CompuServe Messages

I tried an experiment with the videos. Since the files in the \npvideo directory are .AVI files, I copied a few to my hard disk. I then ran a program by Ron Wodaski, VIDTEST, that runs AVI files and reports on the number of frames skipped. When run from the CD-ROM, over 90% of the frames are skipped. When run from the hard disk 10% or less are skipped! The difference is quite noticeable. In some cases, 0 frames were skipped. This may be due in part to a disk cache. I think these videos are meant to be played back at a higher rate (300KB/s?) than other videos. Some people have suggested that the PAS 16 card is limited in speed in its SCSI port, and I'm beginning to think this is true. Even though Mediavision claims the port can handle 590KB/s. One of these days, I'm going to borrow a SCSI card and see if the performance improves, especially with National Parks. I haven't sent in my NP registration card yet. I intend to put a few comments on it concerning the videos and depth of information! Paul