DJGold

jbrown157 · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 8:31 pm Post subject: stuttering problem

Still in the test phases and having one major issue. I'm running PCDJ red vrm on an IBM Thinkpad A30 w/ P-III 1 GHz, 256 meg and windows XP home. I have a WD2500 hard drive in an external case connected via USB.

The system functions normally except when I open any music folder and scroll through the tracks while playing. The system stutters badly. I could never use this system in this current state. If I leave it alone, it plays just fine. (Please don't say "Just leave it alone! :crazy: )

Any ideas where I should be looking to correct this? Additional memory? different setup?

SirWolfy · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 11:23 pm Post subject:

Jack,

You are not alone as many others have experienced this problem with PCDJ VRM / FX. Unfortunately, you have basically three options...

#1. The option that you mentioned above that is entirely unsatisfactory.

#2. Visit the PCDJ forums for the voodoo procedures to "work around" the problem.

#3. Buy another program that works.

(XP + PCDJ VRM / FX) x USB = Major Headaches!

dokai · Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 1:00 am Post subject: Re: stuttering problem

jbrown157 wrote: Any ideas where I should be looking to correct this? Additional memory? different setup?

You have more than enough hardware to do the job. While bumping up your memory to 512MB would always be nice, it's not really a requirement.

The PCDJ forum has the fixes you need, or you could contact their tech support and have them walk you through. Someone a while back even posted the fixes here in DJGOLD somewhere, but I don't remember where.

DJ-Steve · Joined: May 13th, 2005 Posts: 34 Location: Roanoke, VA

I recommend OTS-DJ

It doesn't stutter, skip or quit..... It just keeps on keeping on

Bryan Durio · Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 8:45 pm Post subject:

Although I think more RAM would benefit you, I second DJ-Steve's recommendation! (Surprise, surprise, surprise!)

jbrown157 · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 6:42 am Post subject: Re: stuttering problem - update

I went to the PCDJ board and found a fix for the problem. It was only a change to the display setting in windows XP. It was simple and the program is performing a lot better now. I still think there's room for improvement. Maybe the memory upgrade is something I should consider.
Thanks for your help and suggestions everyone!

SirWolfy · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 12:57 pm Post subject:

Quote:
Maybe the memory upgrade is something I should consider.

Most definitely! As has been mentioned already, I would recommend a minimum of 512MB RAM for any CPS.

DJPete · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 3:48 pm Post subject:

I Love OTSDJ, but have also encountered a stuttering problem w/ it -- and it was directly related to RAM -- Too many 'extra' processes running -- removed the 'extra's -- and everything is wonderful --

I'm running 512 ram now on HP NX9010 Business Class Notebook, but looking into 1 gig -- never too much! (Only what the pocketbook can afford!)

DJ Iron Mike · Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 9:26 pm Post subject:

When my PCDj stutters, I just close out of the program and turn it back on. Usually cleans it right up. I use PCDJ RED 5.2

I think more ram would benefit anybody. I priced that stuff lately and almost had a heart attack.

Don Niles DJ · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 7:06 am Post subject: Re: stuttering problem

The only time I have ever had a stuttering problem with OTSDJ was when "processing" a CD through it for direct playback while an OTS File was playing at the same time..And this with a laptop with only 256 Ram.

DJ Scott · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 9:49 am Post subject: Re: stuttering problem

I have VRM on a Compaq 2.4Gig 512 machine and it still stutters and FX on a Toshiba 2.4Gig 512 machine and it too stutters. the PCDJ fixes haven't worked for me.
While in Vegas last week someone said...."Oh....you need a gig of RAM"! :shock:

Not according to PCDJ.
Running 5.2 until I can figure it out.

jbrown157 · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:04 am Post subject: Re: stuttering problem

Here's where I am so far. I have make some adjustments on winXP per instructions posted on PCDJ's site;

<<<Product: PCDJ Red VRM Category: PC Setup
When loading a track on Player B, track playing on Player A stutters / Stuttering, how can I fix that?
Your computer’s settings need to be changed. It is common that users set their windows interface settings at their maximum. This setting comes set as standard in windows. You need to adjust your computer for best performance. To optimize your computer; here is what you need to do: Windows XP Users: - Right click on My Computer - Click Properties - Click Properties, then Click Effects Tab - Click Settings Button in Performance Section - Click Adjust for Best Performance - Click Apply, then OK Effects: - Right click on desktop, then Click Properties - Click Appearnce tab - Click the "effects" button - UNCHECK the box to "Use transition effects" - Click Apply, then OK Effects: - Right click on desktop, then Click Properties - Click Appearance tab - Click the "effects" button - UNCHECK the box to "Use transition effects" - Click Apply, then OK - Uncheck box to the left of: "Use transition effects for menus and tooltips" -Click Apply, then OK >>>

This has helped but has not completely corrected the problem. I have also seen a little improvement since installing a USB 2.0 card on the laptop and plugged the external HD into it (the computer only had the 1.0 version). Better, but not yet resolved. I have ordered a 512 memory card. We'll see if that takes care of it. The stuttering only occurs now if I scroll through tracks individually, but not if I move the scroll bar, so I believe that I am close to resolution.

BTW- this problem does not occur when using my desktop, only the laptop, so It would seem that if both PCs are performing the same, the problem should no longer exist. We shall see.

SirWolfy · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 11:02 am Post subject:

Most of the stuttering problems that people are experiencing can ve directly attributed to the heavy use of USB devices and external HDDs as well as the use of WinXP. Switch to using Fire Wire (IEEE 1394B) and most will see their system performance increase as well as the stuttering going away.

CJ Greiner · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 5:20 pm Post subject:

Aren't USB2 and FireWire just about the same? How will switching help?

Thanks,

DJ Scott · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 5:38 pm Post subject: Re: stuttering problem

USB 2 at 480bits and Firewire at 400.
Firewire 800 is just that...800.
I use no external drives and still get the stutter even with all of PCDJ's help suggestions.
Guess it just doesn't like me. :)

SirWolfy · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 5:46 pm Post subject:

Fire Wire was specifically designed by Apple to be a stable architecture for high-bandwidth multimedia applications, USB (even with the new USB 2.0 specification) is not. In a nutshell, USB uses more RAM and CPU time as the controller for the USB bus, whereas Fire Wire uses some RAM, but features it's own dedicated controller.

The reason that USB + WinXP = stuttering problems is rooted in XP achillies heel, memory addressing. Becuase USB uses more memory and CPU time than Fire Wire, the problem is amplified and much more prevelant in CPSs that make liberal use USB devices. Quite frankly, USB was never designed for the "power user" in mind and is better suited for limited use as seen with keyboards and mice.

A resource that I frequently quote and sums USB up rather nicely...

Quote:
CompTIA A+ Computer Technician Certification Manual: Pages 76-77

USB Ports

This standard will replace many I/O (input / ouput) ports on a computer. It works well for the average user, but falls short of meeting the specialized needs of the power user who needs optimal performance.

Since DJ programs require the majority of USB bandwidth, it is immediately dedicated (as in nothing else can use it) the moment you turn the CPS on. Basically what this means is, when you try to run several USB devices at the same time, you are getting a "traffic jam" for lack of a better (less technical) term, which has the computer swapping bandwidth back and forth to accomplish everything that you have plugged into it (such as swapping between playing a song and moving the mouse pointer), that causes allof the stuttering.

In other words, to put it rather bluntly, USB is for the ametuer user... CPS DJing is a high-end or resource intensive use of a computer, which USB has never been considered a satisfactory solution for.

jwg · Joined: September 15th, 2004 Posts: 1089 Location: Erie, PA

I've read that if you have used USB 2.0 for your external hard drive up to this point, it is dangerous and can be damaging to your external to switch to firewire. Is this true?

SirWolfy · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:18 pm Post subject:

Greets John,

Not that I am aware of... Was this from a HDD / external enclosure manufacturer?

The only damage that would occur would be to the actual data or more likely, the boot sector / registry of the external HDD. This is solved by simply partitioning and formatting the drive again, then you should be able to reload your music library from a backup.

jwg · Joined: September 15th, 2004 Posts: 1089 Location: Erie, PA

Thanks for the heads up SirWolfy. Not that I am planning on moving in a firewire direction. My external HD (in its own case, not one I did myself) has FW capability, but my Rackmount doesn't. I use the external HD to rip with my laptop system, then transfer over to my rackmount utilizing Foldersync.
They are not networked either. The way my small home is set up it's not possible.

SirWolfy · Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2006 2:40 pm Post subject:

If you have the expansion slots open in the rear of the unit, you could easily pick up a PCI-Fire Wire adapter card, relatively cheaply... Should you ever need / desire to go that direction.

I think I remember where you seen something along that lines however, it was a thread on ProDJ, about someone that was using an external HDD via USB for one unit and swapping to another unit via Fire Wire. If I remember correctly, the cause of the problem was from the individual simply unplugging the external without properly stopping the Mass Storage service within Windows first (which led to file / data corruption).