Choppy video playback

Hi there,

I have a problem where the picture on videos and games playing on my laptop freezes for a few seconds, roughly twice a minute. The sound keeps going on most occasions when this happens, and after a few seconds the picture jumps forward and catches up with the sound. This happens on all videos on the web. For example, today I noticed it with clips on rottentomatoes.com, youtube.com, DivX vidoes, pre-installed games on the laptop etc. There is no problem with DVDs. It is not a problem with buffering or with broadband connection - it happens to videos I have fully downloaded and watch off-line as well as streaming videos. I have updated all drivers, Java etc. I haven’t added any new software that might have caused this. I’m inclined to think that it happens when my hard drive is being accessed, because the LED indicating HDD activity is usually (but not always) on when it happens. Disabling avast! doesn’t seem to help, so I don’t think its the scanner or on access protection… but then again what do I know?!

The problem is fairly new - the past 2 weeks or so - but I’ve had enough of it and would appreciate any suggestions. Has anyone else come across this?

MP

What is the CPU type and speed and how much RAM does the system have?

Aye laddy! (assuming you’re male and/or am I thinking of Scotland?) ;D

Seriously though, along with what YoKenny has requested, what web browser are you using while watching the videos? Is the problem reproduced on any other browser? Is your copy of flash player up to date?

May God bless you :slight_smile:

Intel Core 2 Duo T5550, 1.83GHz
2GB RAM

It started happening in the past 2 weeks in both IE and Firefox. Flash is up to date, and I’ve gone through all of the drivers and they’re all up to date too.

MP

When was the last time you cleared out all of your temp. files ???

Hi bob3160,

I tend to do that very regularly, almost daily, with CCleaner.

MP

Hi…

Hmmm…have you tried resetting your DSL or cable modem?

God bless :slight_smile:

Which operating system are you using ???

Go to PROFILE then Modify Profile then Forum Profile Information then update your Signature: with information like my signature so that you do not have to answer questions like this from bob3160 and me.

and myself. ::slight_smile:

Just an update - I’ve spoken to a PC technician in PC World where I bought my laptop, and he tells me that this choppy playback problem is a common issue with Windows XP and Vista. It tends to happen after a number of video files have been watched - i.e. if more than 30 minutes or so of YouTube files or other videos are played - or after playing games over the internet, and apparently it has something to do with RAM. He told me it can be resolved by closing all open programmes, doing a full sweep and dump with CCleaner, and rebooting.
That has worked great for me so far.
MP

@ MudPuddles

As you have more than 20 posts please read:
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=52437.msg444363#msg444363

Its always good to have a full sweep with CCleaner and reboot Windows if you are not going to be using the system for a while so that it is fresh and ready when you are ready to use it again.