after i read all of the replies to my problem with Dell, I realized how many
expert people there are out here. Dell calls me again to tell me how they
were wrong and u can have a DVD with a SCSI2 HD but with software decoding.
They also said that DVD with hardware decoding would probably work but they
can't garantee 100% so they won't ship me on with it. So i was just thinking
of getting the computer with the CD-R and then add a DVD myself. I wanted to
know what is the most RELIABLE DVD and u will be using DVDs mainly for
watching movies on my computer so are DVDs without a decoder much worse
quality? I am sure u guys will be able to tell me cause so many of u built
your computer by yourselves so.
Schumacher
You need hardware decoding, otherwise it will be much worse and you computer
will suffer from having to do everything by its self. I don't really know
that much about the decoders, but I think that most good DVD-Roms come with
one and you just pop it in connect it to the DVD and you are gold. One
question I would like to know, why do you need SCSI? It is fast and all, but
extremelly expensive.
-Stuart Becktell
I am running DVD with software on a PII 450 with 128 MB ram. I have yet to
have a problem with the software solution. I even tried a hardware decoder
card and it did nothing better then the software so I took it back.
--
Jeff Murchison JR
Screamers League Administrator
http://members.tripod.com/grandprixlegends
> You need hardware decoding, otherwise it will be much worse and you
computer
> will suffer from having to do everything by its self. I don't really know
> that much about the decoders, but I think that most good DVD-Roms come
with
> one and you just pop it in connect it to the DVD and you are gold. One
> question I would like to know, why do you need SCSI? It is fast and all,
but
> extremelly expensive.
> -Stuart Becktell
> > after i read all of the replies to my problem with Dell, I realized how
> many
> > expert people there are out here. Dell calls me again to tell me how
they
> > were wrong and u can have a DVD with a SCSI2 HD but with software
> decoding.
> > They also said that DVD with hardware decoding would probably work but
> they
> > can't garantee 100% so they won't ship me on with it. So i was just
> thinking
> > of getting the computer with the CD-R and then add a DVD myself. I
wanted
> to
> > know what is the most RELIABLE DVD and u will be using DVDs mainly for
> > watching movies on my computer so are DVDs without a decoder much worse
> > quality? I am sure u guys will be able to tell me cause so many of u
built
> > your computer by yourselves so.
> > Schumacher
Schumacher
I built a second PC for media only (DVD, MPEG3, etc..) and it sits next to my
TV.
The way I went for DVD was the HiVal kit. The kit I purchased had the Toshiba
DVD , with the Hollywood + decoder card. Very nice DVD setup. The Hollywood is
considered the best all around decoder card on the market.. With the hardware
decoder your CPU will run around 5% busy watching DVD. The card does most of
the work. Running software decoding your CPU will be blitzed.
I have read negative posts on the creative DX5 encoder, but the creative DVD
drive is supposed to be one of the better ones. If I did it over I would
probably buy the Creative DVD, and then purchase the Hollywood + card separate.
But then again I have had no problems with the Toshiba, and it reads every
format. CD, CD-audio, CD-r, and CDRW, and of course DVD. This setup is running
through an Yamaha AC-3 receiver via the creative LIVE card using the digital out
on the live daughter card. I am using S-Video from the decoder card to my TV.
Extremely happy with the results using the Toshiba\Hollywood +.
Have fun.
Rick
