Looking For Video Playback Enhancer (or something)

BbWindowsHelpbB · Joined: Jul 07, 2008 Posts: 15

Hi everyone! I bought a Flip UltraHD yesterday, and it seems my computer can't play back the footage. It's really choppy and sometimes the video freezes all together. Is there any program that will allow me to see it smoothly and edit the footage, or is it time for a computer upgrade?

(PS it does the same thing on HD videos on YouTube)

goretsky · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 1:05 am Post subject:

Hello,

Could you describe your computer's specifications in more detail?

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

BbWindowsHelpbB · Joined: Jul 07, 2008 Posts: 15

Hi.
The machine is a compaq sr 1000-v. It's running vista with 1.25 gigs of ram. The video card is an nvidia ge force 6200 oc. The processor is. 2.6 ghz pentium 4. (sorry for the capitalization, i'm typing this on my iPod touch.)
thanks for your help

tbernstein · Joined: May 16, 2003 Posts: 1576 Location: London

goretsky

Hello,

I am having a bit of difficulty finding the exact specifications for your Compaq Presario SR1000V computer. From looking at this page on Hewlett-Packard's web site (the company which owns the Compaq brand) it looks like this is the model number assigned to a customized PC with a 2.8GHz Intel Pentium 4 CPU. I found another page which mentioned a model with a 2.6GHz Intel Celeron CPU, as well.

This computer is five years old (model introduced in 2004) so some upgrades would probably help improve performance.

As tbernstein noted, upgrading the computer to 2GB of RAM would greatly improve the performance of Microsoft Windows Vista on the computer. From the above-mentioned specifications, it appears the computer has two DDR1 memory slots, which I am guessing have a 256MB and a 1GB memory module installed in them. I would recommend replacing the 256MB module with another 1GB module. One thing to keep in mind is that it should be identical to the currently-installed 1GB memory module, i.e., have the same speed and timings. Ideally, you would purchase a new 1GB module that has the same brand/model/part number as the currently-installed one. Failing that, there could be a problem with the new memory module not matching the speed and timings of the old 1GB module. The solution for that particular problem then becomes to replace the old 1GB memory module as well. If you cannot find a new 1GB memory module that is identical to the old one, then you may want to consider buying a kit with two identical 1GB memory modules in it that work with your computer.

The other other upgrade to consider is a new video card. The nVidia 6200-series is a value-oriented video card and not intended for uses like video editing or computer gaming. The aforementioned specifications state that your computer has only older PCI expansion slot and not a dedicated AGP expansion slot for a video card, or the newer PCIe (PCI Extended) expansion slots. There are a few manufacturers who still make PCI video cards, but these tend to be at value end of the performance spectrum and there may not be any manufactured that can improve graphics performance enough to allow you play back and edit video footage from your Flip UltraHD camera. Still you might get lucky and find something. You could also try contacting Pure Digital, the company that makes The Flip camera line and see if they have any recommendations for a specific PCI video card.

I did do a search of Pure Digital's support web site, and came across this page which gives the minimum specifications to run the software for the cameras. They did not have the UltraHD listed, but did have the MimeoHD listed, which is an older model. It requires a minimum of a 3.0GHz Intel Pentium 4 (or a 1.66GHz Intel Core Duo) processor, so perhaps it might be time to purchase a newer computer.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

BbWindowsHelpbB · Joined: Jul 07, 2008 Posts: 15

Ok.. I was thinking about upgrading to this laptop anyway. It's a toshiba satellite P500. these are the specs i have it set at, what do you think?
the laptop is listed at http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/cdetland.to?poid=446072

* Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T6500 (2.1GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
* Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium (SP1, 64-bit version)
* Fusion Finish™ Sonic Pattern in Black Onyx
* Glossy Black US LED Backlight Keyboard
* 2GB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz SDRAM (2048MBx1)
* ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD4650 with 1GB DDR3 discrete graphics
plus 254MB-1278MB shared memory using ATI HyperMemory™ technology
* 250GB HDD (5400rpm, Serial-ATA)
* Lithium Ion battery (6-Cell, 4000mAh)
* 1 Year Standard Limited Warranty

goretsky

Hello

I think that Toshiba notebook would work quite well, however, you might want to consider adding more memory, if possible. That will help with the video editing, as the more RAM that is installed, the more video can be held in RAM.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

BbWindowsHelpbB · Joined: Jul 07, 2008 Posts: 15

Would 6 gigs be enough =P. DO you think it would be cheaper to add the new ram myself or have it built with say 4 or 6 gigs?

goretsky

Hello,

I would think 4GB, however, 6GB would probably be even better. It has been many years since I've worked on a Toshiba computer, so it would probably be best to look at the costs of doing it yourself (including the steps to install the RAM) versus having it installed and determine if that is an acceptable price

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky
.