sz650+vista business=poor video playback

I just finished setting up my new SZ650. I did the "semi-clean install" and it's working pretty well.

One thing that is very disappointing is video playback. Very choppy...I have installed two codec packs (ffshow and klite) for viewing the AVI's, Xvids, Divx etc but neither is working well

I am coming from a Dell Latitude d820 which had an NVS 120 "512mb" Nvidia (well 256+256), I don't know if that is the reason for the better performance, I would have expected the SZ650 with the newer Santa Rosa+8400 to perform at least as well? I am obviously running on AC, set to "High Performance".

The adapter settings report as follows:

Total avail graphics memory: 831mb
Dedicated Video memory: 64mb
System video memory: 0mb
Shared System Memory: 767mb

I assume there is no way to "play" with these settings...in any case they seem right.

There are no other major processes running (idle is > 90%)

Any ideas? Anyone?

M

 

I'll answer my own question...and this is something ALL SZ6 owners should do:

Head over to www.laptopvideo2go.com in the Release 160 forum and download the 165.01 version of the Nvidia drivers. I couldn't get the "have disk" method of installation to work but running the setup program in the Nvidia folder worked. The result...HUGE improvement in video performance, no more stuttering, much clearer picture. Amazing.

I had forgetten I had done this on my Dell, maybe that is why it was so much better.

Anyhow, this mod apparently unleashes the power of the video card which most manufacturers refuse to do on their mobile chipsets.

HOORAY!

 

Do the 165.01 drivers work better than the new 167.23 drivers? I have HORRIBLE playback on my VGN-AR605E