100% CPU utilisation in Live Messenger when making video calls

Has anyone experienced this problem? I connect a video call (CPU around 40%)
then after 20 or 30 seconds it goes up to 100% busy - lots of echos on the
audio and the video locks (as you would expect with 100% CPU). Running P4
3.4HT CPU, 2Gb RAM, Vista Home Premium, OneCare, WLM 8.1, LiveCam VX6000 and
Audigy 2 ZX. Using LiveCam mike and Audigy-connected speakers. Sometines if
you wait the CPU reverts to 40%ish and you can carry on your videoconv. Most
times you just have to give up. Have switched off all advanced functions of
the Audigy card and run sound at CD quality. Video card is an ATI X1950 Pro
(AGP) with 512Mb (1280 x 1024 x 32bit) with 19" TFT.
Anyone seen this or got any ideas - my current position is that under Vista
you cannot make video calls using live messenger!!

Greetings,

Well it might be worth trying each function in Messenger separate to determine what the real
issue is.

For example, start an audio conversation with no video. If that works fine, end that and
start a webcam session (Start my webcam as opposed to video call) and see if video is the
problem.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2007 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
--

"Paxford_Pete" <> wrote in message
news:A57DCD00-AFF2-4E55-8694-...
> Has anyone experienced this problem? I connect a video call (CPU around 40%)
> then after 20 or 30 seconds it goes up to 100% busy - lots of echos on the
> audio and the video locks (as you would expect with 100% CPU). Running P4
> 3.4HT CPU, 2Gb RAM, Vista Home Premium, OneCare, WLM 8.1, LiveCam VX6000 and
> Audigy 2 ZX. Using LiveCam mike and Audigy-connected speakers. Sometines if
> you wait the CPU reverts to 40%ish and you can carry on your videoconv. Most
> times you just have to give up. Have switched off all advanced functions of
> the Audigy card and run sound at CD quality. Video card is an ATI X1950 Pro
> (AGP) with 512Mb (1280 x 1024 x 32bit) with 19" TFT.
> Anyone seen this or got any ideas - my current position is that under Vista
> you cannot make video calls using live messenger!!

Hi

Tried "audio only" call as suggested - all seems to work fine. Yet to make
video call (my primary video call recipient is on vacation right now) ... but

Have used "Microsoft Lifecam" desktop shortcut and captured some video to my
local machine - uses around 85% CPU!! Suggests to me video processing VERY
resource hungry or bad vista drivers (1.30.175.0)?

I noticed I am set at LifeCam video resolution 640x480 (the default).
Changed to 320x240 and video capturing down to around 55% CPU.

Are these CPU utilisations reasonable?? (P4 3.4Ghz HT Prescott). Anyone
else seen these utilisations?

Regards

"Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:

> Greetings,
>
> Well it might be worth trying each function in Messenger separate to determine what the real
> issue is.
>
> For example, start an audio conversation with no video. If that works fine, end that and
> start a webcam session (Start my webcam as opposed to video call) and see if video is the
> problem.
>
> --
> Jonathan Kay
> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
> Associate Expert
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
> Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
> All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2007 Jonathan Kay.
> You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
> --
>
> "Paxford_Pete" <> wrote in message
> news:A57DCD00-AFF2-4E55-8694-...
> > Has anyone experienced this problem? I connect a video call (CPU around 40%)
> > then after 20 or 30 seconds it goes up to 100% busy - lots of echos on the
> > audio and the video locks (as you would expect with 100% CPU). Running P4
> > 3.4HT CPU, 2Gb RAM, Vista Home Premium, OneCare, WLM 8.1, LiveCam VX6000 and
> > Audigy 2 ZX. Using LiveCam mike and Audigy-connected speakers. Sometines if
> > you wait the CPU reverts to 40%ish and you can carry on your videoconv. Most
> > times you just have to give up. Have switched off all advanced functions of
> > the Audigy card and run sound at CD quality. Video card is an ATI X1950 Pro
> > (AGP) with 512Mb (1280 x 1024 x 32bit) with 19" TFT.
> > Anyone seen this or got any ideas - my current position is that under Vista
> > you cannot make video calls using live messenger!!
>
>

What other options do you have for video capture in the webcam settings? It
sounds like your cam is set to max - try adjusting the frame rate,
resolution, compression, etc, etc

"Paxford_Pete" <> wrote in message
news:4F9257C2-964E-4ADE-A9FC-...
> Hi
>
> Tried "audio only" call as suggested - all seems to work fine. Yet to
> make
> video call (my primary video call recipient is on vacation right now) ...
> but
>
> Have used "Microsoft Lifecam" desktop shortcut and captured some video to
> my
> local machine - uses around 85% CPU!! Suggests to me video processing
> VERY
> resource hungry or bad vista drivers (1.30.175.0)?
>
> I noticed I am set at LifeCam video resolution 640x480 (the default).
> Changed to 320x240 and video capturing down to around 55% CPU.
>
> Are these CPU utilisations reasonable?? (P4 3.4Ghz HT Prescott). Anyone
> else seen these utilisations?
>
> Regards
>
> "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:
>
>> Greetings,
>>
>> Well it might be worth trying each function in Messenger separate to
>> determine what the real
>> issue is.
>>
>> For example, start an audio conversation with no video. If that works
>> fine, end that and
>> start a webcam session (Start my webcam as opposed to video call) and see
>> if video is the
>> problem.
>>
>> --
>> Jonathan Kay
>> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
>> Associate Expert
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
>> Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
>> All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2007 Jonathan Kay.
>> You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
>> --
>>
>> "Paxford_Pete" <> wrote in message
>> news:A57DCD00-AFF2-4E55-8694-...
>> > Has anyone experienced this problem? I connect a video call (CPU
>> > around 40%)
>> > then after 20 or 30 seconds it goes up to 100% busy - lots of echos on
>> > the
>> > audio and the video locks (as you would expect with 100% CPU). Running
>> > P4
>> > 3.4HT CPU, 2Gb RAM, Vista Home Premium, OneCare, WLM 8.1, LiveCam
>> > VX6000 and
>> > Audigy 2 ZX. Using LiveCam mike and Audigy-connected speakers.
>> > Sometines if
>> > you wait the CPU reverts to 40%ish and you can carry on your videoconv.
>> > Most
>> > times you just have to give up. Have switched off all advanced
>> > functions of
>> > the Audigy card and run sound at CD quality. Video card is an ATI
>> > X1950 Pro
>> > (AGP) with 512Mb (1280 x 1024 x 32bit) with 19" TFT.
>> > Anyone seen this or got any ideas - my current position is that under
>> > Vista
>> > you cannot make video calls using live messenger!!
>>
>>

Hi Mac

I am unable to find anything in the LifeCam software that lets me adjust any
of these settings. However I did try temporarily changing my desktop color
density from 32bit to 16bit (thereby losing the Aero capablities) but it made
hardly any difference. Even if it had its a but user-unfreindly having to do
this before every web call (and undo it afterwards).

Have looked in TechNet "windows vista hardware" discussion entry "Vista and
webcams and Microsoft Lifecam" thread and lots of folks seem to have serious
issues with the LifeCam support software. I guess as ever I just have to
wait for Microsoft to wake up and fix this....

"Mac" wrote:

> What other options do you have for video capture in the webcam settings? It
> sounds like your cam is set to max - try adjusting the frame rate,
> resolution, compression, etc, etc
>
> "Paxford_Pete" <> wrote in message
> news:4F9257C2-964E-4ADE-A9FC-...
> > Hi
> >
> > Tried "audio only" call as suggested - all seems to work fine. Yet to
> > make
> > video call (my primary video call recipient is on vacation right now) ...
> > but
> >
> > Have used "Microsoft Lifecam" desktop shortcut and captured some video to
> > my
> > local machine - uses around 85% CPU!! Suggests to me video processing
> > VERY
> > resource hungry or bad vista drivers (1.30.175.0)?
> >
> > I noticed I am set at LifeCam video resolution 640x480 (the default).
> > Changed to 320x240 and video capturing down to around 55% CPU.
> >
> > Are these CPU utilisations reasonable?? (P4 3.4Ghz HT Prescott). Anyone
> > else seen these utilisations?
> >
> > Regards
> >
> > "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:
> >
> >> Greetings,
> >>
> >> Well it might be worth trying each function in Messenger separate to
> >> determine what the real
> >> issue is.
> >>
> >> For example, start an audio conversation with no video. If that works
> >> fine, end that and
> >> start a webcam session (Start my webcam as opposed to video call) and see
> >> if video is the
> >> problem.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Jonathan Kay
> >> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
> >> Associate Expert
> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
> >> Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
> >> All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2007 Jonathan Kay.
> >> You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
> >> --
> >>
> >> "Paxford_Pete" <> wrote in message
> >> news:A57DCD00-AFF2-4E55-8694-...
> >> > Has anyone experienced this problem? I connect a video call (CPU
> >> > around 40%)
> >> > then after 20 or 30 seconds it goes up to 100% busy - lots of echos on
> >> > the
> >> > audio and the video locks (as you would expect with 100% CPU). Running
> >> > P4
> >> > 3.4HT CPU, 2Gb RAM, Vista Home Premium, OneCare, WLM 8.1, LiveCam
> >> > VX6000 and
> >> > Audigy 2 ZX. Using LiveCam mike and Audigy-connected speakers.
> >> > Sometines if
> >> > you wait the CPU reverts to 40%ish and you can carry on your videoconv.
> >> > Most
> >> > times you just have to give up. Have switched off all advanced
> >> > functions of
> >> > the Audigy card and run sound at CD quality. Video card is an ATI
> >> > X1950 Pro
> >> > (AGP) with 512Mb (1280 x 1024 x 32bit) with 19" TFT.
> >> > Anyone seen this or got any ideas - my current position is that under
> >> > Vista
> >> > you cannot make video calls using live messenger!!
> >>
> >>

Can you not access your camera properties via the device manager?

"Paxford_Pete" <> wrote in message
news0D029AD-A71D-41D8-BF07-...
> Hi Mac
>
> I am unable to find anything in the LifeCam software that lets me adjust
> any
> of these settings. However I did try temporarily changing my desktop
> color
> density from 32bit to 16bit (thereby losing the Aero capablities) but it
> made
> hardly any difference. Even if it had its a but user-unfreindly having to
> do
> this before every web call (and undo it afterwards).
>
> Have looked in TechNet "windows vista hardware" discussion entry "Vista
> and
> webcams and Microsoft Lifecam" thread and lots of folks seem to have
> serious
> issues with the LifeCam support software. I guess as ever I just have to
> wait for Microsoft to wake up and fix this....
>
> "Mac" wrote:
>
>> What other options do you have for video capture in the webcam settings?
>> It
>> sounds like your cam is set to max - try adjusting the frame rate,
>> resolution, compression, etc, etc
>>
>> "Paxford_Pete" <> wrote in message
>> news:4F9257C2-964E-4ADE-A9FC-...
>> > Hi
>> >
>> > Tried "audio only" call as suggested - all seems to work fine. Yet to
>> > make
>> > video call (my primary video call recipient is on vacation right now)
>> > ...
>> > but
>> >
>> > Have used "Microsoft Lifecam" desktop shortcut and captured some video
>> > to
>> > my
>> > local machine - uses around 85% CPU!! Suggests to me video processing
>> > VERY
>> > resource hungry or bad vista drivers (1.30.175.0)?
>> >
>> > I noticed I am set at LifeCam video resolution 640x480 (the default).
>> > Changed to 320x240 and video capturing down to around 55% CPU.
>> >
>> > Are these CPU utilisations reasonable?? (P4 3.4Ghz HT Prescott).
>> > Anyone
>> > else seen these utilisations?
>> >
>> > Regards
>> >
>> > "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Greetings,
>> >>
>> >> Well it might be worth trying each function in Messenger separate to
>> >> determine what the real
>> >> issue is.
>> >>
>> >> For example, start an audio conversation with no video. If that works
>> >> fine, end that and
>> >> start a webcam session (Start my webcam as opposed to video call) and
>> >> see
>> >> if video is the
>> >> problem.
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Jonathan Kay
>> >> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
>> >> Associate Expert
>> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
>> >> Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
>> >> All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2007 Jonathan Kay.
>> >> You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
>> >> --
>> >>
>> >> "Paxford_Pete" <> wrote in
>> >> message
>> >> news:A57DCD00-AFF2-4E55-8694-...
>> >> > Has anyone experienced this problem? I connect a video call (CPU
>> >> > around 40%)
>> >> > then after 20 or 30 seconds it goes up to 100% busy - lots of echos
>> >> > on
>> >> > the
>> >> > audio and the video locks (as you would expect with 100% CPU).
>> >> > Running
>> >> > P4
>> >> > 3.4HT CPU, 2Gb RAM, Vista Home Premium, OneCare, WLM 8.1, LiveCam
>> >> > VX6000 and
>> >> > Audigy 2 ZX. Using LiveCam mike and Audigy-connected speakers.
>> >> > Sometines if
>> >> > you wait the CPU reverts to 40%ish and you can carry on your
>> >> > videoconv.
>> >> > Most
>> >> > times you just have to give up. Have switched off all advanced
>> >> > functions of
>> >> > the Audigy card and run sound at CD quality. Video card is an ATI
>> >> > X1950 Pro
>> >> > (AGP) with 512Mb (1280 x 1024 x 32bit) with 19" TFT.
>> >> > Anyone seen this or got any ideas - my current position is that
>> >> > under
>> >> > Vista
>> >> > you cannot make video calls using live messenger!!
>> >>
>> >>

Hi Mac

Fraid not - Microsoft drivers/support software seems fairly basic for these
cameras! I only get the General, Driver and Details tabs for the camera.

Guess I'll just use 320x240 resolution, and wait until Microsoft gets better
drivers and/or I upgrade my PC from P4 Prescott to Core 2 Duo or Quad later
in the year!!!

"Mac" wrote:

> Can you not access your camera properties via the device manager?
>
> "Paxford_Pete" <> wrote in message
> news0D029AD-A71D-41D8-BF07-...
> > Hi Mac
> >
> > I am unable to find anything in the LifeCam software that lets me adjust
> > any
> > of these settings. However I did try temporarily changing my desktop
> > color
> > density from 32bit to 16bit (thereby losing the Aero capablities) but it
> > made
> > hardly any difference. Even if it had its a but user-unfreindly having to
> > do
> > this before every web call (and undo it afterwards).
> >
> > Have looked in TechNet "windows vista hardware" discussion entry "Vista
> > and
> > webcams and Microsoft Lifecam" thread and lots of folks seem to have
> > serious
> > issues with the LifeCam support software. I guess as ever I just have to
> > wait for Microsoft to wake up and fix this....
> >
> > "Mac" wrote:
> >
> >> What other options do you have for video capture in the webcam settings?
> >> It
> >> sounds like your cam is set to max - try adjusting the frame rate,
> >> resolution, compression, etc, etc
> >>
> >> "Paxford_Pete" <> wrote in message
> >> news:4F9257C2-964E-4ADE-A9FC-...
> >> > Hi
> >> >
> >> > Tried "audio only" call as suggested - all seems to work fine. Yet to
> >> > make
> >> > video call (my primary video call recipient is on vacation right now)
> >> > ...
> >> > but
> >> >
> >> > Have used "Microsoft Lifecam" desktop shortcut and captured some video
> >> > to
> >> > my
> >> > local machine - uses around 85% CPU!! Suggests to me video processing
> >> > VERY
> >> > resource hungry or bad vista drivers (1.30.175.0)?
> >> >
> >> > I noticed I am set at LifeCam video resolution 640x480 (the default).
> >> > Changed to 320x240 and video capturing down to around 55% CPU.
> >> >
> >> > Are these CPU utilisations reasonable?? (P4 3.4Ghz HT Prescott).
> >> > Anyone
> >> > else seen these utilisations?
> >> >
> >> > Regards
> >> >
> >> > "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Greetings,
> >> >>
> >> >> Well it might be worth trying each function in Messenger separate to
> >> >> determine what the real
> >> >> issue is.
> >> >>
> >> >> For example, start an audio conversation with no video. If that works
> >> >> fine, end that and
> >> >> start a webcam session (Start my webcam as opposed to video call) and
> >> >> see
> >> >> if video is the
> >> >> problem.
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Jonathan Kay
> >> >> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
> >> >> Associate Expert
> >> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
> >> >> Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
> >> >> All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2007 Jonathan Kay.
> >> >> You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
> >> >> --
> >> >>
> >> >> "Paxford_Pete" <> wrote in
> >> >> message
> >> >> news:A57DCD00-AFF2-4E55-8694-...
> >> >> > Has anyone experienced this problem? I connect a video call (CPU
> >> >> > around 40%)
> >> >> > then after 20 or 30 seconds it goes up to 100% busy - lots of echos
> >> >> > on
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > audio and the video locks (as you would expect with 100% CPU).
> >> >> > Running
> >> >> > P4
> >> >> > 3.4HT CPU, 2Gb RAM, Vista Home Premium, OneCare, WLM 8.1, LiveCam
> >> >> > VX6000 and
> >> >> > Audigy 2 ZX. Using LiveCam mike and Audigy-connected speakers.
> >> >> > Sometines if
> >> >> > you wait the CPU reverts to 40%ish and you can carry on your
> >> >> > videoconv.
> >> >> > Most
> >> >> > times you just have to give up. Have switched off all advanced
> >> >> > functions of
> >> >> > the Audigy card and run sound at CD quality. Video card is an ATI
> >> >> > X1950 Pro
> >> >> > (AGP) with 512Mb (1280 x 1024 x 32bit) with 19" TFT.
> >> >> > Anyone seen this or got any ideas - my current position is that
> >> >> > under
> >> >> > Vista
> >> >> > you cannot make video calls using live messenger!!
> >> >>
> >> >>