Specs Req'd for DVD and TV Playback on Laptop

  • Thread starter Thread starter SandS
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SandS

I'm after a secondhand laptop which would be useful if it could
play DVD movies and possibly use a USB TV adaptor.
Does anyone know the minimum recommended spec for these functions
in terms of Processor Speed/memory capacity/video memory ?

Thank you,
Steve
 
I'm after a secondhand laptop which would be useful if it could
play DVD movies and possibly use a USB TV adaptor.
Does anyone know the minimum recommended spec for these functions
in terms of Processor Speed/memory capacity/video memory ?

Thank you,
Steve
Click to expand...

DVD playback will require less CPU overhead of the video adapter has
hardware MPEG decoding. On a relatively old laptop that would be more
commonly seen on an ATI display adapter, relatively old meaning
pre-600MHz. If this hardware MPEG decoding is present then you could get
by with (roughly) a 400MHz P2, 533MHz K6-2, 450MHz K6-3. If the hardware
decoding isn't present then add an additional ~200MHz of CPU speed,
putting it into the range of a P3 or 600+ MHz Celeron.

If the display adapter is using shared system memory, smooth playback may
require a CPU using 100MHz memory bus (typically derived from a CPU having
at least 100MHz FSB). Then there's resolution... a (relative to the time)
high-res 15" screen running at 1024x will need faster integrated video,
100MHz memory may be marginal for that. Stepping forward a bit in time, a
system with roughly 800MHz or faster CPU should have all specs needed for
DVD playback, though with any system you need make sure the ATAPI (DVD)
drive is using DMA, the typical/correct config for any system.

A USB TV adapter typically take median resolution and converts to
mid-quality MPEG. Similar specs are needed as for DVD playback, since the
USB is an overhead but the resolution is lower. Primary consideration is
still ~400MHz CPU and hardware MPEG decoding, preferribly with 100MHz
FSB/Memory bus. Frankly anything older that that isn't even worth
considering for a variety of reasons unless you already had the laptop, by
that age they've had a lot of wear.
 
SandS said:
I'm after a secondhand laptop which would be useful if it could
play DVD movies and possibly use a USB TV adaptor.
Does anyone know the minimum recommended spec for these functions
in terms of Processor Speed/memory capacity/video memory ?
Click to expand...

Your setting yourself up for some disappointment...

- USB video in products produce low grade pictures.
- Laptops that can produce good TV/DVD output aren't going to be cheap
- Upgrades or repairs (especially if you use the DVD drive a lot) are
expensive.

For <$400 you can buy a whole PC that is not out of date and will do what
you need easily.
 
kony said:
DVD playback will require less CPU overhead of the video adapter has
hardware MPEG decoding. On a relatively old laptop that would be more
commonly seen on an ATI display adapter, relatively old meaning
pre-600MHz. If this hardware MPEG decoding is present then you could get
by with (roughly) a 400MHz P2, 533MHz K6-2, 450MHz K6-3. If the hardware
decoding isn't present then add an additional ~200MHz of CPU speed,
putting it into the range of a P3 or 600+ MHz Celeron.

If the display adapter is using shared system memory, smooth playback may
require a CPU using 100MHz memory bus (typically derived from a CPU having
at least 100MHz FSB). Then there's resolution... a (relative to the time)
high-res 15" screen running at 1024x will need faster integrated video,
100MHz memory may be marginal for that. Stepping forward a bit in time, a
system with roughly 800MHz or faster CPU should have all specs needed for
DVD playback, though with any system you need make sure the ATAPI (DVD)
drive is using DMA, the typical/correct config for any system.

A USB TV adapter typically take median resolution and converts to
mid-quality MPEG. Similar specs are needed as for DVD playback, since the
USB is an overhead but the resolution is lower. Primary consideration is
still ~400MHz CPU and hardware MPEG decoding, preferribly with 100MHz
FSB/Memory bus. Frankly anything older that that isn't even worth
considering for a variety of reasons unless you already had the laptop, by
that age they've had a lot of wear.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the really detailed and helpful reply.
Thanks also to the other responder. The reason for going the
laptop route was to use it away from home a lot.
Thanks again, much appreciated.
Steve
 
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