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General discussion

Minimum Requirements for Playing DVDs

Dec 13, 2004 9:37PM PST

I am looking to purchase a new laptop.

What are the minimum requirements recommended for viewing DVDs (processor, RAM, hard-drive, etc.)? Or does it matter? If a laptop is offered with a DVD player option can I assume the configuration will be suitable?

Also, do I need to be aware what type of DVD is able to be played - I have both European and American DVDs and my DVD player hooked up to the TV plays both but it is a special feature that most DVD players do not have.

Thanks,

Huxley

Discussion is locked

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Re: Minimum Requirements for Playing DVDs
Dec 13, 2004 11:08PM PST

1. There is no new laptop in production under 1GHz so DVD playback works on all new laptops. I'm surprised a little at this part.

2. As to multi-region NO laptop I've seen supports this. However, you can use DVDSHRINK to duplicate your DVD and remove the region setting.

Best of luck,

Bob

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Re: Minimum Requirements for Playing DVDs
Dec 13, 2004 11:58PM PST

Thanks!

As to your surprise, are you surprised at the naivety of my question?! Nothing I am contemplating to buy is under 1.0GHz but I wasn't sure if 1.60GHZ would be enough or to go with something faster for better results.

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Re: Minimum Requirements for Playing DVDs
Dec 14, 2004 12:06AM PST

The bare minimum for software DVD playback varies a bit with the display settings, but somewhere where we passed 500MHz on the Pentium 2, DVD software playback began to become very feasible. Since nothing is under double that, you would be hard pressed to not be able to play a DVD.

Your 1.6GHz is likely a Centrino so that's something over a 3 GHz Pentium 4 speed.

Have you seen higher CPU speeds improve DVD playback?

(I haven't)

Bob

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Re: Minimum Requirements for Playing DVDs
Dec 14, 2004 12:35AM PST

Somewhere where we passed 500MHz apparently!

Thanks

Huxley