Preferences: Hardware

These preferences change how RealPlayer interacts with specific hardware devices (such as sound and video cards) installed in your system. In most cases the default settings will work correctly. Read the description for each setting carefully before changing any of them.

 Option

  

Description

Playback Performance

CPU Usage: RealPlayer uses this setting to optimize the performance of clip playback. Adjust this performance setting only if your computer seems sluggish or has problems while playing content.

Enable full screen video controls: (Default is On) When selected, RealPlayer displays a Video Screen tab and Toolbar when playing presentations in Full Screen Theater mode.

Sound Card Compatibility

  

Click Settings... to modify sound card settings to overcome common audio problems with older sound cards.

Disable 16-bit sound: (use 8-bit only):

Use this setting if you have an older sound card and clips sound scratchy or distorted.

Disable custom sampling rates:

Use this setting if clips play at the wrong speed or sound scratchy or distorted.

Disable Direct Sound:

Using Direct Sound can improve sound quality but it requires more CPU capacity.

Playback Quality:

Moving the slider to the left (Most reliable) increases error checking but lowers the bit-rate. Moving the slider to the right (best quality) increases the bit-rate but decreases error checking.

Video Card Compatibility

  

Move the slider to decrease (Most reliable) or increase (Best performance) the use of your video card's advanced capabilities. Older video cards or video drivers may not function properly with this feature. If your video is acting erratically, try setting the slider all the way to the left (most reliable).

Note: You will have to reboot your system after changing this selection before the change can take effect