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PowerDVD 2.55
(c) Copyright CyberLink Corp.1997-2000
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Thank You for using CyberLink's PowerDVD 2.5!
This README file contains the latest information and technical update on PowerDVD. For the
complete PowerDVD guide, please refer to the on-line help or owner's manual.
[1]. General playback performance and quality issues
1. What's New in PowerDVD 2.5
2. Enable DVD-ROM DMA to Enhance Playback Performance
3. Microsoft (tm) DirectShow Support
4. Display Issues
[2]. Supporting Hardware Devices
1. VGA Display Cards
(a) With Hardware MC (Motion Compensation).
(b) Without Hardware MC.
2. Sound Cards/Chipsets
(a) With S/PDIF
(b) With Multi-Channels
3. DVD-ROMs
4. Super7 motherboards
[3]. Technical Notes
1. Keep Aspect Ratio
2. AMD 3D Now! AMD 3D Now! Extension and PentiumIII IA Streaming Extensions (SIMD) Optimization
3. S/PDIF 5.1-Channels Dolby Digital output
4. Video Brightness control Limitation
5. ASPI and SCSI issues
6. Screen Saver and Power Saving Mode
7. Super 7 Motherboard Support
PLEASE READ THIS FILE IN DETAIL BEFORE STARTING PowerDVD!!
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GENERAL PLAYBACK PERFORMANCE AND QUALITY ISSUES
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1.) WHAT'S NEW IN POWERDVD 2.5
==============================
For more details and further explanations of each feature, refer to the user's manual or on-line
help.
* Multiple user interfaces (skins) which can be selected and downloadable
* Bookmark support
* Chapter viewer support
* Original Video frame size (4:3 or 16:9) capture support
* Internet access capability (i-Power support)
Note: Must Install Internet Explorer 4.0 or above
* 48KHz ~ 96KHz/24bits audio output support
* Software alpha blending (sub-picture) support
* Support SiS 300/630 Motion Compensation and alpha blending
* On Screen Display support
* Chapter repeat and title repeat mode support
* Supports more audio devices which provide four speakers output.
Sound chips
. VLSI ThunderBird Q3D
. Canyon3D
Sound cards
. HoonTech SoundTrack AudioDSP24 4, 6 speakers, 96k Hz 24bits
* Wide range of file formats support for playback
AudioCD Tracks (*.CDA) (Audio CD playback)
DVD Video object files (*.VOB)
Dobly AC3 audio files (*.AC3)
MIDI Audio files (*.MID;*.RMI)
MPEG 1/2 files (*.MPG;*.MPEG)
MPEG 1 Audio Layer-2 files (*.MP2)
MPEG 1 Audio Layer-3 files (*.MP3)
MPEG 1 Video files (*.M1V)
MPEG 2 Video files (*.M2V)
Microsoft Waveform audio files (*.WAV)
Quicktime Movie files (*.MOV;*.QT)
Windows Media files (*.ASF;*.WM;*.WMA;*.WMV)
Video for Windows files (*.AVI)
VideoCD files (*.DAT)
Note: Media Player must be installed
2.) ENABLE DVD-ROM DMA TO ENHANCE PLAYBACK PERFORMANCE
======================================================
* It is HIGHLY recommended that you enable the DMA option of your DVD-ROM in order to reduce
CPU loading. Win98 and Win95 OSR2 have built-in support for DMA-enable IDE DVD-ROMs and HDDs.
A system diagnostic program will automatically be launched after installing PowerDVD to assist
in activating this option. Since Win95 OSR2 and Win98 contain native support for this feature,
any other third party bus master dirver is NOT recommended. However, for Win95 retail version
users, you must have a third party bus master driver installed to enable this option.
Since old versions of the bus master driver may not properly support new IDE devices, such as
DVD-ROMs and IDE removable storage mediums, always check the date of the driver and make sure
you have the latest version of the driver that supports your DVD-ROM.
To identify which version of Win95 you are using, please enter "Control Panel" and click on
the "System" icon. You'll see a version string with the form "4.00.950.X". Win95 retail version
has a version string of "4.00.950" or "4.00.950 A".
Sometimes you might find the DMA option is unavailable even if you have OSR2 installed in your
computer. This is because OSR2 does not recognize the following new Chipsets: Intel 440LX, 440BX,
and 440EX. Thus the default driver with DMA support is not installed. A patch program from Intel
named "Intel 82371xB INF Update Installer" can be launched inside the CyberLink system diagnostic
program to do necessary patches for Intel chipsets. After that, you have to reboot your system
for OSR2 to find all the new hardware. Then, run the system diagnostic program located in the
Cyberlink PowerDVD folder to enable the DMA option.
For Win98 users, the aforementioned problems aren't evident since Win98 was released after those
chipsets were released; thus, Win98 recongnizes all of them. However, for new chipsets, you may
still have to apply a patch before the DMA mode is available to be activated.
For chipsets from other vendors, you should find the proper patch programs for OSR2 or Win98
in your mainboard support disk/CD-ROM or at the vendor's web site.
3.) MICROSOFT (tm) DIRECTSHOW SUPPORT
=====================================
*PowerDVD is now Microsoft (tm) DirectShow complaint. Interactive DVD titles or games can utilize
PoweDVD DirectShow filters to decode those high resolution MPEG video clips inside the titles or
games. DirectX Media 6.0 Runtime or later must exist for those filters to work properly and will
be installed during setup time if necessary.
4.) DISPLAY ISSUES
====================
*Please make sure the DirectDraw driver of your display card is properly installed. Please refer
to your display cards' manual for detailed instructions. Or you can download/install the latest
Microsoft(tm) DirectX Runtime to enable this support.
PowerDVD will use theh DirectDraw overlay surface for optimal playback and performance quality
provided that your display card supports it. Most display cards available now support this
feature. To determine what kind of surface PowerDVD is using, click on the "Configuration" button,
which has an icon similar to a hammer in the PowerDVD user interface. Select "DVD Information"
to display the fields "Display Mode" and "Surface Type". If you have a "DDRAW/Overlay" combination,
the overlay surface is detected by PowerDVD and is utilized. For other combinations, video playback
operations have to be performed by the specific software depending on your display card's
limitations or improperly installed driver.
*For optimal DVD video playback, it is recommended not to play DVD video under 640 X 480 desktop
resolution due to the original video resolution provided by most DVD movie titles set at 720 X 480
or 704 X 480.
*If you play 16:9 titles under the 800 X 600 desktop resolution, PowerDVD will adjust the
vertical size of your video window to maintain the correct video aspect-ratio even under full
screen mode. The result may be scanline-drops since some display cards simply omit scanlines if
the video window size is smaller than the original video size vertically. You can switch the
desktop resolution to 1024 X 768 manually before starting PowerDVD to avoid this problem. Under
this mode, PowerDVD will adjust the horizontal size of your video window rather than the vertical
size to provide a better viewing experience.
PowerDVD also switches the resolution automatically by prompting users that 16:9 titles have been
detected. You may even specify which resolution you want to switch to for 4:3 and 16:9 titles.
To configure, click on the "Configuration" button on the PowerDVD user interface, select "Screen"
and set accordingly. This automatic switching feature does not apply to SiS6326 based display
cards. On some display cards, dynamical resolution switching may cause system misbehavior or
crashes. You may also disable this feature in the "Configuration" / "Screen" dialogue.
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SUPPORTED HARDWARES DEVICES
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1.) Display Cards
=================
(a) With Hardware MC (Motion Compensation)
ATI http://www.atitech.com
RagePro
Rage128
Intel http://www.intel.com
Intel 810
S3 http://www.s3.com
Savage3D
Savage4
SiS http://www.sis.com.tw
SiS300
SiS540
SiS630
Trident http://www.tridentmicro.com
Blade3D
Neomagic http://www.neomagic.com
MagicMedia 256AV
nVidia http://www.nvidia.com
GeForce 256
(b) Without Hardware MC
3dfx http://www.3dfx.com
Voodoo3
BanShee
3D Labs http://www.3dlabs.com
Permedia2
Permedia3
ATI http://www.atitech.com
RageII-C
Intel http://www.intel.com
Intel 740
nVidia http://www.nvidia.com
Riva 128
Riva TNT
Riva TNT2
Riva TNT2 m64
Riva TNT2 Ultra
SiS http://www.sis.com.tw
SiS530
Trident http://www.tridentmicro.com
8400
9750
9850
2.) Sound Cards/Chipsets
========================
(a) With S/PDIF (also supports multi-channels)
Aureal http://www.aureal.com
Vortex 8810 ; 4 channels
Vortex 8830 ; 4 Channels
CMI http://www.cmedia.com.tw
CMI8338A ; 4 Channels
CMI8738 ; 4 Channels
Creative Labs http://www.soundblaster.com
CT5880 ; 4 Channels
ES1373 ; 2 Channels
EV1938/1958 ; 2 Channels
SB Live! ; 4 Channels
SB Live! Platinum ; 4 Channels
Crystal http://www.crystal.com
Crystal4624 ; 2 Channels
ESS http://www.canyon3d.com
Canyon3D ; 4/6 Channels
Realtek http://www.realtek.com
ALS300+ ; 4/6 Channels
Yamaha http://www.yamaha.com
YMF724 ; 2 Channels
YMF744 ; 4 Channels
(b) With Multi-Channels
Creative Labs http://www.soundblaster.com
SB Live! Value ; 4 Channels
SB PCI64 ; 4 Channels
SB PCI128 ; 4 Channels
ESS http://www.esstech.com
Maestro2E ; 4 Channels
ForteMedia http://www.fortemedia.com
FM801a ; 4/6 Channels
Hoontech http://www.hoontech.com
SoundTrack AudioDSP24 ; 4 and 6 Channels ( with 96k Hz 24bits sample rate)
Philips/VLSI http://www.semiconductors.philips.com
ThunderBird 128 ; 4 Channels
ThunderBird Avenger ; 4/6 Channels
Note: Full multi-channel features are supported in the retail version, but is optional for
OEM versions.
3.) DVD-ROMS
============
*The following DVD-ROM/RAM drives have been tested with PowerDVD and are listed in aplhabetical
order according to their manufacturer's name:
ATAPI interface:
Afreey DD-4010E (10x)
Afreey DD-4008E (8x)
Afreey DD-3206E (6x)
Afreey DD-3205E (5x)
AOpen DVD-9624 (6x)
AOpen DVD-9632 (6x)
DVS DSR-520H (5.2x)
Hitachi GD-2000 (2x)
Hitachi GD-2500 (4x)
Hitachi GD-2500BX+ (6x)
Hitachi GD-3000 (6x)
Hitachi GD-5000 (8x)
LG DRD8080B
Matsushita SR8582 or Creative PC-DVD Dxr2 (2x)
Matsushita SR8583 or Creative PC-DVD 5X (5x)
Philips DRD5200 (2x)
Pioneer DVD-A02 (2.6x)
Pioneer DVD-103s (6x)
Pioneer DVD-113 (6x)
Raite RDR-102H (2x)
Samsung SD-606F (6x)
Samsung SD 608 (8x)
Samsung SD 612 (12x)
Samsung SM 304 (Combo : DVDROM + CDRW)
Sony DDU220E (5x)
Toshiba SD-M1102 (2x)
Toshiba SD-M1202 (4.8x)
Toshiba SD-C2002 (2x)
SCSI interface :
AOpen DVD-520S (DVD-RAM)
Matsushita LF-D100 (DVD-RAM)
Pioneer DVD-U02 (2.6x)
Pioneer DVD-303 (6x)
You may find some products that are not listed. PowerDVD should work properly with them if
they follow the most updated SFF8090 specification.
4.) Super 7 motherboards
========================
Motherboards that were based on VIA MVP3 or ALI AladdinV Chipsets.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
TECHNICAL NOTES
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1.) KEEP ASPECT RATIO
=====================
*The feature "Keep Aspect Ratio" has been added. This option can be accessed from the Video Windows
Express Menu (right-click) or the "Configuration\Screen" dialogue box. When this option is
enabled, PowerDVD will always keep the correct aspect ratio (4:3 or 16:9) for the displayed
video no matter what the window size is. Check this option if you do not want a distorted video
either in full screen or regular window mode.
However, by enabling this option while playing a 4:3 title under full screen you may notice that
there are still thin black stripes at the top and the bottom of the screen, even if the current
desktop resolution seems to be the correct ratio(800:600 = 1024:768 = 4:3). This is because the
pixel shapes of a TV and a computer monitor are different. For a TV the shape rectangular while
for a computer monitor, the shape is square. Since all DVD titles are intended to be displayed on
televisions, the display area must be adjusted on a computer monitor in order to maintain the
correct aspect ratio.
If you find the thin black stripes annoying, simply uncheck the option "Keep Aspect Ratio" in the
Video Express Menu and the video will be enlarged to fill out the entire screen area.
2.)AMD 3DNow!AMD-K7 and PENTIUM!!! IA STREAMING EXTENSIONS (SIMD) OPTIMIZATION
================================================================================
* AMD 3DNow!, AMD 3DNow! Extension and PentiumIII IA Streaming Extensions (SIMD) have been
optimized. However, you must have a processor which utilizes either AMD 3DNow! or Streaming SIMD
Extensions in order to properly activate AMD K6-2 and K6-3 family processors, which are equipped
with 3DNow! technology. For Streaming SIMD Extensions technology, you have to have a Pentium III
or Pentium III Xeon processor. PowerDVD will automatically detect the existence of such processors
and enable proper hardware acceleration.
3. S/PDIF 5.1-CHANNELS DOLBY DIGITAL OUTPUT
===========================================
* With S/PDIF, undecoded 5.1-channel or 2-channel Dolby Digital stream can be sent through to an
external standalone AC-3 decoder for high fidelity decoding and playback. PowerDVD supports
S/PDIF-enabled sound cards. With an external Dolby Digital decoder/speaker system like Creative
Desktop Theater 5.1, you'll be able to enjoy the an enriched home theater experience.
The option "Use S/PDIF for AC3 Output" will be greyed if sound chips don't support S/PDIF and
thus are not available for selection. The option can be accessed by click the PowerDVD Configuration button and select "Audio".
The connection from your S/PDIF-enabled sound card to your external Dolby Digital decoder box is
device-specific. Please refer to the proper user manuals for detailed explanations.
There might be an option such as "Enable Digital Output" or "Enable S/PDIFOutput", which must be
enabled in the sound card driver control panel or device manager/sound card setting side. Enabling
the "Use S/PDIF for AC3 Output" option in PowerDVD does not always ensure the AC-3 stream will be
emitted through the S/PDIF. Refer to your sound card manual for details.
4. VIDEO BRIGHTNESS CONTROL LIMITATION
======================================
* If you are using a S3 Savage3D display card or other VGA Cards with hardware MC and the "Use
Video Accelerator" option is enabled, the video brightness control function will not be available
due to architecture limitation. There are some other features, such as video frame capturing,
that may resemble the same limitation.
* If DirectDraw Overlay surface is not available (either due to display chip hardware incapability
or improper driver installation), the brightness control function will not be available.
5. ASPI AND SCSI ISSUES
========================
* ASPI (Advanced SCSI Programmer's Interface) is a software layer defined and maintained by
Adaptec. Although originally designed for SCSI devices, it now supports both SCSI and IDE devices.
That is why Win95 and Win98 includes it as part of its system components. This API is composed of
three files : WINASPI.DLL, WNASPI32.DLL, and APIX.VXD. ASPI layer is the only path that PowerDVD
uses to communicate to IDE/SCSI DVD-ROM drives for performing mutual authentication with
region-protected DVD titles for proper key decryption and data descrambling.
But ASPI layer may sometimes be overwritten or corrupted by the installation of other software
or various IDE/SCSI device drivers. When the original ASPI layer is overwritten by an incompatible
one, the path to IDE/SCSI DVD-ROM will no longer exist and thus the authentication process with
region-protected DVD titles will fail. PowerDVD might report various error messages in this
situation, depending on the nature of the incompatible driver. However, all error codes have a
common prefix "8090xxxx" or "80axxxxx".
This is not a problem with PowerDVD itself. Should you encounter this kind of incompatibility,
there are two solutions:
Solution 1 :
- download ASPIINST.EXE from Adaptec to upgrade your ASPI files to the latest version. However,
that upgrade requires either an Adaptec host adapter or an Adaptec version of the ASPI
layer, which may have been installed by an application or a SCSI device driver which is
currently in your system. Or you can check if there is an ASPI layer upgrade from your
SCSI host adapter or device vendor.
URL for Adaptec :
http://www.adaptec.com
Solution 2 :
- Restore the original Win95/98 ASPI layer files. Extract the following files from the Win95/98
CAB files and copy them to the following directories :
WNASPI32.DLL -> <WINDIR>\SYSTEM
WINASPI.DLl -> <WINDIR>\SYSTEM
APIX.VXD -> <WINDIR>\SYSTEM\IOSUBSYS
ASPI2HLP.SYS -> <WINDIR>
<WINDIR> stands for the directory where your Win95/98 resides.
Click Start\Run and type in "Regedit". Then click on "OK" to launch the Registry Editor. Hold
down the [Ctrl+F] key, type in "ASPIENUM", click on "Find Next" and wait for the search to stop.
Then hit the [Delete] key and answer "YES" to delete the entire highlighted "ASPIENUM" key.
6.) SCREEN SAVER AND POWER SAVING MODE
=======================================
* It it highly recommended that the screen saver function and power saving mode be temporarily
disabled when PowerDVD is running.
7.) SUPER 7 MOTHERBOARD SUPPORT
================================
* PowerDVD version 2.5 has been tested to work with motherboards based on VIA MVP3 or the ALI
AladdinV chipset. However, you have to install a bus master driver in order to enable the DMA
option of your DVD-ROM to obtain optimal performance. The bus master driver is chipset-dependent
and can be found in your motherboard support CD-ROM or disk. Although Win95 OSR2 and Win98
contain built-in support for DMA-enabled DVD-ROM drives, it has been found that by simply turning
on this option in the VIA or ALI platform may cause mutual authentication failure between DVD
players and DVD-ROM for region-protected DVD titles.
* To play back DVD titles on Super 7 platforms, a K6-2 processor running at 300MHz or higher is
required if no special hardware assistance, such as a Savage3D display card, is available.
You can find the newest bus master driver and other win9x patches for MVP3 or AladdinV chipset
at the following URL :
http://www.via.com.tw
http://www.ali.com.tw
Download Driver Pack
After your driver has been downloaded, follow these simple steps to install it.
Expand the archive file (if the download file is in zip or rar format).
If the expanded file has an .exe extension, double click it and follow the installation instructions.
Otherwise, open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Device Manager.
Find the device and model you want to update in the device list.
Double-click on it to open the Properties dialog box.
From the Properties dialog box, select the Driver tab.
Click the Update Driver button, then follow the instructions.
Very important: You must reboot your system to ensure that any driver updates have taken effect.
For more help, visit our Driver Support section for step-by-step videos on how to install drivers for every file type.