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How to run 1080 video on laptop that can only play smoothly 720p video because of its poor hardware? Can I download some special codecs or lower details in some way, or do I need to change its format ? If yes, this will take minutes or hours?

Laptop's resolution does not support full HD, so I don't need to play a full HD move in its native resolution - but I don't know how to bypass some details so laptop can play it smoothly.

Some more information:

Laptop uses Windows XP, I play the videos locally and I can use any program to watch. The laptop isn't mine so I don't remember the exact config. But processor is between 1 and 2 GHz and about 1 GB RAM. I don't know anything about graphic cards - but I guess it does exist - it can play 720p smoothly.

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Where are you watching videos? What program, is it online or local? What operating system? – JNK Sep 10 '10 at 15:59
I updated my question. – SuitUp Sep 10 '10 at 16:16
1  
I'm not exactly sure what it is that you are still asking? Is the video skipping at 1080p? Is this a blu-ray disk or a file? have you tested a 720p or is the assumption that 720p playback is smooth due to specs? – KronoS Sep 10 '10 at 16:24
720 is smooth because of specs, i tested it, 1080 is not smooth because of specs and i tested it too - video is not played well – SuitUp Sep 10 '10 at 17:02
If you just want to watch the video any how then this is what I did. I successfully converted my HD (1080p 100MB) to 3gp using AVS video converter. It took me about 1:55 mins . But after conversion picture quality will greatly drop. I still think conversion is the only method. Sad I had to delete to my answer. – subanki Sep 10 '10 at 17:33

3 Answers

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How to run 1080 video on laptop that can only play smoothly 720p video because of its poor hardware?

You downsample the video to a lower resolution. Use a tool like HandBrake or mencoder. There are codecs that can downsample or change video resolution on-the-fly but that is hardware intensive and will make your video choppy on 720p as well.

will take minutes or hours?

Depends on the length of the video and the strength of the hardware used. If the video is long and the machine slow, the answer is hours.

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+1 for Handbrake – Azz Nov 4 '10 at 4:09
It's going to take longer than the movie is, because the computer is not capable of decoding the video in real time. – Georg Schölly Nov 4 '10 at 8:25
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Looking at your specs, the 1 GB of RAM and processor is a red light. You'll def need more than that to play high def video. I have 4 GB with core 2 duo 2.2Ghz and even then sometimes playback is skipped (very rare though).

Playing a 1080p video can be played at lower resolutions i.e. 720 or even 480. The issue is whether the computer it self can handle the playback. My guess, is that the laptop's video card isn't capable of playing the HD video smoothly as well, but that's hard to tell due to the lower specs of the processor and memory.

However, it may also be the software that you are using for the playback. Try using KMPlayer I have found that to be the best at video playback for the high def videos.

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"Playing a 1080p video can be played at lower resolutions i.e. 720 or even 480." - this is probably what i need - how i can do this? – SuitUp Sep 10 '10 at 17:04
I don't think it can be done without converting – subanki Sep 10 '10 at 17:09
Try using the kmplayer and see if that helps to smooth things out. Other than that, you're just going to have to convert it or get better hardware. Divx converter does resolution specific conversions. – KronoS Sep 10 '10 at 17:23
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I've personally found that CoreAVC has the best decoding capability I've seen. Uses far less CPU than any other h.264 (which I'm assuming you're playing) decoder around. Only problem is that it's pay (but only $10).

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