Do I need a new Desktop/Laptop or can I upgrade?

closed

Does HD iplayer work on your pc?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/tv/bbc_hd

Upgrading ram/HD is unlikely to make a difference.

How big it the file, how long is the movie, and what is the file extension?

You could always convert it to mpg, and burn to dvd.


http://www.koyotesoft.com/en/products.html (if you try the video converter, when it installs, it tries to install a toolbar, and change search to yahoo, untick both these options before continuing)

Regarding backups, what exactly do you backup and how? All those important pictures should be burnt to DVD (as well as saving on external HD) if they are precious

robredz

The Camera in question can take video in quality ranging from VGA 640 x 480 to 1280 x 720 HD 720. conversion is an option if the OP wishes to do so. the other option is to shoot in VGA mode.

Norman-B

Whooooosh! Most of the above, went flying over the top of my head.
Many thanks to you all for the replies and advice. I am going to go through them one by one. It looks to me as if I'm going to be looking into a new PC in 2010.

Next question (sorry), if I buy a new (Windows 7) PC, will I be able to keep my HD with XP on it and use it in my new PC (as well as Wnds7?)

Norman-B

Donnie wrote: »

You could try purchasing a new graphics card.

The ZOTAC GeForce 6200A or the PNY 6200 512MB will improve the performance until you can afford a new machine.

Donnie, is it a case of one card out and new one in? Is that something I could do (no wiring etc)?

Norman-B

robredz wrote: »

The Camera in question can take video in quality ranging from VGA 640 x 480 to 1280 x 720 HD 720. conversion is an option if the OP wishes to do so. the other option is to shoot in VGA mode.

Just to make sure I get you, I can play video on my PC and it should play at normal speed if I chose to record in non High Def'?

robredz

Norman-B wrote: »

Donnie, is it a case of one card out and new one in? Is that something I could do (no wiring etc)?

Depends if your motherboard has a PCIE slot or even an AGP.
If it's AGP you are extremely limited for choice. If you have a PCIE you can just slot one in, then go into the BIOS to disable the onboard video, and connect your monitor to the new card. A budget card shouldn't need an extra power connector to work, but the power supply is another issue around upgrading if it is 300 watt or less.

Best option may be a new PC.

robredz

Norman-B wrote: »

Just to make sure I get you, I can play video on my PC and it should play at normal speed if I chose to record in non High Def'?

If you record standard VGA resolution and copy the file over it should play ok in something like VLC media player if it is still slow then you may have to convert the file. The camera uses a version of AVCHD, AVCHD lite, that uses a lower bitrate. But long term new PC may be best, why compromise on video quality when capturing those important moments. You could also shoot video as MJPEG, which would be easier to handle.

kwikbreaks

Norman-B wrote: »

Next question (sorry), if I buy a new (Windows 7) PC, will I be able to keep my HD with XP on it and use it in my new PC (as well as Wnds7?)

Possibly not - at least not without buying a PATA to USB caddy as any new machine is going to be SATA and may well not have any PATA connectors which you can connect your old drive to.

Regarding actually running your copy of XP on the old drive in the new computer if you can fit it - forget it. Quite apart from needing a reinstall and probably a load of drivers you don't have it is probably an OEM copy and will be impossible to register with Microsoft for use on the new machine.

Norman-B

kwikbreaks, thanks for that. Looks like a new PC,. Will all/most my old software 'run' on Windows 7?

[Deleted User]

Norman-B wrote: »

kwikbreaks, thanks for that. Looks like a new PC,. Will all/most my old software 'run' on Windows 7?

The best and easiest way to answer that is for you to run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor from Microsoft.