Is It Possible To Make Videos Run Smoothly With Software?

[jsharx]

Hi, im wondering if there is any possible way to boost/increase video performance or simply make videos run smoothly online or offline through software cause im having issues where videos online stick when they play and it really bothering me. Any help is much appreciated!

 

[marsmimar]

I'm not an expert in this field. Perhaps others will jump in to correct me or offer other advice. But I don't think additional software would help. The reasons why online videos start and stop are usually related to (1) your internet download speed; (2) your available RAM; (3) other programs that might be running in the background; (4) possible malware on the computer; and (5) the software you're using to view the videos may have become damaged or corrupt. And there may be other reasons as well.

Problem 1: Just as an example, let's suppose your internet download speed is 3 Megabits per second. Let's further suppose the video you're trying to watch needs a download speed of 4Mbps or higher to play smoothly without those annoying stops and starts. No amount of additional software will solve that issue in my opinion. (Using additional software might actually contribute to Problem 3, above.)

Problem 2: Some videos get stored in RAM when they're first streamed to your computer. The video will then be played from the RAM. As the video is played, more video is downloaded to fill up the newly created empty RAM. (Think of a pail with a hole in the bottom. You fill the pail up with water. The water drains out of the hole creating empty space at the top of the pail. You continue to add more water.) If you add too much water at one time, the pail will overflow. If too much video is being "poured" (streamed) into your RAM you're going to have playback issues and it might help to max out your available RAM.

Problem 3: If your computer is running other programs in the background such as anti-virus scans, automatic updates, anything at all that uses up computer resources, videos can suffer.

Problem 4: Malware. Should be self explanatory. If you haven't run a full scan recently, you might want to --- just to rule out that possibility.

Problem 5: Have you tried using a different video player to see if that makes a difference? A lot of people recommend the free VLC.

A final thought about streaming videos (viewing in real time online) vs. viewing offline after downloading to your computer. Let's suppose it takes you 10 minutes to download a 5 minute video to your computer. Is the download time greater than the time it would take to watch the video streaming in real time, even with all the stops and starts?

 

[jsharx]

I'm not an expert in this field. Perhaps others will jump in to correct me or offer other advice. But I don't think additional software would help. The reasons why online videos start and stop are usually related to (1) your internet download speed; (2) your available RAM; (3) other programs that might be running in the background; (4) possible malware on the computer; and (5) the software you're using to view the videos may have become damaged or corrupt. And there may be other reasons as well.

Problem 1: Just as an example, let's suppose your internet download speed is 3 Megabits per second. Let's further suppose the video you're trying to watch needs a download speed of 4Mbps or higher to play smoothly without those annoying stops and starts. No amount of additional software will solve that issue in my opinion. (Using additional software might actually contribute to Problem 3, above.)

Problem 2: Some videos get stored in RAM when they're first streamed to your computer. The video will then be played from the RAM. As the video is played, more video is downloaded to fill up the newly created empty RAM. (Think of a pail with a hole in the bottom. You fill the pail up with water. The water drains out of the hole creating empty space at the top of the pail. You continue to add more water.) If you add too much water at one time, the pail will overflow. If too much video is being "poured" (streamed) into your RAM you're going to have playback issues and it might help to max out your available RAM.

Problem 3: If your computer is running other programs in the background such as anti-virus scans, automatic updates, anything at all that uses up computer resources, videos can suffer.

Problem 4: Malware. Should be self explanatory. If you haven't run a full scan recently, you might want to --- just to rule out that possibility.

Problem 5: Have you tried using a different video player to see if that makes a difference? A lot of people recommend the free VLC.

A final thought about streaming videos (viewing in real time online) vs. viewing offline after downloading to your computer. Let's suppose it takes you 10 minutes to download a 5 minute video to your computer. Is the download time greater than the time it would take to watch the video streaming in real time, even with all the stops and starts?

Well, usually, I have to download the videos to play smoothly but when I watch them online (via flash player) it sticks.

 

[marsmimar]

Do you have the latest Adobe Flash installed? (Don't forget to uncheck any optional software in the middle section if you don't want or need it.)

Adobe - Install Adobe Flash Player

 

[jsharx]

Do you have the latest Adobe Flash installed? (Don't forget to uncheck any optional software in the middle section if you don't want or need it.)

Adobe - Install Adobe Flash Player

Yeah, my flash player is up to date.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi you can try this to test,
http://www.sevenforums.com/network-and-sharing/329660-whats-your-internet-speed.html

You also did not mention which browser or browsers you use ?
Temp files delete,
Download it to your desktop,
Run this as administrator and Start the scanner,
Shut your machine down after it finishes,
http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/files/file/187-tfc-temp-file-cleaner-by-oldtimer/

 

[jsharx]

Hi you can try this to test,
http://www.sevenforums.com/network-and-sharing/329660-whats-your-internet-speed.html

You also did not mention which browser or browsers you use ?
Temp files delete,
Download it to your desktop,
Run this as administrator and Start the scanner,
Shut your machine down after it finishes,
http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/files/file/187-tfc-temp-file-cleaner-by-oldtimer/

I use the Slimjet Browser which looks alot like Google Chrome and thanks for the software.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi you didn't post your internet speed test results :/
Did the software work was there any improvement ?

Try Clean boot,
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/179159-troubleshoot-application-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html
Click Start and type in the search box,
msconfig
Click on the suggestion on top or hit the Enter key,
Go to the Startup section and take some screen shots for a complete list,
Go to the Services section and on the bottom left Check the box to Hide All Microsoft services,
Repeat the screen shots,
See the links above my signature on how to take and upload screen shots here,
Cheers.

 

[jsharx]

Hi you didn't post your internet speed test results :/
Did the software work was there any improvement ?

Try Clean boot,
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/179159-troubleshoot-application-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html
Click Start and type in the search box,
msconfig
Click on the suggestion on top or hit the Enter key,
Go to the Startup section and take some screen shots for a complete list,
Go to the Services section and on the bottom left Check the box to Hide All Microsoft services,
Repeat the screen shots,
See the links above my signature on how to take and upload screen shots here,
Cheers.

The software didn't do much but here's the screenshot:



And here is my speedtest results:

 

[ThrashZone]

Thanks Net limiter looks like an odd one in services :/
Also Folder guard ?
I usually leave the room when uTorrent is listed
Unchecking items usually produces Unknowns if the service... is uninstalled,
Check them re-download and then uninstall might clear up the entries ?
Usually ccleaner or similar can clean them up, Use at your own risk
Unchecking an item is only a trouble shooting tip to see if the item/ service is causing an issue,
They must be checked to be cleared if uninstalled,
Cheers.

 

[jsharx]

Thanks Net limiter looks like an odd one in services :/
Also Folder guard ?
I usually leave the room when uTorrent is listed
Unchecking items usually produces Unknowns if the service... is uninstalled,
Check them re-download and then uninstall might clear up the entries ?
Usually ccleaner or similar can clean them up, Use at your own risk
Unchecking an item is only a trouble shooting tip to see if the item/ service is causing an issue,
They must be checked to be cleared if uninstalled,
Cheers.

Oh, I see

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Uncheck all from startup Except your Antivirus and re-start your computer and test,
This was already explained on the Clean Boot link did you try it ?
Cheers.

 

[jsharx]

Hi,
Uncheck all from startup Except your Antivirus and re-start your computer and test,
This was already explained on the Clean Boot link did you try it ?
Cheers.

Yeah, I finished trying it. It didn't do much when I tested a youtube video. It was still sticking a bit.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi see if this is an option for your browser,
http://www.youtube.com/html5
Other than that if you haven't already test using internet explorer,
Modern browsers don't need flash player installed to watch youtube videos,
Cheers.

 

[jsharx]

Hi see if this is an option for your browser,
http://www.youtube.com/html5
Other than that if you haven't already test using internet explorer,
Modern browsers don't need flash player installed to watch youtube videos,
Cheers.

Yeah, It seems it might be impossible through software to make online videos play smoothly.

 

[jsharx]

Hi,
Uncheck all from startup Except your Antivirus and re-start your computer and test,
This was already explained on the Clean Boot link did you try it ?
Cheers.

I did that and it still sticks.

 

[ThrashZone]

Use the link in my signature to update your system spec's,
You show win-7 ultimate 64 bit with only 2 gig's of memory that sounds weird,
Cheers.

 

[jsharx]

Use the link in my signature to update your system spec's,
You show win-7 ultimate 64 bit with only 2 gig's of memory that sounds weird,
Cheers.

Thanks

 

[ThrashZone]

Thanks for what please update your system spec's :/
Also use this cool test,
http://www.sevenforums.com/performa...ormance-issues-win7-computer.html#post2953480

 

[jsharx]

Thanks for what please update your system spec's :/
Also use this cool test,
http://www.sevenforums.com/performa...ormance-issues-win7-computer.html#post2953480

Ok, I updated my system specs and here is a screenshot of my DPC latency test: