MM2 Playback Issue...

[Harry]

I successfully captured/created/edited/produced/burned a
10 minute movie to CD using MM2, but the PC locks up
(randomly) during playback... so I tried running it on my
wife's (2 year older) PC, and it runs perfectly
everytime !!!

After reviewing most of PapaJohn's debug stuff I'm
thinking I might have a codec problem, since both PC's
have the same set of codec files in the same order --
EXCEPT that her PC has an additional one, 6th from the
top of the list (the last one below):

iccvid.dll
Indeo video 5.10
ir32_32.dll
ir41_32.ax
iyuv_32.dll
LEAD MCMP/MJPEG codec (VFW)

Is there reason to believe that the "(VFW)" codec file
might be the difference here ?

If so, how do obtain/install such a file ?

Harry

 

[Harry]

I should have profiled the two PC's. The one having the
problem is:

2.6GHz P-4; 512MB RAM; 120MB SATA HD; HP cd/dvd300i burner

the "good" one is:

1.3GHz P-4; 512MB RAM; 120MB SATA HD; HP cd burner

Also, the "good" one has the faster FSD RAM (800MHz) vs
the "bad" one's 400MHz... not sure if this matters.
Finally, all drive channels are set to "DMA if available".

Harry

 

[PapaJohn \(MVP\)]

Harry,

Are you playing the movie file from the CD on both, or did you copy it to
the hard drive and are playing it there? If it's playing from the CD, you
might try it on the hard drives.

PapaJohn

 

[Harry]

PJ

Yes -- from the CD itself. I'll try it from the HD and
let you know... so, I take it that the "VFW" codec did
not look suspicious ?

Harry

 

[Harry]

PJ

I tried it from the HD and got the same result -- only
quicker (???)

If you don't think the "missing" codec file could be an
issue, do you think that the "accelerator" bug might be
biting me ?

The graphics card on the "bad" PC is an ATI 7000/64MB and
the one on the "Good" PC is an nVidia TNT Pro/32MB.

Harry

 

[PapaJohn \(MVP\)]

It can't hurt to add a codec and see if it helps, but I thought getting a
bit more info about the file you were having problems with would help,
before concluding or changing anything.... what are the properties of the
WMV file?

PapaJohn

 

[Harry]

PJ

Aaaaa-pparently ("he sez"), the problem vanished when I
followed up with the advice on your website re:
the "accelerator" setting -- set that puppy at "3" (was
on "6") and everything seems to work just fine.

Harry

ps: screw the "PJ bashers", keep up the good work

 

[PapaJohn \(MVP\)]

So maybe your Direct X version is the thing to zero in on for now, as
upgrading it let me turn the acceleration back up to full from 3 when I had
the problem with my older desktop.

Just set a restore point first if you upgrade it.

PapaJohn

 

[Harry]

PJ

I just did a Microsoft Update check and it did not
recommend any DirectX updates -- is there a quick way to
tell what I do have for DirectX at this point, since the
download looks like it could be huge ???

Harry

 

[PapaJohn \(MVP\)]

Harry,

Run Start > type in dxdiag and press enter

That'll start the diagnostic tool that's in Windows XP.

The current version of Direct X is on the first page (I'm looking at DirectX
9.0b (4.09.0000.0902) now, on the desktop that I had a long-standing issue
with. The various tests will also help you assess your system.

You could run your system a bit the way it is and go back later to do the
update.... but the test and version check will help you know how your system
is working.


PapaJohn

 

[Harry]

PJ

Thanks -- looks like I'm all set, it says:

DirectX v9.0b 4.09.0000.0902

Harry