audio video out of sync

Let's verify by reporting some information here.

Click on the start orb, type 'system' in the text box, then click on 'system information'.

Next, click on '+Hardware Resources'. Click on 'Display' from the expanded list. You will see lines of text in the area on the right. Cut and paste that information, all of it, and info requsted below also, in your next post. To do so click on the first item, hold down 'ctl' and then the last item. With all fields highlighted, use 'ctl + c' to copy and then 'ctl + p' to paste into the reply here.

Also include 'sound device', using same method as just noted.

Additionally, click on "+Multimedia", and then each one of the sub-items.

Last include the first item, 'System Summary'.

It may help to actually see this information.

Review any data to be posted first and remove any lines that have specific computer information like user name paths or computer name.

An example from my PC:

OS Name Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Version 6.1.7600 Build 7600
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name xxxxxxxxx
System Manufacturer Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model P35-DS3L
System Type x64-based PC
Processor Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU E2180 @ 2.00GHz, 2 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s) (note this field modified, my system is overclocked)
BIOS Version/Date Award Software International, Inc. F9, 6/19/2009
SMBIOS Version 2.4
Windows Directory C:\Windows
System Directory C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.1.7600.16385"
User Name xxxxxxxxx
Time Zone Eastern Standard Time
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 4.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 4.00 GB
Available Physical Memory 2.35 GB
Total Virtual Memory 8.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 6.37 GB
Page File Space 4.00 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

I will review and see if anything jumps out at me.

Can you please report which revision of the 965P-DS3 you have? There appears to be more than one. It will be marked on the mobo in a corner.

Did you make or buy the HTPC?

The audio/video drivers and codecs seem correct.

256MB of ram on your video card is minimal for quality video playback and gaming.

I also suggest that a 1.86GHz CPU is minimal for video processing, even at 2.1GHz.
A Quad Core or even a Duo Core at higher frequency would certainly be a better choice:

GIGABYTE - Support&Download - Motherboard - CPU Support List - GA-965P-DS3 (rev. 3.3)

My system has an E2180, which overclocks quite well to 2.66GHz and I keep there as it greatly improves the performance in WMC and other apps. At 2.0GHZ HD video gets choppy.

That being said, let's take a closer look:

Two things jump out at me:

1) The E6300 @2.1GHz, which means your system is overclocked.
2) The F13X, 3/26/2008 BIOS

Before I can proceed, I would like you to run two Utilities, I originally found them at Tom's Hardware and at CPU3D. I use them as they provide system data that can be helpful in troubleshooting performance issues.

A) CPU-Z
CPUID

B) CoreTemp
Core Temp (32-bit) - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

Both of these utilities do more than noted by their names.

Use CPU-Z to report back here the frequency your RAM is currently running at. Of particular interest are the memory and SPD tabs. Attaching screenshots would be great! The specificatiosn page for your mobo notes support for DDR2 800.

I am also interested if your FSB is clocking down at any point, which can be found with CPU-Z...leave it open while you run heavy tasks and also when idle. Attaching screenshots would be great!

Core Temp will list FSB, stepping, and of course temps - test under heavy continued load. Attaching screenshots would be great!

Intel's Core 2 Duo and Extreme processors - The Tech Report - Page 16

It is interesting to note that Intel's E series of processors are Energy Efficient processors Exxxx, vary widely in their performance, but have similar cost structures.

Guide to Intel Desktop Processors

62C is a temp your cores should only reach when under 100% load for an extended time AND the cooling system is dirty/clogged/insufficient. Clean the CPU Heatsink, fan, all air intakes, screens, the front grill of all foreign matter, dust, etc. Is your HTPC inside a cabinet next to other electronics where the AIR it intakes is at an extended temperature? For a system to cool properly, it should intake air at ROOM temperature (which is 20C) and should idle at no more than 40C and MAYBE reach 50C under typical loads. Increased Core Temps can and will lead to system instability, greatly reduce the life of your electronics, and can even be a hazard.

If temps still stay that HIGH, which will reduce voltage and clock speed in order to preserve your cores (depending on your CPU, Chipset/BIOS/Settings), you likely have a poor or improperly set heatsink or additional conditions, such as RAM that is smoking hot (another reason for poor system performance).

Carefully watch both CoreTemp and CPU-Z as you gradually increase frequencies when over-clocking, or simply to see where your system temps and speeds are at, can help safeguard your electronics. I use them to make sure each system is cooling properly, and note the temps after a few days of normal use on a warm day, and find the system usually just needs a good cleaning when the temps begin to edge up after months of use (that amount of time between cleanings depends on how clean or unclean the air is). Rooms with upholstered furniture and carpeting, as many households have, tend to be more dusty. That dusty air, being pulled through your HTPC regularly, adds up quicker than most people realize and is major cause of system slowdown and even failure over time.

Are you using Intel’s infamous stock cooler? If so, and you want to maintain a lower core temp, I strongly suggest the use of a high end CPU cooler.

Also, please review in your BIOS your fan speeds and make sure your CPU fan speed is not set to quite or low. Force the fans to high, reboot, and watch the temps to see if this makes a difference. If it does, look for a bigger/better CPU cooler…a quality one will provide reliable system cooling and will generate little noise.

Please let me know if you are successful in reducing your core temps.

(note:Using Snipping Tool is good for creating a screenshot, however, the best way to capture just your forward window is to click on it's upper tile, hit ctl + PrtScn on your keyboard, open Paint, set the attributes to something small like 25 x 25, then paste the clipboard, save the file, and then upload it.)

To test where your temps will be normally at idle, set your clocks to stock, your fans to high (and watch the system temps come way down).

Good Luck! (Although it’s really not luck at all, it is systematic approach to testing and verifying that will prove best in the long run, and, of course, a clean HTPC).

Thanks for re-posting, bim…