dvd flicker

[rustico]

I realize that there are numerous possible answers to my inquiry and I am not certain what or how much information is needed in order to answer my question so let me just ask. I have an R42 - 2379DXU and when my daugther plays a dvd on it it flickers continuously. Gernerally speaking is this a normal occurance or is there something I can do to correct this annoyance. I can be more specific with particulars if guided.
Thank you.

[Inky]

I have an R42 - 2379DXU and when my daugther plays a dvd on it it flickers continuously.

Jeeez, you forgot to select the "turn off flicker" button.

Ok, just kidding, but seriously I am also interested in hearing people's input on this problem, because I am thinking of getting a DXU and I would like to be able to watch DVD movies on it without any problems.

You didn't mention what kind of drive you have it it. Did you customize it to add an Ultrabay Slim MULTI-BURNER drive?
I thought I saw someone say that the multi-burner is much slower than the other drives. Too slow to play DVD movies? That would be a shame, because I was hoping to get the multi-burner as a way to back up data on DVD-RAM disks which are fantastic--as simple and straightforward to use as a hard drive.

-Inky

[rustico]

I did not customize the drive. It has the standard drive: HL-DT-ST RW/DVD GCC-4242N.
The flickering is minimized a bit by rapidly blinking the eye's.
The 2739DUX is a wonderful machine by the way.
Thanks for input.

[slagmi]

Is she using the IBM provided DVD playback sofftware or a player found on the DVD that was inserted?

[rustico]

Thanks Slagmi, I apprciate the reply.
Frankly, to answer your question, I'm not sure. We popped the dvd in and it started to play. I was not aware that I had a choice of software. I have to assume that it is the software supplied by IBM.

[Inky]

I have to assume that it is the software supplied by IBM.

Rustico,
Here's a recommendation:

See if the software running the DVD playback gives you any on-screen controls. If it does, look to see if that software says either "WinDVD" or "InterVideo" on it. If NOT then do this:

Go to www.InterVideo.com

When you see a row of folder style tabs, select the one that says "Watch" and you'll see four options:
- WinDVD
- WinDVD Recorder
- InterVideo HomeTheater
- MediaOne

Select just the plain "WinDVD". That gets you a page showing various flavors of WinDVD 6.

Download the Free Trial version for either the Gold or Platinum edition of WinDVD 6.

Install the program and try playing your DVD's using that program. That is the program IBM bundles with their high end performance ThinkPads.

The trial version works for 14 days--enough time to thoroughly test your ThinkPad's DVD playback ability and see if the problem is just a matter of having the right software or is due to some problem with the hardware.

I hope that helps. Let me know how it works out.
-Inky

[rustico]

Inky,
Thanks a bunch. I looked into the software bundled with my notebook and it indicates that WINDVD5.0 is there. However, I did go to the InterVideo site and downloaded the trial 6.0 version. The flickering problem nolonger exsists.
My blinking solution will not be missed.

[Inky]

Inky,
Thanks a bunch. I looked into the software bundled with my notebook and it indicates that WINDVD5.0 is there. However, I did go to the InterVideo site and downloaded the trial 6.0 version. The flickering problem nolonger exsists.
My blinking solution will not be missed.

Great! I was thinking of getting a DXU or similar unit (R9U) and you had me worried. It's a relief to hear the problem was easy to fix with the right software.
Take care,
-Inky