Webcam=huge resource hog? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

billege · 05-10-2003, 09:34 AM

Okey dokey,

I've got a computer.

XP 1600+
Gigabyte 7vax mobo
512mb ddr333
Radeon 7500 64mb set to 1152x864 @ 32 bit displaying @ 85hz
WDigital special edition 80 gigger
WDigital 30 gigger
Lite-on 40x24x48
Phillips 8x4x32

That's the hardware, on to the software,

Win XP, SP1 and all current updates.

Norton System works 2003 Pro is running. Really just the NAV.
Zone Alarm
pop up stopper
a hardware monitor

that's all I think is running in the back. (that's using any resources, really)

I've also got a Alaris WeeCam hooked up today. I can not believe how much of my CPU time that damn thing SUCKS up. It almost seems like it's using enough that it ain't right.
The cam hooks up through LPT1, and I set that port to ECP, which did reduce the resources it used. Now I'm talking 60% CPU usage with a 320x240 size, 1fps capture, fast (low) pixel quality, no audio capture. I don't get it. The amount of RAM being used does not jump significantly.

Is this normal? I'm using the videocard creator that came with the camera, and I'm looking for some different capture software to use. But, should the camera use so much CPU? If I up the pixel quality to high, my CPU usage jumps to 80%. That's nuts.

At idle this computer sits at 0-3% CPU usage, and I've never been disappointed with it's performance before. This just seems strange.

Does my video card suck too much? Some settings I should change maybe? The Radeon is set to performance, not quality settings. I just don' t know.
Help?
Thanks.

Banginblaz · 05-10-2003, 10:31 AM

your video card has nothing to do with the lpt1 port. So changing the settings on that will not help one bit.

It has been my experiance that anything running through lpt1 uses ungodly amounts of resources, so thats what I think it is. Barrow someones usb cam, and try that out, see if you have the same problem, if so, your stuck.

I dont have a webcam, so I cant tell you if that is inherant with it, but I'm sure someone will soon........

billege · 05-10-2003, 10:37 AM

Changing the LPT 1 settings was part of the readme file for the camera. I didn't think it'd make a difference with the videocard, but it did with CPU usage. With the same video settigs the CPU was running 74-82%%, after I changed the port settings down to 63-66% zone. I had a feeling it may be that port. I don't think it was ever meant for video,heh, I may have to buy a USB camera.

05-10-2003, 09:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
billege Watcher Location: Ohio	Webcam=huge resource hog? Okey dokey, I've got a computer. XP 1600+ Gigabyte 7vax mobo 512mb ddr333 Radeon 7500 64mb set to 1152x864 @ 32 bit displaying @ 85hz WDigital special edition 80 gigger WDigital 30 gigger Lite-on 40x24x48 Phillips 8x4x32 That's the hardware, on to the software, Win XP, SP1 and all current updates. Norton System works 2003 Pro is running. Really just the NAV. Zone Alarm pop up stopper a hardware monitor that's all I think is running in the back. (that's using any resources, really) I've also got a Alaris WeeCam hooked up today. I can not believe how much of my CPU time that damn thing SUCKS up. It almost seems like it's using enough that it ain't right. The cam hooks up through LPT1, and I set that port to ECP, which did reduce the resources it used. Now I'm talking 60% CPU usage with a 320x240 size, 1fps capture, fast (low) pixel quality, no audio capture. I don't get it. The amount of RAM being used does not jump significantly. Is this normal? I'm using the videocard creator that came with the camera, and I'm looking for some different capture software to use. But, should the camera use so much CPU? If I up the pixel quality to high, my CPU usage jumps to 80%. That's nuts. At idle this computer sits at 0-3% CPU usage, and I've never been disappointed with it's performance before. This just seems strange. Does my video card suck too much? Some settings I should change maybe? The Radeon is set to performance, not quality settings. I just don' t know. Help? Thanks. __________________ I can sum up the clash of religion in one sentence: "My Invisible Friend is better than your Invisible Friend."

05-10-2003, 10:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
billege Watcher Location: Ohio	Changing the LPT 1 settings was part of the readme file for the camera. I didn't think it'd make a difference with the videocard, but it did with CPU usage. With the same video settigs the CPU was running 74-82%%, after I changed the port settings down to 63-66% zone. I had a feeling it may be that port. I don't think it was ever meant for video,heh, I may have to buy a USB camera. __________________ I can sum up the clash of religion in one sentence: "My Invisible Friend is better than your Invisible Friend."

05-10-2003, 10:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
Banginblaz Dont stop here; This is bat country! Location: North East	your video card has nothing to do with the lpt1 port. So changing the settings on that will not help one bit. It has been my experiance that anything running through lpt1 uses ungodly amounts of resources, so thats what I think it is. Barrow someones usb cam, and try that out, see if you have the same problem, if so, your stuck. I dont have a webcam, so I cant tell you if that is inherant with it, but I'm sure someone will soon........