2 �� drives are very good with power generally � the real power loss (which
you can�t escape) is from the screen. But with a DVD drive you�ve got a
much more power-hungry drive and the DVD decoding pushing up CPU usage. On
my system, at least, decoding a DVD movie uses 80%+ CPU while decoding a DVD
movie ripped to Windows Media takes 20% or less.
In either case a lot of the video is buffered to RAM so I�m not sure how
much better a flash solution would be than a hard disk. Still � if you can
afford it � every little bit could help.
We got my father a 512MB SD card for his IPAQ and he can easily watch a
three hour movie on a full charge. My HP Jornada (with an extended battery)
can easily top that � but his screen is much better (but I�m using a 1GB
Compact Flassh card so I can store more� neener neener neener).
What I�m really waiting for is the Sony PSP. Initial design specs indicate
that it supports a custom Mini-DVD format that can hold 1.6 GB and will be
pushed by Sony as a portable movie format. The unit itself claims to
support �7.1 Surround Sound� and has a screen (on paper at least) that puts
most handheld screens to shame.
Current scuttlebutt is that it�ll be release early fourth quarter � but
whether that means it�ll be available in the US then is anybody�s guess.
Jim Davis
_____
From: Jim Campbell [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 8:22 PM
To: CF-Community
Subject: Re: watching films on arplanes
I bet the battery will last even longer if you were to rip it to, say, a
2 GB CF or PCMCIA card. They'd probably use even less power than an
internal HDD.
- Jim
Jim Davis wrote:
>On the few planes trips I've taken with the kids I always put something on
>the laptop - "Lady and the Tramp", "Lion King", etc. The battery lasts SO
>much longer if you rip the movies to the harddisk than if you play them off
>the built in DVD player.
>
>I always invite the kids near us to watch as well: I get to read in quiet,
>my wife gets to meet and talk with other moms and some kids get distracted
>for a coupla hours.
>
>Jim Davis
>
> _____
>
>From: Jim Campbell [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 6:56 PM
>To: CF-Community
>Subject: Re: watching films on arplanes
>
>I sat next to a guy on a flight from Chicago to San Antonio who pulled
>out a laptop and started watching "Topsy-Turvy". After a few minutes,
>he asked if I'd like to watch (I wasn't craning my neck or anything, I'd
>seen it numerous times). Seeing as I had a choice of reading that
>godawful in-flight magazine or watching the movie, I accepted. He had a
>headphone splitter and another set of (nice) phones in his bag. Nice
>guy. Good movie.
>
>- Jim
>
>Raymond Camden wrote:
>
>
>
>>So, I don't expect anyone to admit to it - but has anyone heard of someone
>>watching a dvd screener (or some other film obviously not released yet) on
>>
>>
>a
>
>
>>laptop on a plane and having someone in their row complain? I just thought
>>it would be kind of funny - like if you were seated next to a lawyer for
>>Paramount. ;)
>>
>>-rc
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
> _____
>
>
>
_____
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