I am on the phone with Dell right now..;) does the ATI card have issues with CIneFOrm...I know some software likes some graphics cards..does cineform say anything about that??

also the ATI has 128 onboad and shares 128MB ram...is that ok??

need answer FAST on phone now with dell..thanks!!

Obin,

I had no issues with the X1400 even with the shared memory (only used for 3D games requiring lots of texture memory).

While you are there, see if you can get a good deal on a Core 2 Duo - even the T7200 is an immense CPU for CineForm playback.

awesome! thanks for FAST reply!! BTW I have the Core Do, it's good seems as fast almost as my AMD dual opteron system at the studio!

BTW can you upgrade the CPU at a later date if you want to on this machine?

Yes, it's a relatively pain-free operation. I bought a Dell Inspiron XPS M1710 with a 2.0GHz Core Duo and transplanted in a 2.16GHz Core 2 Duo with no problems whatsoever. It's a 15 minute job - just make sure you have some thermal paste handy.

With regards CPU performance, my Core 2 Duo is about 18% faster at CineForm encoding than my Athlon X2 4400 desktop system. It's a phenomenal achievement.

What do you think of the $1400 quote they gave for

1GB ram
1.7dual core duo
17inch 1920x1200 display
Nvidia go 79gs
120gb hard disk
wifi and blue tooth

It's a great deal - a fantastic one, in fact - though I'd still prefer not to have a 533MHz FSB CPU when the 667MHz FSB chips are there to be had.

well...if it gets the job done NOW I can upgrade later on right?? I don't need a SUPER HUMAN machine, just want to edit a bit and do some AE work ;)

Glad to have helped - there really is nothing that can match a CineForm AVI in all its glory being played back on a notebook. I am still a little bewildered that you had problems at all playing back a 720p/24 file.

I've been having issues playing my more extreme clips on my laptop (720p/60, High-HD Optimised, ultra-detailed video games footage) and neither Media Player nor Media Player Classic can handle them without glitching.

Curiously, GraphEdit plays them flawlessly! I can imagine Media Player bloatware causing performance issues, but Media Player Classic is usually fine...

Does that laptop have 'Speed Step' technology? The type that reduces the CPU speed when running off batteries? If so, go into the BIOS and disable it. My laptop, an older Dell Inspiron 5150 with a 3.06ghz HT P4 had problems playing back DV avi's without dropping frames.. It was ridiculous! A call to Dell did not help any. They had no idea. Anyway, I disabled the Hyper Threading.. That improved things, but would return to dropping frames once the computer was on for about 10 minutes or more. Then I disabled the Speed Step. That fixed it!

Yes, the Core Duo and Core 2 Duo is based on SpeedStep for its power-saving and superb battery life. While it is conceivable that this would cause frame loss on CineForm playback, it doesn't explain why playback is flawless using GraphEdit...

That means that when it's on power outlet it is FULL speed? IT does not help when I plug it in....I have the new on on the way, will see how that does. man the core duo is FASSSSTTTT

No, it still uses SpeedStep when it's plugged into the mains. If you go into the Power options under control panel, you might be able to change that.

However, I honestly have severe doubts it's a SpeedStep issue for the reasons I have already pointed out.