CPU takes 100%

[sandipdas]

Hi,

This was the first time that I was converting from .AVI to .MPG through TmpGen. This is converting right but CPU takes 100% and I can not do anything. One conversion (700MB) file is taking like 16hrs. Of course I am using the solwest method for better quality. Is it normal time taking?

I have a PIII 1Ghz, 192MB RAM, 60GB ATA100 machine?

Thanks in advance.

Sandip

[Tbear]

Yes,, it's about right with your cpu speed and using high quality (slowest). Most people start encoding before they go to bed and while at work. IMHO it's best to just do the encoding by itself and not to mutitask when it's running.

[sandipdas]

So, do I need a powerful CPU or more RAM? Is there any noticeble difference form slow speed vs. slowest speed?

[Tbear]

A faster CPU will cut down the time it takes to encode. And going from slowest to slow will also help. When you use more filters and slowest setting it will take time. It takes me about two hours to encode with no filters, and upto 5 to hours with filters and slowest settings for 90 min film.
So it can take between 2 to 6hrs depending on time of film and filters and setting. When I had a 800Mhz CPU it took about 10 to 12 hrs to encode with no filters.

Encoding is CPU dependent. Memory won't hurt, but won't cut down the time.

[dmonty]

Actually.... Encoding is completely dependent on CPU AND memory. The more memory you have the less your system will need to refer to your swapfile. This, in turn, will decrease your encoding time. Since I don't know what OS your using I cannot offer any suggestions but I can offer some guidelines....

For Win9X/ME: 256 MB (This OS cannot effectively use more than 256)
For NT/2000/XP: 512 or better.

If your on a budget you want want to play with the memory timings in your BIOS. Some memory/MB combos allow really aggessive timings that would speed up your system.

Hope this helps.

D

[Mirror_Image]

Assuming that all of your encoding settings remain constant, more memory helps a little, but a noticeably faster CPU helps a lot. The more CPU muscle you have, the faster it goes (by a nearly direct proportion). Roughly speaking, i.e. a 2000MHz CPU of Type X will encode roughly twice as fast as a 1000MHz CPU of the same type).