Struggling with a CF-29 what do i need for video playback

Hi,

I bought a CF-29 for the kids to watch DVD and Video online but playback is glitchy as hell. (CF-29L3Q71BE Pentium M 1.6GHz, 1536MB RAM running Windows 7 Home Premium SP1)

On task manager i see the CPU flatlines at 100% usage trying to watch HD video, the VOD channels barely work at all. Is there anything i can do or do I need to upgrade?

Its for toddlers and i don't want to spend much so anyone know what the minimum spec i can get away with on a CF30 i guess?

Any thoughts appreciated

Thanks

 

Well,
Does the CF29 screen have HD resolution?
Do you need Win7 to run videos?
Have you replaced the thermal pads on the CPU and GPU?

I would go with a Linux setup that uses less memory and CPU....
I suggest you go here and join....Lots of good help...
http://www.toughbooktalk.com/viewforum.php?f=39

 

codecguide.com
Download and install K-lite codec pack with MPC-HC player.
Run MPC-HC, associate it with video playback. Go to Options - Playback - Output. Check the video renderer is Enhanced Video Renderer.
Maybe this will help you
And do not try to play FHD videos - there is no sense (your screen is not even HD) and no hardware capabilities.
Remember, DO NOT DISASSEMBLE this laptop if it works

 

Thanks for the ideas

The max screen resolution is 1024x768

for example the BBC iplayer standard definition flash video is 832x468 at 1500kbps and it maxes the CPU, it drops half the frames and audio is out of sync. It used to work ok i think so i guess as the websites increase their video quality i have to up spec to keep up.

Interesting idea to try Linux but i really don't have the time to learn something new and just need a basic thing for the kids

I installed K-lite and MPC-HC, checked settings, associated it and it works for downloaded 720p video. Where VLC couldn't deliver it so that's a big help thanks. It's still 100% CPU but it works.

using the MPC to play 480p video the CPU is pretty steady around 50-60% when its in a window and much more unstable but between 60-100% when maximised. I guess delivering the image at a non-native resolution is where the CPU gets used?

But no surprise VOD is still overpowering the old girl on the lowest available setting.

Is there a minimalist flash video plug in for a minimalist browser?

 

No.

It's the same from cold, not totally sure if that proves anything one way or another though as don't know how quickly heat becomes an issue

 

Try potplayer instead of vlc..vlc has issues lately.....
Dont need to learn much for linux just to play videos.

 

It's for the kids so better keep them on Windows until they learn how to use it. Schools still on Windows i think. Oldest is only 6.

The laptop's not only for video (first post a bit misleading on that sorry) but that's the problem thing

Could anything like VLC be interfering with the flash browser plug in? I've tried different browsers and no joy

 

That machine will run 2 gb ram if it's an L3.

3 = no touchscreen unless one was added.

Not sure if your model number is from the bios.???or the label.

 

I was hoping you were lurking about somewhere..

 

Number is from BIOS and non-touchscreen. It was a wiped machine with a fresh Win 7 install and barely any other programs installed.

According to the performance monitor it seems to have plenty of RAM to spare but maxes out the CPU, could more ram somehow help?

It's Adobe being a system hog again isn't it. I hated their PDF reader for that and now their flash is rendering my not that old machine defunct.

I'm resigned to getting a CF-30 to get a faster processor unless you can think of something else to try. Not too bothered about it but want to be sure the one i get won't suffer the same problem.

 

Did you use Panasonic drivers?

 

Drivers were ready installed. I bought it from a ebay reseller of recycled ex-corporate laptops. Doesn't show any driver issues but could be less than optimal drivers i guess... i'll look into it. Any hint on which driver to start with?

 

here is a search to start you out...

https://www.google.com/search?num=2....msedr...0...1c.1.62.serp..11.0.0.EVzv0ck9coQ

 

I wasn't lurking ....I was doing my taxes.....and making traditional sourdough English muffins and fry bread pizza.
Which I am eating now.
OP...You really need to check the ram and always remember.....as Shawn said, kinda, heat is your enemy.
Pull the bottom case and at least "squish" the pads on the cpu. If they look good....leave 'em alone.
The best of the best to you,

Jeff

 

hmmm ... a little logical path following ...
my '30 runs at the same speed . i use VLC ... 2 gigs of ram and vista(less) ... nothing fancy .
i watch "netflix" and have no problem with dropped frames , etc .
well , i should say *almost* no problems ...
when i was working on adding a couple of items internally , i did not put all the screws back in the bottom (in a hurry - testing) .
the machine seemed to function ok ... but after a while the video started lagging ... uuuggghhh .
i had no video problems previously , soooo ... i figured it must have *something* to do with the recent work i had done .
(shutting the machine down for a bit returned video functionality , only to have it fail again)
since what i done had nothing to do with the video , i thought : "thermal fold-back" .
i did not bother to check the CPU and GPU temps , but immediately pulled the bottom off and re-gooped the cooler pads and put all the screws back in the bottom .
success ! the video played right along .
i could trigger the thermal fold-back by *insulating* the bottom .

there is a thread that mentions gooping the heat-pipe/bottom channel interface ... easy enough to do .
remove the heat-pipe and goop up the channel and then replace the heat-pipe and peen/dimple the channel edge in many places .

still , there is a limit to how fast/much the cpu and gpu can "handle" .
it may be that the horse is just too small to pull the wagon in certain cases .

 

I do have a CF52A that has the dedicated ATI video I can set you up with..
It should play videos without any issues...Semi rugged..15" screen...PM me if you're interested.

 

I was going to suggest a CF-51 but the 52 that Shawn has will work great,high def screen and good graphics.

 

My first ToughBook was a CF-29 MK2. This link might help you:
http://www.codecguide.com/
But I will tell you hands down, that if you are just surfing the Net and watching movies and maybe doing Email and Word processing, you should try this:
http://www.mepiscommunity.org/mx
You will NOT be sorry, as you can then stream Netflix seamlesssly and do all of the above without problems.....you will need to install the system using a cd or usb....I can help you or others will also if needed. Just ask...Linux will set you free, unless you want to buy a nicer toughbook for a couple of hundred dollars and use Windows7, BUT if you do that, Linux willl be your friend again...

 

slightly off-topic but still relevant ...
@ UNCNDL1 :
is the *issue* of netflix not working without silverlight and being run on a 'nix system been resolved without a bunch of hoop-jumping that may or may not work ?
in other words , can one stream netflix on a 'nix system with what is normally installed ?

 

Yes CWB, using the newest version of MX-14, their package installer makes it very easy and does all the work if you'd like to add Netflix. You can even make a bootable usb drive and run it in Persistence, and then add the package needed. You would just need to watch two video tutorials and you'd be there in no time. Then you can boot the usb up on any other computer and just run it from the usb drive if you'd rather not install the distribution on your computer.

 

cool ... i'll give it a try ...
no problem loading the distro on a box ... plenty of them sitting around .
thanks !

 

well just to complete the thread i decided the toddlers need fully rugged still and i just ordered a clean looking CF30-KCPTQ3M with an emissive KB, Win7, 4gb/160gb/Gobi/GPS/BT 7000 hours for $308 inc shipping and taxes to UK which seems a good deal. Model number suggests it should have a touchscreen (and the picture shows a pen and tether) but listing says it's not working. Will investigate when it arrives but i'm not too worried about that. Just need to buy a DVD drive and i'm set. Works out at least $150 less than i could have bought it in the UK.

It's similar spec to my CF-19 mk3 so should be enough horse to pull the wagon now. Thanks for your suggestions

And thanks Shawn for idea of CF-52, i always forget the semi-ruggeds but my wife needs a new laptop so i'm looking out for a CF-53 (need emissive kb) which will suit her fine and give some protection for when the kids break into our room and trash the place like meth addled burglars.

 

That CF30 sounds like a great deal for a fully loaded unit..
Fully rugged was the correct way to go.

 

Yes they test these laptops ruggedness to a higher degree than the military. I'm not going to leave the wwan antenna in this time, they ripped out the CF-29 one in quick time. I'm just a bit worried about the GPS antenna, it looks a bit vulnerable sticking out from the screen case.

 

speaking of meth labs ...

 

here is the trick setup. The GPS antenna is the square cube. 1cm square...Taoglas AP.10F.07.0039B

 

The stock GPS antenna is real sturdy,they would be hard pressed to break it and not wreck a lot more.