Windows DreamScene delayed but coming soon...

(5 replies) #1 xxdesmus on 30 Jan 2007 - 18:20

So I think by "uses virtually no CPU (just a little for decoding the video)." They mean 25%, unless the leaked beta is nothing like the final version (we can hope).

Yes, I have a perfectly capable graphics card, and a perfectly capable CPU, but I will not waste 25% of my CPU on a wallpaper.

Let's hope they can get this until 10% at most.

#1.1 Danrarbc on 30 Jan 2007 - 18:22

As far as I've heard the leaked beta was old and didn't have gpu video acceleration in it.

#1.2 daniel_rh on 30 Jan 2007 - 18:24

Quote - (xxdesmus said @ #1)

So I think by "uses virtually no CPU (just a little for decoding the video)." They mean 25%, unless the leaked beta is nothing like the final version (we can hope).

Yes, I have a perfectly capable graphics card, and a perfectly capable CPU, but I will not waste 25% of my CPU on a wallpaper.

Let's hope they can get this until 10% at most.

2-10% depending on CPU power

#1.3 Frogboy on 30 Jan 2007 - 18:33

It uses about 8% on my ThinkPad T60 (laptop). On a more powerful machine, it's even less.

That said, it will also depend on the type of video content -- MPEG is bigger but easier to decode. WMV is smaller (file size) but takes more CPU.

And if you add Stardock DeskScapes (which will be free btw) you can then use dynamic content and eliminate even that.

#1.4 xxdesmus on 30 Jan 2007 - 19:25

Quote - (Frogboy said @ #1.3)

It uses about 8% on my ThinkPad T60 (laptop). On a more powerful machine, it's even less.

That said, it will also depend on the type of video content -- MPEG is bigger but easier to decode. WMV is smaller (file size) but takes more CPU.

And if you add Stardock DeskScapes (which will be free btw) you can then use dynamic content and eliminate even that.

My desktop is a 3.6Ghz Pentium 4 (Prescott) with a 7800GT OC ...so I shouldn't have much trouble with the decoding, but yeah...the cpu usage usually hangs around 20-25%, perhaps I am just using the wrong video content.

Wanna hook us up with an exclusive beta preview of DeskScapes? (kidding) I am quite excited to try that out

#1.5 Frogboy on 30 Jan 2007 - 19:57

If I had to guess, you're probably using WMVs. Don't. Use MPEG. When DeskScapes becomes available, you'll be able to use .dream files which have been designed as wallpapers (i.e. encoded for low CPU decoding).

#2 Elite_graphix on 30 Jan 2007 - 18:38

anyone know where i can get some small high def avi files - like the one shown in the keynote yesterday?

(2 replies) #3 medion on 30 Jan 2007 - 18:52

Will it be possible to install DreamScene on Business Edition?

#3.1 Liquidfox on 30 Jan 2007 - 19:06

Unlikely. The download is built into sort of a special section for Ultimate (don't quote me on that, only played on RC2)

#3.2 +Island Dog on 30 Jan 2007 - 21:21

DreamScene is part of Ultimate Extras, so it's only available on Vista Ultimate.

#4 +littleneutrino on 30 Jan 2007 - 19:09

when using this software i do not have an issue with it taking any resources it actually uses so little i do not notice it running the only issue i have with it is that there is a black flash when the video loops. even though the video i use is a perfect loop video (designed that way)

(3 replies) #5 Croquant on 30 Jan 2007 - 20:06

Boy, Microsoft is sure busy... redefining what an "Ultimate" perk is.

Come on, a wallpaper? Nobody actualy NEEDS a wallpaper, no matter how flashy and moving it is. For what you pay for Ultimate, it hardly seems worth it.

#5.1 _dandy_ on 30 Jan 2007 - 21:48

Quote - (Croquant said @ #5)

For what you pay for Ultimate, it hardly seems worth it.

I truly hope nobody is paying the extra money for Ultimate for the sake of its associated freebies. There's other reasons to get Ultimate; as you said, these extras are just perks and nothing else.

#5.2 MrCobra on 31 Jan 2007 - 04:05

Quote - (_dandy_ said @ #5.1)

Quote - (Croquant said @ #5)

For what you pay for Ultimate, it hardly seems worth it.

I truly hope nobody is paying the extra money for Ultimate for the sake of its associated freebies.

I wouldn't doubt it for a minute. A few people I know and a few of the ones I've seen post on here have said they're only getting Vista because of Aero.

#5.3 _dandy_ on 31 Jan 2007 - 16:14

Quote - (MrCobra said @ #5.2)

I wouldn't doubt it for a minute. A few people I know and a few of the ones I've seen post on here have said they're only getting Vista because of Aero.

And if past history is any indication, those will be the ones complaining the loudest after just a few days of use.

It's a whole freakin' OS, people...do your research.

(5 replies) #6 ahhell on 30 Jan 2007 - 20:19

"Most anticipated"????? Wow some people are easily excited.

IT'S FRICKEN WALLPAPER. Who cares!?!?!?

#6.1 excalpius on 30 Jan 2007 - 21:17

Well, this is all Vista has to get excited about, so...

#6.2 elONEam on 30 Jan 2007 - 21:32

I think when the post is written by Brad Wardell, owner of Stardock, it has to be taken with a pinch of salt.

#6.3 Frogboy on 30 Jan 2007 - 23:17

Okay, how about this:

The ultimate extras so far are:

Bitlocker
A single player Texas Holdem Game
A feature that lets you have multiple languages on the same computer
Windows DreamScene

Of the list above, which one do you think is the most anticipated?

#6.4 theyarecomingforyou on 31 Jan 2007 - 00:18

Well I would say Texas Hold'Em, followed by Bitlocker. DreamScene is definitely a nice extra but I see it as a novelty that you'd try a few times and then leave.

#6.5 +rm20010 on 31 Jan 2007 - 05:15

Quote - (Frogboy said @ #6.3)

Okay, how about this:

The ultimate extras so far are:

Bitlocker
A single player Texas Holdem Game
A feature that lets you have multiple languages on the same computer
Windows DreamScene

Of the list above, which one do you think is the most anticipated?

I'll take number 3 and 4. 1 and 2 I don't care much about.

(1 reply) #7 Netrack on 30 Jan 2007 - 20:34

Will it be possible to get this on any other version of vista?

#7.1 +TCLN Ryster on 31 Jan 2007 - 00:10

Erm... no. It's an "Ultimate" Extra. In other words, it's only for Ultimate.

#8 lbmouse on 30 Jan 2007 - 20:39

This'll make it worth $400

Guess I'm waiting for the 'extras' that disable the embedded DRM and relax the EULA.

(3 replies) #9 kyro on 30 Jan 2007 - 20:47

sick of hearing this endlessly.... Get VLC media player , set the video option to run in loop, right click while playing and set it as Wallplayer.

there... now go do your homework .

#9.1 BBinder on 30 Jan 2007 - 21:04

but it doesnt stay set when u close vlc

#9.2 +Island Dog on 30 Jan 2007 - 21:25

You cannot compare this to VLC. The resources usage is much better and doesn't interfer with icons or anything else.

#9.3 CheeseCow on 30 Jan 2007 - 22:22

Quote - (Island Dog said @ #9.2)

You cannot compare this to VLC. The resources usage is much better and doesn't interfer with icons or anything else.

There is no reason why the resource usage should be any better, since it will be decoded in hardware if available, just as if you play it in VMW. The issue with icons is a bug with Microsoft ClearType. If you disable ClearType it should be fine. Perhaps some new overlay surfaces can do it nicely, but I think the desktop might be a special case.

(1 reply) #10 Neonemesis on 30 Jan 2007 - 20:53

so let me get this straight. they can use things created wincustomize.com to sell their product? but as soon as we start making themes for no profit, they flip out? that seems a little strange....

and also, wouldn't an animated wallpaper be kind of annoying after a while? especially if its the same video looped over and over.

#10.1 +TCLN Ryster on 31 Jan 2007 - 00:15

Quote -

they can use things created wincustomize.com to sell their product?

What are you talking about? Only the one video wallpaper shown at the launch is made by WinCustomise. The actual technology that runs the video as a wallpaper is a Microsoft product. You will be able to use any video file to apply as your wallpaper once the product is released.

Also, if you find the feature annoying, don't use it. No-one is forcing you to have a video as your background. Just stick with regular static wallpaper and let the rest of us who like the look of subtle animated wallpapers (like the blades of grass blowing in the wind on the demo) enjoy Dreamscene.

#11 dugbug on 30 Jan 2007 - 20:59

Why exactly are all of you complaining? Its just one aspect of ultimate and you don't have to buy it.

#12 +Shadrack on 30 Jan 2007 - 21:18

Useless.

#13 neufuse on 30 Jan 2007 - 21:26

Oh comon people this is the first set of extras... give them some time sheesh... there will be bigger and better in the future... this is just the release set...

#14 neufuse on 30 Jan 2007 - 21:28

and btw.. if you use MPEG have a 2+GHz CPU that is dual core or more and have a good graphics card that fully supports VDDM and has RTM drivers that are optimized for VDDM (right now ATI and nVIDIA are not fully optimized, give them a month or two) it will only eat up a max 4% averaging around 2%

(1 reply) #15 Aero Ultimate on 30 Jan 2007 - 21:59

"Most anticipated"? Better make that "most pointless"

Having an animated wallpaper is absolutely good for nothing and will only grate on your nerves really quick.

#15.1 +TCLN Ryster on 31 Jan 2007 - 00:19

In your opinion my friend. Sure the annoyance factor depends on the video used, but a subtle movie like the one show at the demo with the blades of grass gently moving in the wind looks quite classy.

Lastly, if you don't like it, don't use it. Don't bitch about it.

#16 Marc A. on 30 Jan 2007 - 22:12

An animated wallpaper is like a pillow that plays movies. Neat, but completely impossible to utilize while your doing what you're there to do.

#17 CheeseCow on 30 Jan 2007 - 22:13

It will be decoded by the graphics card if you have correct drivers - however, there will still be a lot of data transferred around. If you are looking at CPU usage only you're only getting one piece of the puzzle. And what if you do something that will require 100% CPU, like loading an application or ripping a music CD? Should the wallpaper stutter or should your operation be slowed down?

(1 reply) #18 +TCLN Ryster on 31 Jan 2007 - 00:21

According to Microsoft's own Windows Vista website, Dreamscene should be available right now.

Quote -

Exclusive to Windows Vista are Windows Ultimate Extras. These cutting-edge programs, innovative services, and unique publications provide a richer computing experience for Windows Vista Ultimate users. Windows Ultimate Extras currently available include:

Windows DreamScene, an Extra that enables you to use looped, full-motion video as your desktop wallpaper instead of a static image
Windows Hold’em, a poker game for players of all skill levels
Windows BitLocker Secure Online Key storage, where Ultimate users can store their BitLocker recovery password and Encrypting File System certificate on Windows Marketplace’s Digital Locker website for access to the key anytime, anyplace, and from any computer that has an Internet connection

Source: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/...te/default.mspx

Looks like the delay was unexpected, or their webmasters are incompetent

Last edited by TCLN Ryster on 31 Jan 2007 - 00:31

#18.1 parithon on 02 Feb 2007 - 05:35

It's more of an unexpected delay by the other departments (IE the web designers). The original idea was to have it available at launch. However after some feedback from the beta community, and internal rethinking, some changes need to be implemented before release.

(1 reply) #19 TruckWEB on 31 Jan 2007 - 00:27

It's all cool and fun for a while, but in the end, just get realy disturbing while trying to do some real work with your PC. All in all, it's a pointless feature and it's not something to put more money on to get the "Ultimate" Vista.

Nice work Brad, but other things would be cooler to do with Vista. Where is the "OSX Exposé" clone for Vista?

#19.1 +TCLN Ryster on 31 Jan 2007 - 00:31

How is it disturbing your "real work" when your real work application will be sitting on top covering it? I agree though that it's a fairly pointless feature, but it's a really cool pointless feature and I for one would rather have it available to me than not have it.

(1 reply) #20 phantasmorph on 31 Jan 2007 - 01:58

So basically, from what I'm gathering, is that Ultimate Extras is going to be pretty much a self-sustaining craptastic Plus! pack delivered in little spurts here and there.

Yay.

#20.1 parithon on 02 Feb 2007 - 05:38

Don't fool yourself. Bitlocker is not just some self-sustaining craptastic Plus! feature pack delivered to Vista. There are far more added features, bonuses, games, etc. in the works that will be available using this new "Ultimate" system.

#21 offroadaaron on 31 Jan 2007 - 02:21

its an extra like a game its just a pointless feature that looks kool i see alot of bitches whinging in here over something that really is just a feature thats cool and i may use it.

#22 sLm4ever on 31 Jan 2007 - 13:01

that would be a great tool =) ...

thanks a lot Brad for the news ^^

#23 TooTubular on 02 Feb 2007 - 04:28

For the people who just don't seem to get it, I'll ask you one simple question. What does having a picture on your desktop do for you?

Aha! A pointless feature? I think my work here is done. Keep in mind that the goal of this project is low processor usage, and anything otherwise would compromise the feasibility of anyone using it.

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