Dell Inspiron 1420 playback issues

[mtmw1863]

Sorry if this has already been posted (I search and could not find anything similar). I bought the Dell Inspiron 1420 about 1 month ago but it will not play either Live Free or Die Hard or Close Encounters. I tried a firmware update but none available. Any ideas? Live Free will go to the menu but won't go further when you click on play. CE3K only shows a black screen.

[Kairav]

Go you have enough graphic power to play the new BDs

[w_tanoto]

Originally Posted by mtmw1863

Sorry if this has already been posted (I search and could not find anything similar). I bought the Dell Inspiron 1420 about 1 month ago but it will not play either Live Free or Die Hard or Close Encounters. I tried a firmware update but none available. Any ideas? Live Free will go to the menu but won't go further when you click on play. CE3K only shows a black screen.

could you explain a bit more, like processor, is BD drive originally installed, what program do you use to play BD, what is the graphic card?

[mtmw1863]

The video card is a NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS with 128 MB. I tried to call Dell and they told me I needed an updated videoo card with 256. The problem is that this is the card they sold to go with the laptop. There were no compatibaility issues when I ordered it.

Thanks to all who have tried to helped me.

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by mtmw1863

Sorry if this has already been posted (I search and could not find anything similar). I bought the Dell Inspiron 1420 about 1 month ago but it will not play either Live Free or Die Hard or Close Encounters. I tried a firmware update but none available. Any ideas? Live Free will go to the menu but won't go further when you click on play. CE3K only shows a black screen.

It shouldn't be a firmware update for your drive that you need... just a player update to either PowerDVD BD or WinDVD BD (whichever the Dell uses for playback). It's possible you may still have issues -- I'm not sure if both those software's have fully updated the OEM versions for the latest titles yet.

Originally Posted by Chad

What is wrong with this ridiculous website? There is NO CONTACT info to be found! I cannot post anything in the forum even after registering and activating accordingly, gives me "no permission" nonsense on any forum I try to post at.

You are a new member and can't start threads yet (accept in the Newbie section, I believe). You can post in existing threads. Maybe that's the problem. Otherwise, welcome to the boards!

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by mtmw1863

The video card is a NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS with 128 MB. I tried to call Dell and they told me I needed an updated videoo card with 256. The problem is that this is the card they sold to go with the laptop. There were no compatibaility issues when I ordered it.

Thanks to all who have tried to helped me.

Technically you need 256MB video RAM for BD playback, but Vista should be reallocating standard RAM for that purpose (you have AT LEAST 1 GB, correct)?

As I said in the earlier post, it's likely you just need your playback software updated. If that doesn't work, you might try out different video drivers. Some have been known to cause playback issues.

[mtmw1863]

Originally Posted by JadedRaverLA

Technically you need 256MB video RAM for BD playback, but Vista should be reallocating standard RAM for that purpose (you have AT LEAST 1 GB, correct)?

As I said in the earlier post, it's likely you just need your playback software updated. If that doesn't work, you might try out different video drivers. Some have been known to cause playback issues.

I actually have 3 GB of memory so it should be more than enough to do the trick. The Dell tech was tyring to help me reallocate the memory but really wasn't very helpful. Does Vista do that automatically? Can you recommend where/what I could do to accomplish the update to the system? I am comfortable around computers but would not be classifed as an expert.

[Allin4greeN]

The Dell support forum has people who have been waiting for over two months for updates to PDVD for their XPSm1710's. Most of the folks are convinced it's a firmware issue but, a Dell rep has repeatedly responded that it's a PDVD update issue... I'd guess that anyone with Dell OEM equipment is experiencing the same frustration and am inclined to agree that it's PDVD.

The other thing I'm wondering about has to do with 3Gb as opposed to 2Gb RAM... With 2, your PC would be running in Dual Channel Mode and with 3, it's running in Asymmetric Dual Channel. Not sure how much that impacts BD playback, however. My new Dell 1720 w/BDD is still under the X-mas tree and I can't confirm anything until I get to play with it I also spec'd it out with 3Gb of RAM, before I realized there may be a performance hit.

Could someone react to the RAM question?

EDIT: I took out a small tirade about not having been able to post for several days... looks like I finally made it in!

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by mtmw1863

I actually have 3 GB of memory so it should be more than enough to do the trick. The Dell tech was tyring to help me reallocate the memory but really wasn't very helpful. Does Vista do that automatically?

Unless Dell messed with the settings somewhere, it typically does that automatically. Run DxDiag and check the display tab. You should show plenty of memory available. If all you show is the 128MB, then that could be the problem.

Originally Posted by mtmw1863

Can you recommend where/what I could do to accomplish the update to the system? I am comfortable around computers but would not be classifed as an expert.

It should be as simple as looking within either PowerDVD or WinDVD (whichever the system came with) for the update option. I'd give you a direct link for the download, but I only have the link handy for PowerDVD Ultra... not the various OEM versions. Again, though, they may not have the update you'll need for those titles ready just yet.

Originally Posted by Allin4greeN

The Dell support forum has people who have been waiting for over two months for updates to PDVD for their XPSm1710's. Most of the folks are convinced it's a firmware issue but, a Dell rep has repeatedly responded that it's a PDVD update issue... I'd guess that anyone with Dell OEM equipment is experiencing the same frustration and am inclined to agree that it's PDVD.

The other thing I'm wondering about has to do with 3Gb as opposed to 2Gb RAM... With 2, your PC would be running in Dual Channel Mode and with 3, it's running in Asymmetric Dual Channel. Not sure how much that impacts BD playback, however. My new Dell 1720 w/BDD is still under the X-mas tree and I can't confirm anything until I get to play with it I also spec'd it out with 3Gb of RAM, before I realized there may be a performance hit.

Could someone react to the RAM question?

EDIT: I took out a small tirade about not having been able to post for several days... looks like I finally made it in!

Welcome to the forum. Yeah, it shouldn't have anything to do with drive firmware... most all of the protection/issues with playback can be linked back to the software player. I didn't realize everyone had been waiting so long... that's fairly ridiculous.

As for 3GB vs. 2GB, it should work out about the same overall (although 3 GB would be better if you run Photoshop or other programs that devour RAM). You'll lose a little speed by being asynchronous, but you'll pick up a little by having more RAM. It shouldn't have any effect on playing BDs, though, or cause any other issues.

[ZeeMan84]

Originally Posted by Chad

What is wrong with this ridiculous website? There is NO CONTACT info to be found! I cannot post anything in the forum even after registering and activating accordingly, gives me "no permission" nonsense on any forum I try to post at.

I had the same problem and was kinda pissed. but then I carefully read that I actually had to click on the link from my email to activate it, which you said you've done, and I was on board with this great community of Blu-rayers. Give clicking that activation link again.

[Allin4greeN]

Originally Posted by JadedRaverLA

...Welcome to the forum. Yeah, it shouldn't have anything to do with drive firmware... most all of the protection/issues with playback can be linked back to the software player. I didn't realize everyone had been waiting so long... that's fairly ridiculous.

Thanks for the welcome. I've been trying to follow a few different forums on PDVD. From what I've been seeing, they might have their hands full, and supporting OEM versions probably fell to the wayside... I'm anxious to see how Arcsoft's "finished" product performs, when it gets out of Beta.

Originally Posted by JadedRaverLA

As for 3GB vs. 2GB, it should work out about the same overall (although 3 GB would be better if you run Photoshop or other programs that devour RAM). You'll lose a little speed by being asynchronous, but you'll pick up a little by having more RAM. It shouldn't have any effect on playing BDs, though, or cause any other issues.

I've been trying to track down a solid answer on this for several weeks. Thank you!

Since I can't post a new thread yet, I'm tempted to ask some additional questions here but, I'll wander a bit...

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by Chad

What is wrong with this ridiculous website? There is NO CONTACT info to be found! I cannot post anything in the forum even after registering and activating accordingly, gives me "no permission" nonsense on any forum I try to post at.

welcome to our "ridiculous" site...

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by Allin4greeN

Thanks for the welcome. I've been trying to follow a few different forums on PDVD. From what I've been seeing, they might have their hands full, and supporting OEM versions probably fell to the wayside... I'm anxious to see how Arcsoft's "finished" product performs, when it gets out of Beta.I've been trying to track down a solid answer on this for several weeks. Thank you!

Since I can't post a new thread yet, I'm tempted to ask some additional questions here but, I'll wander a bit...

No problem. I also am looking forward to seeing what Arcsoft manages to bring to the table. I think Cyberlink is doing alright, but it is taking them longer to get updates out there than anyone would like. I think the software player developers are at a huge disadvantage, though. From what I've gathered, they don't get the same advanced notice and compatibility testing resources from the studios as the hardware player manufacturers do. Regardless, hopefully by next summer most of these early issues will be worked out, and we should see many fewer updates to players (software and hardware) as a result.

[BluSoldier]

I too am having an issue playing back all of my newer BD's on my XPS m1710. The colors are all messed up with what looks like huge colourful macroblocking for lack of a better description. I downloaded the latest update for PowerDVD from the cyberlink website but this doesn't fix anything. I am hoping that they fix this soon as my laptop will be my only source of BD playback while home on christmas leave Is anyone aware of alternative (-preferably free) software for BD playback?

[Allin4greeN]

There was a post from a Dell rep, over on their forum, that suggests an update for PowerDVD is now available. Might be worth a look see...