This week on Reader Question and Answer we have a couple of reader questions as well as a reader submitted hack for converting the Media Browser cache to use a more efficient disk. If you’ve got questions be sure to check out our site and if you can’t find the answers you’re looking for send in your questions at the end of this post!
Question #1 from Steve
What is the purpose of NVidia’s PureVideo Decoder and is it beneficial to a HTPC setup for HD Movies/Games.
I installed it when I was running Vista before, however, I didn’t really notice a difference. Now that I am running Windows 7, I am debating whether I need to use this. Currently, all I have installed is the K-lite Mega Codec Pack.
Would I see any performance improvements from this software?
Answer
The answer to this depends on your hardware and the type of video you’re playing. If your using an onboard video chip and playing standard definition video you’re unlikely to see any benefit from changing codecs. If, however, you have a recent add-on video card such as this GeForce 9500 GT Video Card and are playing HD video the benefit could be a substantially smoother video playback utilizing DXVA.
Question #2 from Ken Prescott
I live in Southern Mass and have Comcast as my cable provider. I cannot after all my efforts get the correct guide on my Win7 machine. Ive tried all the listings it comes up with to no avail. Any suggestions?
Answer
I would try the recently reviewed Guide Tool which lists quite a few more listings than would normally be given by a scan from Windows 7 Media Center. If you still don’t get the listings you’re looking for you could easily use it to create a custom lineup.
Reader Submission from Steve Washburn
I thought you might be interested in a How To guide I made on MediaBrowser’s forum. (http://www.mediabrowser.tv/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=2802) Maybe you wanted to post on your site.
It installs MediaBrowser on a RAMDISK to boost the speed and the display of the cached thumbnails. It works awesome. Thumbnails display instantly and graphic intensive themes run very smoothly ie. the Vanilla theme.
I love your site and hope I can make a contribution. I got the idea from today’s post.
Cheers
Steve (Washy)
Answer
Great guide! For those lacking in excess RAM you could also use a USB Flash Disk such as that used in the recent guide to moving the Live TV Buffer to a USB Drive as well. The number of uses for small fast media drives are certainly looking up for Media Center users.
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