Having trouble running VIDTEST?There is a very small error in the “Measuring Multimedia Performance” section of the help file. The instructions for running VIDTEST say to enter the file name \VIDEOTST.AVI into the text field for “Custom File”. The correct name of the file to enter is \INSTRES\VIDEOTST.AVI. Here are the corrected instructions. Measuring Multimedia Performance
A direct and reliable way to measure multimedia performance on your system is to use the VIDTEST program from Microsoft, which is included on the installation CD with the Virtual Music software. From the File Manager (Windows 95 users can use Windows Explorer), select the CD-ROM drive in the upper bar, then click on the \VIDTEST directory in the left-hand directory listing and double-click on the file VIDTEST.EXE in the right-hand file listing. Click on the button labeled "Begin Testing." In the box labeled "Drive To Test," pull down the list of drives and select the drive letter of your CD-ROM drive. Click on the bottom line labeled "Custom File:", then click in the text area next to it, fill in the filename \INSTRES\VIDEOTST.AVI, and click on the button labeled "OK." Do not disturb your computer while it plays the video file to test performance.
When the test is complete, VIDTEST will display a dialog box labeled "Video Playback Test Results." The line labeled "Frames Skipped" will provide a good indication of the performance of your system, telling you how many video frames had to be left out in order for the video to be kept in sync with the audio (see "Skip Frames" Set Incorrectly, in the Help file for more information). Click on the button labeled "Continue." Do not disturb your computer while it carries out additional testing.
When this additional testing is complete, VIDTEST will display the results in a dialog box labeled "Video for Windows Performance Test Results." Each of three major areas of performance--Display, Digital Audio, and Data Streaming--will be rated by a marker with a percentage indicator next to it. The marker is referenced to a range divided into Unsatisfactory, Satisfactory, and Good. If any components fall in the Unsatisfactory or Satisfactory range, click on the button beneath the column to get more information on the meaning of the test and possible improvements. For further suggestions, you may also refer to the section in the Help file called Improving Multimedia Performance.