Poor DVD playback quality

[njms]

On the computer in my signature, what would make a DVD movie play at poor quality? I'm talking worse than my PS2 on a 10 year old 13" TV. And how can I correct it?

[bigandy]

What are you using to play the DVD? I have had problems with skipping and the audio and video sync getting messed up, with WinDVD. If that is what you're using, try PowerDVD. It works very well.

It could also be your monitor, I don't know if that is a good one or not. I don't know much about monitors in general.

[kram 2.0]

Does the DVD-ROM drive work fine with CDs in it and stuff (to make sure that it's not the DVD drive - hard to believe it would be that, though)? All your specs seem to be more than good to view a DVD - if anything, I would imagine, like bigandy said, monitor or player.

Also, what is your OS? XP pro tended to be more stable and smooth than my 98SE or 95.

kram

[njms]

I'm running XP Pro. I was using a crap player at the time which might have been it. But it might also be my monitor, its max resolution is 1280x1024 at 70hz (its one of those old 20" CRT beasts), I know thats not that good but would that cause such poor playback?

[bigandy]

It shouldn't be that bad.

If you have another PC that you can use, try using the same monitor, software and DVD, this should help determine if the problem is the drive.

Or, try a different monitor, if you have one available, with this PC, and the same DVD, this would determine if it is the monitor.

Or, try a different DVD (which you might have already done).

I can't think of much else to tell you. Hope you are able to get this resolved.

[njms]

I figure It has to be the monitor, the TV playback from my TV Card also has the same defects as the DVD playback. So I'm buying a new one, a viewsonic g90fb to be exact, even if it turns out not to be this monitor, I still needed a new one, the old one has about 16 broken pixel lines, wieghs about 90 pound, and as I said ain't that great anyway. I figure I got my use out of a 10 year old monitor I bought at a garage sale :)

[bigandy]

It probably was the monitor, especially if it's that old.

You will probably be happy with the new one. Viewsonics are excellent monitors.