Dropped frames using Promise controller card.

[Golem]

I just purchased a 200GB WD HD and am using the supplied Promise controller card. For some reason the throughput seems to be lacking as I randomly drop clusters of frames. It's usually just one or two every 1k-2k frames captured but occasionally it will drop as many as 40 at a time. I experience no dropped frames when using the HD's connected to either the IDE1 or IDE2 of the MB. Yes, DMA is enabled on all HD's.

Anyone experienced this sort of failure and have suggestions?

As I'm using an ASUS A7V8X-X MB my BIOS will most likely allow me to run this 200GB HD off of the standard IDE's but if I can get this sorted out it will allow me two additional HD's.

Appreciate any and all input!

Regards,
Golem

[Jolard]

I don't have a solution for you, but just a comment. I just purchased the 160 GB version of the same drive you did with the same promise card. I had some trouble getting it formatted correctly, but now it is fine.

Last night I captured around an hours worth of video with great results. Far less dropped frames than I was used to (1 20 minute section I only had 3 dropped frames!)

So I don't think it is a problem inherent in the promise card, or the configuration. Must be a setting somewhere. Sorry not an answer, but hopefully helpful in narrowing down your problem.

[Golem]

Hi Jolard!

Thanks for the reply as it gave me the knowledge that the configuration should work properly.

I'm cured but not sure which mod fixed it as I, in a frenzy, affected 2 changes at once. Even though the initial format during install seemed to go smoothly I did go ahead and reformat a second time. I also updated my BIOS, was only 1 generation old but figured it couldn't hurt. I now capture 720x480 without dropping any frames unless I use multiple drives. Even then I only drop one or two frames. Six hours of continuous recording and only dropping 2 frames max! I'm once again satisfied.

Btw, this is while using Win2kPro. I was using Win98se and could count on dropping 1 frame per 1000.

Best Regards,
Golem

[lordsmurf]

Strangely enough, I have great usage of my HDs on my Promise card, but my DVD-ROM acts funny, but only on the card...