Quick overview:
Put an end to the boredom of a static desktop: DreamScene allows you to set videos as your desktop background. This function was once only available to purchasers of the Ultimate Edition of Windows Vista, but now all owners of Windows 7 and Vista have the option. Windows-Tweaks reveals how it's done:
1. transfer the small program "DreamScene Enabler" from the designer site Deviantart.
2. unzip the file "DreamScene_Enabler_by_Senzune.zip", then right-click on "DreamScene Enabler.exe" and select "Run as administrator". Confirm with "Yes".
3. one click on "Enable" is enough to activate the DreamScene function. Restart the computer after clicking on "Finish"! From now on you can use any video in AVI, MOV or MPG format as a background video - simply right-click on it and click on "Set as Desktop Background".
Which videos are best suited for DreamScene?
The video should have a smooth transition between the beginning and the end! Otherwise you will notice an unattractive stutter, which greatly diminishes the overall impression. The resolution of the video should also match the resolution of your screen. For example, a DreamScene video with a resolution of 1280x1024 will look distorted and pixelated on a screen with a resolution of 1920x1200!
For this reason, I recommend that you only use special DreamScene videos as your desktop background. It's best to search for Dreamscene at Deviantart.com (or click here!). Here you will find special DreamScene videos. I have picked out a few of the most beautiful ones for you:
A few words about the PC load
DreamScene is not recommended on weaker PCs with less than 2 Ghz (dual-core), as it slows down the computer noticeably. On modern PCs or notebooks, the load is in the single-digit range: an HD DreamScene video on a PC with 2.93 Ghz (Core 2 Duo) only consumes around 4-5% of processor power on one core. If you like the animated backgrounds, you can certainly get over it.
But beware: On notebooks, the permanent processor load (albeit low) ensures that the processor can hardly save any energy. DreamScene should therefore not be used on the move!
I hope you enjoy the great animated background screens.
Yours, Sandro Villinger
On Windows Tweaks you will find time-saving tech guides for PC, software & Microsoft. For a stress-free digital everyday life. Already we have been "tweaking" Windows since 1998 and just won't stop!
Looks very good here with the blog, really nice work.
Ps.: I read that you had an old page and have reopened this one.
Thank you for the interesting article.
HI Gamer, thanks for the feedback 🙂
The "old" site is still running, new blog entries supplement the old archive.
Do we know each other from before?
Greetings,
Sandro
Moin Moin
I have an E6750, i.e. 2 x 2.67Ghz. I have an Explorer load of up to 40 % when I set up a video as background. The load is 2-5 % after about 2 minutes. Is it normal that it overloads the system like this or is it just because my Cpu is a bit TOO weak for this kind of gaming?
Greetings
Riddick
Hi Riddick, it looks very similar for me - in everyday life you don't notice any difference with a CPU load of roundabout 2-5%. The 40% when setting the background is a lot, but you only set the video once - or does that happen regularly?
Greetings, Sandro
This happens regularly, yes. I've even had Explorer load and even a system freeze because of it.
With a simple video background, the load isn't that bad, it's around 2-5%...as you say. However, if I make the hackers video as the background, the load is higher and there are slight jerks and so on when navigating the system. With the Under the sea video it works.... but the load continues to jump and no matter which video I have already had hang-ups and a total of 2 system freezes.
My system should be able to cope with this, but it seems that I'm reaching the limits of what's possible with the c2d here. Can you turn down the load somehow? Make it \"easier\" for the system to handle?
Would it help if I installed other codecs? What is the best place to start?