Speaking of DVDs.. questions..

[oxOGradiusOxo]

I've got a little extra cash in my pocket, and the one thing I've been wanting to upgrade my system to is a DVD player. However, EVERYWHERE I look on the internet all the 8x or higher DVD drives are all sold out.
What does it matter whether I have a 2x,4x,8x,10x DVD? The reason why I ask is because of something Killerbug said in a previous post:
Why would you want one? 2x is about all you need for DVD, 24x for cd, and a 5x dvd should do 24x cd.
It's something I've kinda always wondered, but could never really get a solid answer from anyone. I'm just looking for a DVD that will play DVDs with good picture quality with no skips/delays. Here's my current system setup:

Celeron 366@550 2.0v on Abit BM6
128MB Pc100 SDRAM
Diamond Viper v770 32MB AGP2x

Thanks

[daveleau]

Well under IDEAL situations where the software is written to take advantage of the extra speed, you get faster throughput. In most scenarios, you see little difference.

What do I have in my system? A 5x DVD. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
Dave

[DA]

I have a 10x pioneer and a CL Dxr3 decoder, it runs things sweet...

I would say go for 4 or 5x minimum, not because a 2x is not fast enough, but because there were alot of problems with the earlier drives. btw - the reason I bought a 10x was cause I got it half-price http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

I think the minimum recommended processor for decent quality software playback is about 350mhz. If the quality is still not good enough, then go the full hog and get a hollywood plus (or CL branded H+ the dxr3).

_____________________________
Dark Angel - www.malice.co.uk (http://www.malice.co.uk)

[chipbgt]

I have a 6x (bought it for 99 bucks, didnt even really consider the speed) and I use my ati card for the decoding. I think 4 or 5 is good enough, theres no real reason to go with a 10x unless its real cheap or your other components are a little weak.

Since loading win2000 I have been without my dvd's http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif hurry up ATI!!!!!

[oxOGradiusOxo]

Good drive or not?

Sony 5X/32X EIDE DVD-Rom Drive
w/ Hollywood Plus Decoder Card

Manufacturer's Part #: DDU220E/K
This product is Brand New in OEM packaging.

Includes:

Sony 5X DVD-ROM drive
Sigma Designs Hollywood Plus MPEG card
Audio and video adapter cables for PC
User manual
Quick Start guide

Do I really need the MPEG card? Can't my v770 do DVD decoding? Of course, I would love the TV-output option.

Thanks


[This message has been edited by oxOGradiusOxo (edited 02-27-2000).]

[Paul V]

Also, a 5x DVD is a 20x CDROM, as I hear it it's exactly 4x...

I have a 6x/24x myself. Works good, but it vibrates a little too much for my liking trying to read some CDRs... My other drive though works fine w/ them.

[sparki]

a 5 or 6 speed is best but make sure you hav e hardware decoding [b]DO NOT TOUCH SOFTWARE DECODERS [b]they are no were near as good.

[markdshark]

Get a slot loading 10x Pioneer 104S for about a hundred chips and flash the firmware with something from www.dvdutils.com (http://www.dvdutils.com)

It's a sweet drive...and you can make it region free.

[Stan]

Well, I almost bought the Sony DDU...
A review about DVD players changed my mind and I bought the Pioneer 103 6x.
One of the good reason was that it is a zone free DVD player.

I play movie with a G400MAX on a PII350, no problem...

Stan

[stu]

How do you make them region free? Can it be done with the Creative drives?

Stu

[markdshark]

well.....the process is very similar to flashing one's bios on the MB.

Essentially you download a file which contains a hacked version of the device's firmware. Then you proceed to replace the existing firmware (kinda like a bios) with this upgraded version.

Go ahead and check out www.dvdutils.com. (http://www.dvdutils.com.) they do have listings of all the dvd players for which there are flash upgrades available.

Oh yeah one more thing. It's not as complicated as it may sound. The whole process is essentially menu driven. Your only real concerns during the process are:

* Make sure you have the right upgrade for your drive (this is clearly specified on the site)

* don't interrupt the process

* follow the handy dandy instructions in the ReadMe file that accompanies the upgrade.

Hmm...this post wouldn't be complete without a word of warning. I have read on the site that if you try and use the wrong upgrade (explicitly by explicitly going against explicit instructions to the contrary ...well then you prolly will end up with a cool 6X paperweight ;-)

G'luck
:-)
Mark

[thekingofpain]

I tried to purchase a Pioneer 104s and was having alot of trouble finding them (very popular, called everywhere I think) Found that HiVal recieved 10,000 of them this week, plus theyre local so I spun by and picked one up, $129...may have spent a couple more dollars, but at least I got it...