Slow Performance in MP... / memory upgrade?

[hotponyshoes]

TV-Server Version:
MediaPortal Version: 2.3RC3
MediaPortal Skin: X-Face 1.3
Windows Version: XP Pro Sp2
CPU Type: AMD 4600+ Dual Core 2.4GHZ
HDD: 250GB Sata 300 / 500GB Sata 300
Memory: 1GB DDR400 PC3200
Motherboard: Abit AN8 32x
Motherboard Chipset: NForce 4
Motherboard Bios: Abit 13
Video Card: 2 x BFG 7600GT OC 256MB
Video Card Driver: Nvidia
Sound Card: Abit Optical Out
Sound Card AC3:
Sound Card Driver:
1. TV Card: Black Gold GDI3520 Dual-Tuner
1. TV Card Type: DVB-T / Analog
1. TV Card Driver:
2. TV Card: Black Gold GDI3520 Dual-Tuner (Quad Configeration)
2. TV Card Type: DVB-T / Analog
2. TV Card Driver:
3. TV Card:
3. TV Card Type:
3. TV Card Driver:
4. TV Card:
4. TV Card Type:
4. TV Card Driver:
MPEG2 Video Codec:
MPEG2 Audio Codec:
Satelite/CableTV Provider:
HTPC Case: Thermaltake Bach
Cooling: Fans
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower
Remote: iMon
TV: Panasonic TH37PW5B 37" Plasma Display
TV - HTPC Connection: VGA / Component


Hi all!

I am running MP2.3 (tried various svn's) and x-face 1.3.

My system (as above) should be ok for this?
I find some things a bit slow, for example, if I click 'my movies' The dvd's are shown (filmstrip) quickly but I have to wait for 4-5 seconds until I can select one / highlight / enlarge one.

I only have 1GB (2x512mb) of ram, PC2300 DDR400.
I was planning to upgrade this anyway but I am not sure if it will make any diffrence?

Also, regarding the ram, I have 4 dimm slots on the motherboard, Can I just add a pair of 1GB sticks to the 3rd and 4th slots (so 2x512mb and 2x1gb) to give me 3GB ram or do I need to keep the sizes the same accross all 4 slots (4x512mb to give me 2GB)
From what I can work out from the motherboard manual if I fill all 4 slots up with 128-bit double rank memory it will only run at a max of DDR333 anyway rather than DDR400 so should I just buy 2x1gb sticks at DDR333 and run my existing DDR400 at a slower speed?
Thanks!!

[Paranoid Delusion]

They are correct about the speed change if you use all 4 memory slots (64 bit OS excepted, does depend on motherboard), from what i can find and have used the optimal amount of memory, where you do not seem to notice any further benefit is 2GB for XP.
Also 2x1gb is more beneficial than 4x512mb, as you stated lots of motherboards do not like the extra connection.

Personally would get 2x1gb 400, OCZ Gold or Crucial Ballistix memory, and try and find a good home for the spare 2x512mb.

[plnight]

Hello,

I have same problem after downloading and adding DVD Covers to all movie files (over 300)

If I enter Menu "My Films" it takes over 10 seconds to show me all movies if I del the database it takes only 4 seconds. Is it a way to get access on the database faster??? Also if a movie is playing and I am going back to menu without DVD Covers it takes 2 sec. but with DVD Covers over 10 seconds again.

It depends on RAM or CPU??

[Leon_Gjerland]

Originally Posted by plnight

Hello,

I have same problem after downloading and adding DVD Covers to all movie files (over 300)

:
:
:

It depends on RAM or CPU??

You don't say anything about CPU and amount of memory, but most likely this has to do with disk I/O. Covers are not stored in the database, so MP has to open over 300 files, read them, close them and scale the "pictures".

(I assume you are using a local disk)

- Keep the coverfiles as small as possible
- Have a fast disk, (check that dma is enabled in Device-manager)
- Keep the disk(s) defragmented

[Marcusb]

I doubt the ram is the problem with the delays.
even 512Mb works weel in most cases.

In configuration there is an issue for the thumbnails where you can set higher resolution or higher speed. Maybe try adjusting that? I haven't seen this, so not sure if it will help you or not, but it's a much cheaper test to make before buying anything.

[plnight]

I solve the problem. Have created for all movie 1 directory and the performance problems are gone

[infinityloop]

how about showing us a logfile (created with MediaPortal Debug shortcut) ?
then we see "where" that extra 5 seconds are wasted

when you reproduce the problem, make sure that you use BlueTwo as skin.

[rtv]

Originally Posted by infinityloop

how about showing us a logfile (created with MediaPortal Debug shortcut) ?
then we see "where" that extra 5 seconds are wasted

when you reproduce the problem, make sure that you use BlueTwo as skin.

Why? I can point every dev to the obvious code... Can't be that fast to check all files in every subdir regardless which folder you're entering

That's why I added the setting plnight uses.. Currently you just have to decide whether every movie has an own dir or not.