Video Card issues

[Kwyjibo]

Seems all I get to do on these boards anymore is bitch about computer problems... Nonetheless, here's the latest.

I have a <1 year old 2.2 Ghz Sony Vaio running XP. It even has the fancy DVD-R drive. But here's the problem, if I try to watch DVDs on it, they're herky-jerky, both video and sound, unless I minimize, and watch in a tiny window. What's up with that? Even the startup fade in from black to the Windows XP startup screen isn't fluid.

Now, in order to complicate things, here's what I may have done to make this a problem. When I first bought the machine I also purchased an ATI all-in-wonder capture card, which I installed. I remember the installation working OK, but there was some kind of error... which I'll be damned if I can recall now. The new video card worked basically OK (as a video card anyway) so I never really thought much about it. It didn't really take me long to realize that the capture functions of the card didn't do anything remotely resembling capturing watchable video, so I promptly pulled it out (at the advice of board members) and took it back.

I had had the computer about three days when I put in the capture card, so I couldn't really tell you if the machine played DVDs or other video OK before I put in the capture card. I will say though, that I know people with lesser equipment that don't have these problems watching DVDs.

Why won't my $2K computer do what a $100 DVD player is capable of? This baffles me. I'm really interested in attempting another caption card in the future, but I'd really like to iron this out first. Any help greatly appreciated.

[DogStarMan]

My advice would be to put your computer in a box and mail it to me. Then, never touch another computer again. :p

What kind of video card is in there now? Does it have the newest drivers? Have you run Windows Update recently? Details man, I want details!

[Kwyjibo]

I used to not be such an idiot with these things, you know, before I'd had sex, but it doesn't seem as important anymore. Hand>bite>feed...

moving on...

The video card there now, is whatever came with the machine. Here's the specs on my machine, including video etc. http://www.ita.sel.sony.com/support/pc/!especs/RX770/specifications.htm

Actually 32MB for graphics seems a little low doesn't it?

Newest Drivers? Shouldn't a top of the line (at the time) Sony Vaio be able to play DVDs without updated drivers? No, I seldom mess with such things, because I'm afraid of fucking something up. I did get the last Windows patch because of that stupid Blaster worm. What should I be looking for?

Tell me exactly what info you need, and I'll find it. Thanks a lot for the help.


BTW, I've been poking around with some not particularly helpful support sites, and one thing rings a bell. I believe the error I got when installing the ATI card had to do with not being able to update the DMA... or something to that effect. Which is probably the achillies heal of the whole thing right?

[RichmondVA]

It's not that you need the newest driver, it's that you need the CORRECT driver.

I'm guessing that when you pulled your video card and installed that ATI graphics card, Plug and Play switched your driver over to your new card. But when you switched back to the original card, your driver didn't switch back. The ATI card may also have changed your resolution and some other graphics features automatically that also have not been readjusted.

The reason for this is that the makers of your original card probably had in mind that the card would come with original machines, so they didn't pay as much attention to the plug and play stuff or installation software support.

[DogStarMan]

Originally posted by Kwyjibo
Actually 32MB for graphics seems a little low doesn't it?

Newest Drivers? Shouldn't a top of the line (at the time) Sony Vaio be able to play DVDs without updated drivers?
32 MB ain't too bad for a generic card. It's like TNT level. The reason I asked about drivers is because when you installed the ATI drivers, they might have overwritten your old ones or messed 'em up somehow. That extra bit about DMA is helpful. You might want to go into your Device Manager and look at the properties of your DVD player and see if there is a setting you can change to enable DMA. This might improve things.

I did find a Sony driver update and knowledge base site at: http://ciscdb.sel.sony.com/cgi-bin/select-p-n.pl

...so you might want to look there.

[Kwyjibo]

Thanks guys.
I'll give these a try when I get home.

And, I tried the knowledge base thing and didn't find it very helpful.

I also have to give MAD props to Juliana for posting these under my stupid username that is, as we all know, impossible to remember to spell, unless you're me and a complete and total nerd *pushes up glasses* especially since she keeps having to log in and out of her wickedly awesome username, and then having to deal with the ugly hard to read dark background that hurts her eyes with it's ugly dark hard to read-ness...

[pathogen.b]

SiS 650 integrated graphics

did you disable the integrated graphics when you dropped the all-in-wonder card into your machine? and if so, did you reverse that once the card was pulled out? i don't know much about "integrated" graphics, but i've read a horror story or two about trying to drop a graphics card into a machine using a graphics chipset. do you still have Sony tech support?

[Kwyjibo]

Yep, turned them both off before switching to the other. I had the
wherewithall to do that much anyway.

Horror stories eh? Every story I hear about capture cards gives me a headache, even the ones where they work... so I wouldn't be surprised.

You really wouldn't think it'd be this difficult, or expensive to make a computer capable of providing the same functions as a $50 VCR, but apparently, it is.


I forgot to add before that Juliana is even more rad than I let on, becuase I forgot that she has to reformat the stuff I email to her, because one of our programs adds in line breaks for no reason

[Kwyjibo]

Originally posted by Kwyjibo


I also have to give MAD props to Juliana for posting these under my stupid username that is, as we all know, impossible to remember to spell, unless you're me and a complete and total nerd *pushes up glasses* especially since she keeps having to log in and out of her wickedly awesome username, and then having to deal with the ugly hard to read dark background that hurts her eyes with it's ugly dark hard to read-ness...

Ahem, yes, mad props... wickedly awesome... etc... etc... *adjusts pocket protector* Somebody thinks they're funny.

I think I've got the problem under control... it was a pretty stupid thing. I'm working downloading updates and such at the moment, so I'll have to come back in with a full explanation of my stupidity tomorrow.

[Juliana]

Originally posted by Kwyjibo


I'll have to come back in with a full explanation of my stupidity tomorrow.


This should be good.

[Kwyjibo]

OK, just because I feel bad for ripping on DSM so badly elsewhere... I'll admit my stupidity.

I didn't reactivate the integrated graphics chipset. There, are you happy?

Playing DVD's on it, while no longer jerky, aren't exactly crystal clear either. They've got a little bit of fuzz to them.

So here's a question. Can you get a video capture card that doesn't also replace your video card? I just want to convert some VHS to DVD, and maybe use the Tivo type function they offer.

If I have to get one that doubles as a video card... what do you all recommend?

[RichmondVA]

They have video capture cards and external devices for $50.00. Not sure about the quality.

I got a TigerDirect catalog the other day that had a $20.00 cable. It's basically an RCA plug on one end and USB on the other, and some software. That seemed awfully cheap so maybe it doesn't do what I think it does. And TigerDirect isn't the most reputable parts dealer around. But for $20.00 it's worth a shot or at least a closer look-see.