Slow encoding...

[Nilfennasion]

I don't know if this forum is strictly appropriate for this subject, but I am still fairly new, so bear with me.

At the moment, it is taking my computer about 65 or so minutes to perform a deep analysis on a given DVD, depending on how full the disc is. Assuming the film itself takes six gig, it generally takes about 60 minutes... I haven't found a film yet that has been allocated eight gig, but I assume it will take at least 70. While this isn't a problem most of the time, I would like to be doing other things with at least part of that time.

I also find that when I burn at 4X, the size of my buffer seems to go up and down a lot, as if the processor can't get the information from my hard disk to the IDE controller to the drive quickly enough with the processor it has.

All of which brings me to my pertinent question. I have been contemplating upgrading my processor ever since I bought the DVD drive, but aside from video applications, I can't see any reason to do so. Currently, I have a AMD Duron processor rated at 850Mhz, and it runs all my word processing, database, even still graphics functions fine. But for a DVD analysis to take over an hour, let's just say that's an hour I could be using to do something else, such as editing my first novel.

So, my question is pretty simple. First, will a processor upgrade be of any benefit to me in terms of speeding up the backing-up process? Second, what's a realistic processor speed to put in for DVD backup and recording applications? I think my current motherboard can support speeds up to 1.8 Ghz, but I'd have to confirm that.

[VCDHunter]

Generally speaking the quicker the CPU the quicker the encode. My XP 2000 takes about 40 mins to backup a full DVD with deep analysis.

[SaSi]

If your m/b supports CPUs up to 1.8GHz, go out and buy one now. The price will most likely be a bargain and in a few months you won't be able to find any CPU below 2.4GHz. And then you will be thinking of replacing your whole system.

850MHz is rather on the low end for any video related work and the times you quote are typical of the CPU power.

If you are using DVDShrink, use the latest version, configure it to run at a low priority and it will whistle along at a lower pace while you will be able to do anything on your PC. Typing in a word processor or browsing the internet takes minimum CPU percentage anyway.

[noki]

If you are using DVDShrink, use the latest version, configure it to run at a low priority

take note...many users are saying this version creates output with some pixelation. v3.0 beta5 seems to be the best for good output, but no prioritizing of work.

[Nilfennasion]

I'm willing to bet that the people complaining of pixelisation are compressing their films by as much as 50% or so. I've never had a major problem with the video output as long as I only compress the video to the bare minimum that I need in order to fit it onto one disc (usually 20% extra compression or less).

I've been reading the product literature for my motherboard, and it looks like I am going to have to update the motherboard, too.

[Nilfennasion]

UPDATE:

My motherboard's maximum CPU rating is about 1.4 Ghz, and I don't think it is worth the hassle of going onto Ebay to find such a chip. The question is where to find a motherboard and processor that all my other components are compatible with...

[junkmalle]

1.33 GHz Athlon, $39:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-156&depa=0

[indolikaa]

It is worth the extra money (if possible) to upgrade the core of your system: motherboard, processor and memory.

Even going up to the 1.33 Athlon should make a noticable difference.

[Nilfennasion]

A note here: I am not in the USA.

If you walked into an Australian store and told them you wanted a 1.33 Ghz processor, they'd more than likely tell you that you cannot get one anymore. If you told them you wanted a processor for $39, or even $69, you'd get laughed at. A lot.

I'd like to avoid getting new memory if I can help it. DDR RAM is also expensive here.