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    inspiron 1420 webcam problems

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Kusbit6600, Mar 15, 2008.

  1. Kusbit6600

    Kusbit6600 Newbie

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    I just got my new Inspiron 1420 a week ago. I really like it, but I am having some issues with the webcam. When I try to record video, it is all choppy and the audio doesn't match up. I contacted tech support and he did remote access. The guy reinstalled the drives, changed the resolution and other settings, but nothing changed. He told me that it is working fine and that if I want better quality then I should buy an external webcam!
    I know other laptop webcams work better. Do I just have a lemon? Also, I was looking around online and I read that I heard you get better quality if you don't use Dell's recording software. Does anybody know of any other webcam recording software I could use?
    If that is how the webcam is, then I might return the laptop. I might get a macbook, but I'm not sure I want to switch OSes.

    Dell Inspiron 1420
    Core 2 Duo T8300 2.4ghz
    2.5gb ram
    250gb hd
    geforce 8400gs 128mb
    intel 4965 wifi-n
    2mp webcam
    9-cell battery
    WXGA+ 1440x900
     
    Kusbit6600, Mar 15, 2008
    #1
  2. SmoothTofu

    SmoothTofu Inspiron 1420 Owner

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    It shouldn't be like that. My webcam is smooth and gives me a constant 30 fps at 800x600 resolution. It looks like a driver problem, have you tried uninstalling your current sound drivers and using these ones:

    http://ftp.us.dell.com/audio/R157031.EXE
     
    SmoothTofu, Mar 15, 2008
    #2
  3. pixelot

    pixelot Notebook Acolyte

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    I should re-install the Dell software and check what it's like. You got me curious now....
     
    pixelot, Mar 15, 2008
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  4. Kusbit6600

    Kusbit6600 Newbie

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    I tried uninstalling the sound drivers and using the ones posted but nothing changed. Right now I am reinstalling the software and webcam drivers. I'll post and update when I'm done.
     
    Kusbit6600, Mar 15, 2008
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  5. Kusbit6600

    Kusbit6600 Newbie

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    When I uninstalled the Dell webcam software the framrate seemed to increase when I used Roxio (came prinstalled). However Roxio has trouble recording the video (says it gets no signal after 5 secs of recording). I reinstalled the Dell software and the frame rate is still crappy.
     
    Kusbit6600, Mar 15, 2008
    #5
  6. Kusbit6600

    Kusbit6600 Newbie

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    Okay I called tech support again and I got the same answer. They say nothing is wrong with it.
     
    Kusbit6600, Mar 15, 2008
    #6