How to Optimize Video Playback from CD-ROM

This article describes steps to help you optimize the playback of digital video files from a CD-ROM in Windows 95 and Windows 98.

When you are playing digital video files in Windows, frames may be dropped, resulting in jerky playback. To make the playback of digital video files from a CD-ROM smoother in Windows, optimize the caching of the CD-ROM drive. To do so, follow the steps in the sections below.

Optimizing CD-ROM Drive Caching

Optimization of CD-ROM data caching can reduce the number of dropped frames when you play digital video files. This increases playback smoothness.

To optimize CD-ROM data caching, you must first determine if you are using real-mode or protected-mode drivers to access the CD-ROM drive. To determine this, follow these steps:

1. In Control Panel, double-click System.
2. Click the Device Manager tab.

If a CD-ROM branch is listed, you are using protected-mode drivers. Use the steps in the "Optimizing Protected-Mode CD-ROM Drive Caching" section.

Optimizing Real-Mode CD-ROM Drive Caching

To optimize CD-ROM data caching using real-mode drivers, follow these steps:

1. In Control Panel, double-click System.
2. On the Performance tab, click File System.
3. On the CD-ROM tab, click "No read-ahead" in the Optimize Access Pattern For box.
4. Click OK.

Optimizing Protected-Mode CD-ROM Drive Caching

To optimize CD-ROM data caching using protected-mode drivers, follow these steps:

1. In Control Panel, double-click System.
2. On the Performance tab, click File System.
3. On the CD-ROM tab, click the appropriate speed for your CD-ROM drive in the Optimize Access Pattern For box.
   
   NOTE: Selecting a faster speed than is appropriate for your CD-ROM drive does not increase performance.
4. Make sure that the Supplemental Cache Size slider is set all the way to the right (the Large setting), and then click OK.

If optimizing CD-ROM drive caching does not result in smoother video file playback, consider the following items:

• Reduce the video hardware acceleration. For information about doing so, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
  ARTICLE-ID: 127139  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/127139/EN-US/ )
  TITLE : Troubleshooting Video Problems in Windows 95
• Add additional RAM to your computer system.
• Upgrade to a faster CD-ROM drive.
• Upgrade to a faster video card.