Probably a stupid question...

[MystikTK]

I'm just wondering...

If I'm converting a file (or files), is it harmful to be doing something else while the conversion is in progress? i.e., browsing the internet, looking through folders etc.


Thanks.

[xoas]

Re: Probably a stupid question...

Although I do this all the time, this can be a problem depending on your system's age and capacity and exactly what it is you are doing (3d gaming or high-end photo or graphic programs can place a great load on system resources and are more likely to create a straing than web surfing,word processing or computer solitaire).

One good thing for any multi-taasker to do (assuming you have the registered Power Pack) is to set your Conversion Priority to Below Normal. This option is set in the same window that displays the progress of conversion. This option helps avoid any problems with conflicts for system resources and helps prevent potential problems with your conversions.

Best wishes,
Bill

[LtData]

Re: Probably a stupid question...

As xoas said, doing simple things like browsing the Internet shouldn't greatly affect your system as long as your system is fairly modern. Just remember that browsing the hard drive might slow it down more than just, say, browsing the web. And don't do anything stressful like zipping or unzipping a file, playing a 3D game, and even watching a DVD in your computer will eat up a large amount of CPU cycles.

[dbample]

Re: Probably a stupid question...

As xoas said, doing simple things like browsing the Internet shouldn't greatly affect your system as long as your system is fairly modern. Just remember that browsing the hard drive might slow it down more than just, say, browsing the web. And don't do anything stressful like zipping or unzipping a file, playing a 3D game, and even watching a DVD in your computer will eat up a large amount of CPU cycles.

Isn't this answering a slightly different, thought equally important, question? I think it will be also interesting to know if, despite possible slowdowns due to concurrent disk/CPU usage, dMC is able to successfully convert/rip a file/files (however long it takes) without any difference on playback. I thought this is more what the poster asking the original question was interested in, and I am too.

I thought that, at least theoretically, the ripped file through dMC should be identical at the end of the ripping/conversion (we exclude actual program crashing for the sake of the argument) - concurrent CPU/disk usage or not. Is this true in practice?

[ChristinaS]

Re: Probably a stupid question...

Conversion is either successful or not. It is also exactly reproducible, for the same exact input file and codec and settings. Whether it takes long or short you get the same results, as long as it's successful and has not abended.

It's not like recording through auxiliary input which can be affected by external events that can add nosie.

[MystikTK]

Re: Probably a stupid question...

Isn't this answering a slightly different, thought equally important, question? I think it will be also interesting to know if, despite possible slowdowns due to concurrent disk/CPU usage, dMC is able to successfully convert/rip a file/files (however long it takes) without any difference on playback. I thought this is more what the poster asking the original question was interested in, and I am too.

Yep, that's what I was asking, although the CPU usage is a helpful point, all the same.

So can I assume that my basic multi-tasking shouldn't cause any playback issues?

[LtData]

Re: Probably a stupid question...

Correct. Do note that if your CPU is extremely slow (sub-500MHz) the playback might be affected. Other than that, it shouldn't be.

[neilthecellist]

Re: Probably a stupid question...

Following LtData's model, I'd like to comment on this.

With my Pentium 4 2.8 ghz processor and crummy GeForce 4 MX, I play Indigo Prophecy sometimes whilst converting files with dMC, but just note that if you don't set the priority level in the dMC conversion to something lower than normal, other applications you run will run slowly.