Choppy HD Streaming on my Media Center PC

[V8VANTAGE]

This Media center PC isn't exactly the most powerful system on earth, but for some reason, it cannot run streaming HD TV (DVB-T2) smoothly. Also on BBC HD sometimes it plays sound and sometimes not.

In the Task Manager the CPU usage is between 98-100% but on SD channels like BBC One and Dave it maxes out at about 20%.

Trying to watch HD Tv then going back into the main screen or EPG is a pain, takes about 10 seconds to respond to any button presses.

The install of Windows 7 64bit is as clean as can be. Just Antivirus, Google Chrome and MCE Standby Tool.

Whats strange is that 720p videos downloaded from the net, even BBC iplayer streams work absolutely fine with moderate CPU usage.

What is the problem, and is there anything I can do aside from building new from scratch?

My Hardware:
Hiper HMC2K53-H2
AM2+ MSI motherboard
AMD Athlon x2 5600+ 2.8ghz
4GB DDR2 800mhz RAM
Intel 40GB SSD
Samsung 750gb 2.5" laptop hard drive
PCTV Systems Nanostick T2 290e USB TV reciever

 

[warrenhaydock]

Your processor should be adequate, however I suspect that your onboard video is inadequate for HD streams, additionally your TV card is USB, not a fast connection which may suggest why downloaded shows are ok.

 

[shadow360]

usb = NO HD the signels are too complicated for it to decode fast enough

you could try "recording the shows" then play them back at a later time see how that works but your not going to be able to stream with usb

 

[V8VANTAGE]

Thanks for the replies, so far.

I think I have found what the likely culprit is though but not 100%. I downloaded CPU-z and to my surprise, the computer is only recognising the processor as a single core, and in device manager under processors, there is only one entry where there should be two (because its dual core).

I have also read through the manual that came with this motherboard and it doesn't list my processor as compatible with that motherboard. The "Brisbane 65w 2.9ghz" version is, but CPU-z reports that my 5600+ is a "Windsor 89w 2.8ghz". Could this be the culprit? I have won a working Brisbane 5600+ chip off ebay and i'll give it a shot with this cpu.

Also, I have tried this USB tuner on my main "gaming" rig and its awesome on that. Not a single frame drop even on BBC HD and much faster scrolling through channels.