Video RAM, DVD Playback, etc.

[der King Mongo]

Okay, I haven't really LOOKED, I admit, but what resources exactly does software DVD playback use? I'm helping a friend buy a DELL (I know, boo, hiss, but she needs a monitor and they're so cheap), but the model that she can afford comes with some kind of crummy "integrated video-Intel AGP" that I can't even determine the specs on. Anyone have an idea?

Thanks

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***He who eats when he is full, digs his grave with his teeth***

[ReddDogg]

First of all, Dell is the best computer manufacturer in terms of reliability and dependability. Sure they cost a little bit more, but if I got tired of building my own, Dell would be the company making my computers.

As for Software DVD Playback, what exact software is she using? I mean, i have run DVD on software along, with 32 megs of ram and an 8 meg integrated agp video on a laptop (ok, it is my neighboors) with a 4x dvd rom drive. It ran ok I guess, nothing spectacular.

As far as finding out what video is in the computer, you can either read though all the manuals, or go to dell's homepage, and see if it is listed there, or email or call Dell's number. They are from my experience the best at supporting their products (these are of course amongst major companies in the states, what goes on in rest of the world, I dunno).


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Joe Redd
MCP

[Paleo Pete]

1. Dell makes a pretty good computer, so I've heard. Never saw one in the computer shop where I used to work on Compaq's, Packard Bells, Acers, etc all the time...only ones I never saw were Dell and Gateway.

2. The video adapter should be listed in Device Manager. Never saw one that wasn't anyway...That will give you the resources it uses too. I don't know what resources DVD uses though...

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If you had everything...Where would you put it?

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[der King Mongo]

Wait, she hasn't bought the computer yet! Trust me, I've looked around the website, but for this particular model all it says is "Intel AGP integrated video." You try to find out the specs on that video and it tells you about all the video cards you COULD upgrade to, IF you were going to purchase a different model. *shrug*

The DVD playback software would be whatever the package that comes with the Dell is...I forget... I'm just trying to figure out what resources are needed for optimum playback quality...uh...I guess, on second thought, it wouldn't really require much more than the DVD player and minimum system specs, huh? The person I'm trying to help out is my ex, so I guess in trying to impress her I'm overanlyzing the issue. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

Oh, and I think part of the reason that you don't see Dells in the shop is two-fold (1) they're still largely a business machine (not even in the top 5 for consumer retail, and (2) they all come with next-day on-site service warranties. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

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***He who eats when he is full, digs his grave with his teeth***

[Paleo Pete]

And here I was thinking you already had the machine....

And why do you think Dells are so common for business applications? We worked on plenty business machines too, and anything that comes to a shop is usually out of warranty, or it would be going back to the manufacturer. My first choice is build it myself, but if someone wants to buy a new one, Dell and Gateway are the only two I'd say to bother looking at. All depends on how much garbage they put on it, and I know nothing about what kind of software bundles either company uses.

Anyway, it was simply an observation...after 6 months in a shop, I saw no Dells and only one Gateway, for a memory upgrade, that tells me who makes the ones that stay out of the shop...

As far as resources go, I'd say just make sure it has plenty memory. Most come with 64MB these days, or so I understand, and that should handle it. If in doubt, add 64 more. My P-200 MMX runs about anything I want with 32MB. Scrolling is a bit jerky at times on the net, otherwise, I have no problems. MP3's play well, MPEG and AVI also. Quake II was a bit jerky but I don't have it anymore. Descent and Descent II both work perfect, haven't had a chance to try any of the newer games, too broke...

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If you had everything...Where would you put it?

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[der King Mongo]

Oh, I don't know which is most common for business APPLICATIONS, but I DO know that Dells are primarily PURCHASED by institutions, education & business, rather than by individual consumers. This, of course, is changing, but most computer purchases are still made at brick & mortar stores, so the top sellers to individual consumers are Compaq, HP, and the like.

So, I would guess that I'm in the clear with the DVD, since we're going for the 256MB RAM. I eventually found out what that integrated video was--4MB. Bah. I convinced her to pony up for a different model.

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***He who eats when he is full, digs his grave with his teeth***