How do I change the default Windows Media Player codec?

Dazeon

New member
Power User
Local time
12:58 PM
Messages
115
Location
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Hello,

I use Windows Media Player 12 as my default player under Windows 7.

However, whilst cleaning up my audio library I have found an awful lot of MP3 files that stutter and crackle/pop whilst being played, almost like they're skipping.

If I open the folder location for these files and choose to play them with VLC, they play perfectly.

I am using the latest audio drivers (R2.40) for my onboard Realtek soundcard.
As well as the near-latest version of the Shark007 codec pack.

I have tried changing the default codec for MP3 under the Settings Application, both x86 and x64 versions, and using Run as administrator, to no avail.

So, how do I get Windows Media Player to use a different codec for MP3 playback, ideally the one that VLC uses as default, which is 'libavcodec' I think?

All other audio playback is perfectly fine, i.e. the internet, DVD, WMC, Windows etc.
It is JUST certain MP3 files. :p
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Build
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
Intel Pentium D 2.8GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-P35-DQ6
Memory
4GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro
Sound Card
Onboard Realtek HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Asus 22"
Screen Resolution
1680 x 1050
Hard Drives
x2 160GB Seagate RAID 0
Case
Gigabyte 3D Aurora
Cooling
Zalman
Keyboard
Microsoft
Mouse
Microsoft
Internet Speed
4MB

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self Built
OS
Win 10 Pro x64
CPU
Intel I5-2500K @3.3GHz
Motherboard
Asrock P67 Extreme4
Memory
16GB G.Skill Ripjaws X (4x4GB)
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GeForce 750 Ti SC 2GB
Sound Card
ASUS Xonar DG 5.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound
Monitor(s) Displays
auria eq2367
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
250GB Samsung 850 EVO SSD
1TB WD Blue
1TB Hitachi
PSU
SeaSonic X 650W 80 Plus Gold
Case
Corsair Obsidian 750D
Cooling
Corsair H60, Three 140mm case fans
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Logitech Wireless Keyboard K520
Mouse
Logitech Wireless Mouse M310
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Wave Broadband ~ 100 dn 5 up
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Windows Defender, Malwarebytes Premium
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Laptop specs: HP g7-1365dx /
CPU: AMD A6-3420M APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics /
RAM: Crucial 8Gb (2x4Gb) /
SSD: Crucial M4-CT128M4SSD2 ATA Device/ FW 000F /
GFX: AMD Radeon HD 6520G /
OS: Windows 10 Pro x64
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