Thinkpads Forum

Have a 770x here. Current video is "Trident Video Accelerator 3D Cyber 9397DVD" Is it possible to play DVDs with this card? I am considering fetching a DVD (FRU #05K9014) unit. But would I need to replace the Cyber 9397DVD too? The current unit needs a BIOS update (to support XP) ..so I am working on achieving that.

What DVD player software would work on the 770x with XPpro?

The 770x does not have the Thinkpad Config program on it anymore. Is the program available separately somewhere?

The only really way to have good DVD playback is to also have the DEVA card installed along with the DVD player....if you have one already there will be 3 little ports directly under the main battery,if not you'll see a little cover with 2 screws holding the cover on....that is where you'll need to put the card if there isn't one there... here's one on ebay....not me selling,just showing you what it is,and where you can get one.. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 47495&rd=1

This card also allows for video capture,from say a video camera....or output to a TV...both needing one of these cables....also not me selling,just showing you... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 63427&rd=1 The other cable goes on that little floppy port on the rear of the comp,to use a joystick...Your current video card is fine,you just need that DEVA card for non choppy play...

XP is great for watching them...once you install the drivers for that DEVA card,windows media player plays them perfect.....

Drivers for the DEVA card are here(MPEG Features),just click continue anyway when the prompt comes up when installing... http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... SHY-46FRPA

The configuration utility is here http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... IGR-4ZFRG3

On my 770X when I do a fresh install of XP,the first thing i install after is the XP Supplements,then the Configuration Utility,then the Battery maximiser Utility,then the Mpeg files.....thats it,I don't install any of the trackpoint ones...works fine the way it is....or any of the other crap...

Have Fun !!!!

Greg St.L

THANKYOU Greg so much for these leads and information! It is good to know that the 770x can be expanded for use as a DVD player afterall. BTW.. Will 128mb ram suffice, or is there an absolute minimum for DVD playback?

No problem...glad to help...

I ran 128Mb on mine for awhile,and all was well......would notice a nice difference with an extra 128MB....usually get them on ebay from 10-30 bucks....

sickofit wrote:The only really way to have good DVD playback is to also have the DEVA card installed along with the DVD player. ...Your current video card is fine,you just need that DEVA card for non choppy play... XP is great for watching them...once you install the drivers for that DEVA card,windows media player plays them perfect.....

Thanks for the encouragement. I have already made use of the links. A new DVD player and a refurbished IBM DEVA card will be on its way following a quick bid on eBay. QUESTIONS.. You said that WMP plays the DVDs fine... but what is the minimum version I would need of the player? (the TP currently has v8.0). Do I also need a minimum DirectX version? (the TP currently has v8.1, and I dread installing the uninstallable version 9)

Maybe I jumped the gun on all this.. but the TP only has a 300mhz CPU. Will DVD playback suffer for this despite the DEVA upgrade?

Also.. will the DEVA card be supported with thirdparty DVD software such as PowerDVD?

You said that WMP plays the DVDs fine... but what is the minimum version I would need of the player? (the TP currently has v8.0). Do I also need a minimum DirectX version? (the TP currently has v8.1, and I dread installing the uninstallable version 9)

Using the versions that come with XP will be fine....both WMP and Directx....I never install Directx 9,the odd time,i've installed WMP 9,but it makes no difference...

Maybe I jumped the gun on all this.. but the TP only has a 300mhz CPU. Will DVD playback suffer for this despite the DEVA upgrade?

The 300Mhz will be fine....You can actually play DVD's on a 200Mhz 770 if you have the DEVA card installed !!!

Also.. will the DEVA card be supported with thirdparty DVD software such as PowerDVD?

No,PowerDVD will not make use of the DEVA card,thus it cannot play non-choppy playback of DVD's.....I do believe i've installed one of the interactual players that come on most good DVD's,and it worked fine ,after installing the Mpeg drivers.....Actually these Interactual prompts are kind of a pain.....if you don't have it installed,it will come up with a install prompt everytime you stick in a DVD with it on it.....even setting WMP to play on DVD insertion....you have to cancel,and go to Start>Accesories>Entertainment>DVD Player,and start it that way...

Hope this helps.....Have Fun!!!!

Greg St.L

Just a quick/short update on my 770x + DVD situation. DEVA card and DVD drive arrived intact. All installed without a hitch. DVD's are wonderfully viewable on the laptop! I am most impressed. Just a couple of noticeables... [1] There is a white line on the leftmost edge of the viewing screen in full-screen mode. [2] The screen brightness could use a boost, but it's cranked up on the LCD panel; is there any other way to improve contrast and brightness? For movie watching it seems to be a bit on the dim side.