Windows 7: Video playback in WMC 7 choppy & out of sync

Hi all,

I recently built a windows 7 professional x64 htpc and I'm running into a peculiar issue with video playback. I've also installed all the windows updates.

I have a bunch of "home movies" in avi format that play perfectly when I launch them in Windows Media Player. The video plays smoothly and the audio/video are perfectly in sync.

When I attempt to view the same movie in WMC native video library or using Media Browser, the video is seems to play slowly, then quickly speeds up to catch up. It's kind of choppy or jerky. Also, the audio goes out of sync almost instantly.



I've tried installing Shark 007's codec's with the default settings and the issue happens with or without it. Also, I've watched the CPU usage when watching the video in WMC and it never goes above 5%.

I've been able to watch numerous avi files (both my own and downloaded) without problems when I launch them in WMP. I'm also able to watch DVD's and Blu Ray using TMT 5 without any issues at all.

I've spent the better part of the last two days going through any/every post I could find that even sounds remotely similar and nothing is working.

Anyone have any ideas?

On 64bit systems, Media Center is a 64bit player.
To use the Shark007 codecs on 64bit systems, you also need to install the x64Components addon.

After installation, run the 64bit Settings Application as an Administrator,
and then select the checkbox [x] SUGGESTED settings

Thanx for the reply.

I have done this and it made absolutely no difference. I installed the 32 bit first, then the 64 bit. Used the suggested settings for both. Video plays fine in WMP, choppy and jerky in WMC. The issue in WMC exists whether or not your codecs are installed.

Try running a defragment program.
Windows 7 has one, or Disk Defrag - Fast and Safe Defragmenter for Your Disks

Then I suggest that you disable the Microsoft Video decoder on the 64bit SWAP TAB. After doing so, go to the H264 TAB, and uncheck the box that is setting FFDhow's MERIT to Normal. This should get ffdshow decoding the file instead of Microsoft.

I doubt it is a fragmentation problem being it plays fine in WMP.

Thanx for taking the time to help Shark007....greatly appreciated.

I had the codecs installed with the default settings then modified the settings you indicated on the 64 bit settings app.....video is still extremely jerky.

I had tried disabling the Microsoft Video decoder before, but the "Merit" setting I hadn't messed with.

Any other suggestions?

sure...
On the Misc TAB is a button to analyze a media file
use it on that AVI and post the output here. maybe I can figure it out from that.

Analyzed the file and attached it below.

that helps alot. it is not your common AVI file.

In the 64bit app, press [Reset All]
Go to the H264 TAB, and next to LAV codec, click the Config button
in the popup window, select the Formats TAB
Put a checkmark in the Box for mjpeg, Apply, and close the window
test, if it is OK great!
If not, you may have to disable the Microsoft Video decoder to allow the directshow filters to decode it.

Still no dice. I checked the mjpeg in the Formats TAB and tested and it was still doing it. I then went to the swap TAB and disabled the Microsoft Video Decoder and tried it again...still didn't work.