topic video/tv problems in PCs & Accessories

video/tv problems

brendino — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 19:30:24 GMT

hi clever people out there!

I've had my computer for about 18 months now but recently ive noticed the computer is struggling with video particularly when i want to watch tv. (the tv card being in its docking station)
The audio seems to work fine but the video lags far behind and sometimes stops altogether.

i thought perhaps it may be a codec problem. I check the codecs' with a program called Sherlock Codec Detective and it does say that the Sony DV software Codec (sonydv.dll) is missing or damaged. Could this be the problem?

My machine is a Vaio VGN-A417S
intel pentium M processor 1.99 GHz
1.00 GB of Ram

regard

bren

Re: video/tv problems

Blencogo — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 19:46:25 GMT

Hi bren and welcome to Club Vaio.

You should find a 'spare' in
C:\Program Files\Sony\DVGate Plus\SonyDVShared Library
You could try copying this to
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\VideoLib
and overwriting the existing file.

EDIT: Make a backup of the one you are going to replace - rename it sonydll.bak - just in case you are replacing it the wrong way round and the one in DVGate Plus is corrupt !!!

Re: video/tv problems

rich912 — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 19:59:45 GMT

I am always a tad suspicious of codec analysing programs. If Blencogo’s suggestion does not have the desired effect then defragmentation of the hard drive may help…

Re: video/tv problems

brendino — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 20:36:37 GMT

thanks very much people. The video seems to be much smoother now. im amazed how such a small file/ seemingly unimportant file can make such a huge difference to the performance of my computer.

cheers

Re: video/tv problems

LEVELman — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 21:51:16 GMT

Guys the same problem as brendino has mentioned... when I click on a details it shows "The driver for this codec was not found. This probably means the coded was not uninstalled properly." I wouldnt mind about this but I wonder if that can solve choppy DVD playback which I am not the onlyone experiencing here. I have been searching on forums and I have only seen issue with turning off fdd filter, but that didnt help me...

Re: video/tv problems

Blencogo — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 23:13:32 GMT

Hi LEVELman,

As you have worked out this must be a codec problem.

Have you tried contacting the official Sony support at Vaio-Link.

As I am sure you know, we are all just enthusiastic Vaio users here on this forum - we are not employees of Sony - so unless we have some members who have managed to find the answer and posted it here, we cannot solve your problem.

Re: video/tv problems

LEVELman — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 23:27:30 GMT

No Blencogo I think I rly used wrong words for what I wanted to tell because I know your expert status is given by forum. I ment original Sony employees who are responsible for this. so I am sorry.

Re: video/tv problems

Blencogo — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 23:36:21 GMT

No problem LEVELman. No offence taken.

I just wanted to be sure you didn't think we were paid employees who are expected to know everything (fat chance LOL).

:smileygrin: :smileygrin: :smileygrin:

Re: video/tv problems

LEVELman — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 10:01:22 GMT

Blencogo just that you know what am I talking about (and that I am not drunk ) see this: http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/7039/driverproblem9qe.jpg

...reported to Vaio-link, I will post some usable answer when provided by ppl who are payed for providing answers

Re: video/tv problems

Blencogo — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 17:52:10 GMT

LEVELman,

Have you tried copying the updated sonydv.dll from DVGate Plus to windows\system32 as above?

Re: video/tv problems

LEVELman — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 19:59:52 GMT

Yes, it was first what I have tryed when I read this. No result, there was still the same message. However I have made full system recovery today, DVD playback is fine (just like first time it helped this time aswell). But until I install some program that will affect it and chopping will be back. I have left case open at vaio-link. Will see...

Re: video/tv problems

LEVELman — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 16:43:28 GMT

Sad to post this:
*** NOTES 24-Jan-2007 Action Type: Info
Thank you for contacting us.

Please be advised that if this has only started happening since you installed the game then you should uninstall the game, and perform a System Restore on your unit. There is possibly a software conflict which is causing your optical drive to perform abnormally.

If this does not solve the issue then you should remove the drive from Device Manager. It will be automatically reinstalled as soon as you restart your VAIO. If you do not know how to access the Device Manager, then please follow the link below:

http://www.vaio-link.com/uk/kb/2000_0/2502.html

If this fails then the best option is to perform a full recovery on your unit. This would determine fully whether or not it is a conflicting software issue. To perform a recovery, just access the VAIO Recovery Tool in your Start Menu. Failing this, just press F10 on startup.

Regards,

Sony Vaio Team

...thats exactly what I dont want to do over and over when this problem comes up