Playback of DVDs is horrible.

[rbwent]

Hello,

I don't know if this falls under a Roxio question or just my computer settings, but I don't know who else to ask. When I put in a DVD (not one that I've created, but a movie that I've bought) it plays fine picture-wise, but I get an absolute horrible audio which blips as if the computer is trying to process something and it's taking away from the audio quality in order to do so. It doesn't matter which DVD player I use--such as Sonic Cineplayer--the audio still is bad. I'm sure it's my computer, but I don't think that it's because my computer is too slow to play professional movies effectively. It must be a setting? I've got 512MB of RAM if that counts for anything...Thanks for any replys.

[Beerman]

Hello,

I don't know if this falls under a Roxio question or just my computer settings, but I don't know who else to ask. When I put in a DVD (not one that I've created, but a movie that I've bought) it plays fine picture-wise, but I get an absolute horrible audio which blips as if the computer is trying to process something and it's taking away from the audio quality in order to do so. It doesn't matter which DVD player I use--such as Sonic Cineplayer--the audio still is bad. I'm sure it's my computer, but I don't think that it's because my computer is too slow to play professional movies effectively. It must be a setting? I've got 512MB of RAM if that counts for anything...Thanks for any replys.

Do you have a stand alone dvd player you can test it in to see if it might be a problem with the disc itself. While 512 of ram is not the best, it is enough to play a dvd. It could also be the dvd drive itself that is bad. It's hard to tell.

[d_deweywright]

Do you have a stand alone dvd player you can test it in to see if it might be a problem with the disc itself. While 512 of ram is not the best, it is enough to play a dvd. It could also be the dvd drive itself that is bad. It's hard to tell.

And too, I could have 512MB RAM in an 800MHz machine, with an 8MB video card that has no clue about supporting DirectX 9.0c. Give us the rest of your computer specs too, processor, video card, version of Windows, sound card... etc. (Of course, you wouldn't be getting any video with such a system... but you get the idea.)

[REDWAGON]

What type of program do you have on your computer that you are using when you are trying to play the DVD ? Although it shouldn't matter, but is your computers sound capabilities from an integrated chip on the motherboard or do you have a specific sound card ? And you suggest "blips" as the background noise you are getting. Can you describe that a little more ?

[rbwent]

And too, I could have 512MB RAM in an 800MHz machine, with an 8MB video card that has no clue about supporting DirectX 9.0c. Give us the rest of your computer specs too, processor, video card, version of Windows, sound card... etc. (Of course, you wouldn't be getting any video with such a system... but you get the idea.)

Umm...Wow. I don't really know much about the specs of my computer...Intel Pentium 4 CPU, 1.60GHz, Windows XP Home Edition 2002. My playback sound device is SoundMAX Digital Audio. I don't know much about the sound card, but I'm wondering something...Do you think my problem might have to do with the speaker settings? I have 5.1 Dolby surround speaker hooked up to my computer (which is one reason I want to watch movies on it) and the speaker settings are set to "Monitor Stand Stereo Speakers" and there is a setting for 5.1 speakers... Don't know if any of this helps even remotely, but I'll keep working at it.

 

What type of program do you have on your computer that you are using when you are trying to play the DVD ? Although it shouldn't matter, but is your computers sound capabilities from an integrated chip on the motherboard or do you have a specific sound card ? And you suggest "blips" as the background noise you are getting. Can you describe that a little more ?

Yes I can...When I watch the movie, every 5 seconds or so, the sound alters very insignificantly, but quite noticeably. Actually the video picture quality seems to "skip" or slow down for that brief period of time as well.

 

I use whatever DVD playback program I can find...Sonic Cineplayer is what I'm currently using. I believe the sound comes from an integrated chip on the motherboard...Which is better right?

Thanks.

[tbrewst]

Switch your settings to 5.1.In the control panel in Windows also make sure the speaker setting is set to 5.1. Also make sure that you have the microphone muted along with the line in just in case they're picking something up.

[rbwent]

Switch your settings to 5.1.In the control panel in Windows also make sure the speaker setting is set to 5.1. Also make sure that you have the microphone muted along with the line in just in case they're picking something up.

I did all that and I don't think that it worked...Thank you anyway.

By the way, ask a dumb question, but how do I check my video/sound card information, because that would help me answer a few things. Thanks.

[REDWAGON]

Not sure what kind of "checks" you want to make on your sound and video cards, but general information can be found by going to START--CONTROL PANEL--SYSTEM--HARDWARE (tab) and DEVICE MANAGER. Once there for your video or display information click on the + next to Display Adapter and then right click on what that briongs up and then click on Properties.

 

For the Sound information, click on the + next to Sound, Video and Game Controllers and then right click on any of the listings and again click on Properties.

 

There are other programs that give more detailed information than MS. The only other MS information other than above is go to START--ALL PROGRAMS--Accessories--System Tools--System Information and find information about your system also.

 

And to answer your question about mother board integrated sound chips being better than a dedicated sound card. The answer is NO. Dedicated sound and video cards are better. The term "Integrated" means that the chip has to share it's usage with other processes.

 

Another question about the problem you are having---Is this unwanted sound or "blips" as you called it intermittent or is a steady controled sound that happens at a regular times ??

[Guest mlpasley]

A useful tool for information about your computer is the Belarc Advisor, available free at : http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

[rbwent]

Not sure what kind of "checks" you want to make on your sound and video cards, but general information can be found by going to START--CONTROL PANEL--SYSTEM--HARDWARE (tab) and DEVICE MANAGER. Once there for your video or display information click on the + next to Display Adapter and then right click on what that briongs up and then click on Properties.

 

For the Sound information, click on the + next to Sound, Video and Game Controllers and then right click on any of the listings and again click on Properties.

 

There are other programs that give more detailed information than MS. The only other MS information other than above is go to START--ALL PROGRAMS--Accessories--System Tools--System Information and find information about your system also.

 

And to answer your question about mother board integrated sound chips being better than a dedicated sound card. The answer is NO. Dedicated sound and video cards are better. The term "Integrated" means that the chip has to share it's usage with other processes.

 

Another question about the problem you are having---Is this unwanted sound or "blips" as you called it intermittent or is a steady controled sound that happens at a regular times ??

 

The "blipping" that occurs is not regular. It is unable to predict when it will happen and it happens so often that watching the movie becomes quite agravating.

 

Would it be a good idea to update my SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio driver? It says I have the 2001 version which may not support DirectX 9.0 if it even has a correlation to it. Just throwing something out...

[d_deweywright]

The "blipping" that occurs is not regular. It is unable to predict when it will happen and it happens so often that watching the movie becomes quite agravating.

 

Would it be a good idea to update my SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio driver? It says I have the 2001 version which may not support DirectX 9.0 if it even has a correlation to it. Just throwing something out...

If there are updated drivers for your SoundMAX, then yes, I would definitely suggest getting them and installing them. At the very least, it shouldn't make things worse.

 

Let us know if it makes a difference.

[rbwent]

If there are updated drivers for your SoundMAX, then yes, I would definitely suggest getting them and installing them. At the very least, it shouldn't make things worse.

 

Let us know if it makes a difference.

 

 

Unfortunately the disk (I have just found out) that I have does not have the latest SoundMAX on it, and their website doesn't appear to have "updates" rather, they have products for purchase...Nothing downloadable.

 

I think I may have dug myself into a large hole with this problem.

[d_deweywright]

Unfortunately the disk (I have just found out) that I have does not have the latest SoundMAX on it, and their website doesn't appear to have "updates" rather, they have products for purchase...Nothing downloadable.

 

I think I may have dug myself into a large hole with this problem.

Check the manufacturer of your motherboard or system manufacturer, not the SoundMAX site for drivers.

[rbwent]

Check the manufacturer of your motherboard or system manufacturer, not the SoundMAX site for drivers.

 

Okay, I've spent countless hours working with this, and the fix seems to have been much, MUCH easier than all of this discussion...I simply uninstalled SoundMAX and reinstalled it, and now NO BLIPS!!! I'm so relieved to have had it work. Thank you all so much for your support...

 

And thank you God.

 

(Okay, maybe I'm making a big deal out of this...but wow, it's great to have it working!)

[d_deweywright]

Okay, I've spent countless hours working with this, and the fix seems to have been much, MUCH easier than all of this discussion...I simply uninstalled SoundMAX and reinstalled it, and now NO BLIPS!!! I'm so relieved to have had it work. Thank you all so much for your support...

 

And thank you God.

 

(Okay, maybe I'm making a big deal out of this...but wow, it's great to have it working!)

Glad you got it working!