RE: CPU Utilization - Xbox 360 Extender Vista Media Center

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Hi Dan H:
I don't know if it will solve your problem but I noticed in your list of
hardware that you have 1.5 GB RAM. I'm guessing you either have (3) 512 MB
memory modules or (1) 512 GB & (1) 1 GB memory module. If you are using DDR2
memory, I think you need to install the modules in equal pairs on the
motherboard in order for the memory to run at the "double-data rate". There
is a considerable increase in memory thru-put when used that way. (Double).
You should check and see if you have the memory modules installed in pairs if
it is DDR2......not a pair and a single or else all memory will operate in
single channel mode.

xiowan..........in tucson

"Dan H" wrote:

My PC has been upgraded to Vista Ultimate and I was able to connect my Xbox
360 (hard-wired) without a problem..

But, when I playback HDTV on the Xbox, CPU utilization is not low and smooth
as it was under MCE2005, but very spikey. The ehshell.exe process runs
anywhere from 0 to 70% CPU utilization. Playback on the Media Center
iteself is smooth. Network throughput is also smooth! Interestingly, there
is no or lowered spiking if I am watching Live TV rather than pre-recorded
or time-shifted even a second.

I have investigated and ruled out the network card (replaced it with a 3Com
card...no difference), changed network switch, examined hard drive bandwidth
(changed drives and verified plenty of throughput using HD Tach), tried
PowerDVD 7 (I know this should not make a difference).

Normaly this would not be a problem, but if I am watching TV on the Xbox
while also recording, the high CPU utilization causes choppy recordings.

At this point, I am completely stumped and am looking for a solution!

Other things I have done to boost performance:
1.. Disabled User Access Control
2.. Set the Windows Color Scheme to "Vista Basic". This disables the Aero
interface and dwm.exe stops using CPU.
3.. Set Power Options to "High Performance".
4.. Disabled auto defrag settings so that it does not automatcially
defrag. Defragging while recording is a definite problem...even if
defragging on a seperate disk from the recording disk. Also removed McAfee
auto-defrag settings.
5.. Turned off Orb. Every time a recording starts, the CPU spikes while
Orb does someting...I assume it is categorizing and building a thumbnail.
6.. I am still trying to figure out what ehvid.exe does. It also spikes
while recording.
My PC:
HP Media Center m376n w/upgrades
Upgraded from MCE 2004 to 2005 to Vista Ultimate
Pentium 4 2.6 w/HT
1.5GB RAM
nVidia 6200 graphics card, currently running Beta drivers 100.64 (not the
most current...I hope to try those later)
Microsoft decoder...open to other options if there is one that works...I
really need hardware acceleration!
Internal 250GB HD (not used for recording)
External 400GB USB2 HD (Used for Recording)
2GB Flash drive used for ReadyBoost
eMuzed Maui-class NTSC tuner
ATI HDTV Wonder ATSC tuner
Vbox External USB2 ATSC tuner
2 Xbox 360s used as Media Center Extenders (both hard-wired)
McAfee VirusScan

If you wish to contact me directly, please do so at
danhvos@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (remove the "nospam.")



.



Relevant Pages

  • Re: CPU Utilization - Xbox 360 Extender Vista Media Center
    ... obviously they only go at 100 mbps but network bandwith isn't an issue - ... This system runs on DDR memory which are in pairs. ... But, when I playback HDTV on the Xbox, CPU utilization is not low ... while also recording, the high CPU utilization causes choppy ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter)
  • Re: CPU Utilization - Xbox 360 Extender Vista Media Center
    ... It sounds like your PC's NIC is overwhelming the buffer in your switch ... This system runs on DDR memory which are in pairs. ... anywhere from 0 to 70% CPU utilization. ... while also recording, the high CPU utilization causes choppy ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter)
  • Re: CPU Utilization - Xbox 360 Extender Vista Media Center
    ... What make/model network card do you have? ... runs anywhere from 0 to 70% CPU utilization. ... while also recording, the high CPU utilization causes choppy recordings. ... Disabled auto defrag settings so that it does not automatcially ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter)
  • Re: CPU Utilization - Xbox 360 Extender Vista Media Center
    ... It's ok if the memory is different as long as installed in pairs. ... I think you need to install the modules in equal pairs on the ... anywhere from 0 to 70% CPU utilization. ... while also recording, the high CPU utilization causes choppy recordings. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter)
  • Re: CPU Utilization - Xbox 360 Extender Vista Media Center
    ... This system runs on DDR memory which are in pairs. ... anywhere from 0 to 70% CPU utilization. ... while also recording, the high CPU utilization causes choppy recordings. ... Disabled auto defrag settings so that it does not automatcially ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter)