WMP goes nuts...

When I play an mp3 or another audio type, WMP takes up a huge amount of CPU cycles and my laptop heats up like crazy. On the other hand, if I play a DVD or a DIVX movie in WMP, it's fine. If I play audio files in Winamp or iTunes, once again, it's fine.

Why would WMP stress my laptop so much to play an audio file?

 

what's the format of the audio file?
what's the compression rate of the audio file?

 

Like I said, mp3 or any other type of audio file.

Compression rates range from low-q to high-q, but mainly just your standard 192 kbps mp3.

 

Windows 7 32 or 64? Build number? What version of WMP? Any third party codecs installed? Have you checked the Microsoft Windows 7 forum for anyone with a similar problem?

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/category/w7itpro/

 

32. The standard RC.

The one that comes with Win7?

Ya, I have Shark's007 codecs, but I got them because they specifically say they don't interfere with the built-in codecs.

I did give it a decent search, nothing overly thorough, but didn't see any mention of anyone with a similar issue.

Was wondering what might cause it and any possible solutions.... like re-installing WMP?

 

I'd start by removing those 3rd party codecs. The only way to really know if there's a Windows 7 problem is to make sure you have a vanilla Windows 7 installation.

 

I have Win7 64-bit (why would anyone run a 32-bit OS? anyway) No problem here with Shark007 codec. Maybe, something happen, or a bad build of the codec pack. Try uninstalling that codec pack, restart your computer. See if your problem is solved. If it is, try the latest version of the codec pack, it should be fine.

If the problem does not help after removing the codec pack, then it sounds like a motherboard or sound card driver problem. Install the latest Win7 (or Vista) drivers.

 

If you don't have 4GB of memory it doesn't make much sense to opt for 64-bit...

Motherboard/sound card? Na man. It's a software issue.

Not worth the hassle, I just won't play audio files in WMP.

 

I have noticed when first starting up WMP it will rescan your library for changed files. Well my library is huge so it usually takes a while causing about 20-30% CPU usage until it completes, Could this be your problem?

 

I saw visually the speed increase... but that is your loss.

Sorry, but DRIVERS is software.

This is no solution to the problem. you are at 1 hair from "Install Linux!" comment.

 

Um. I can't speak of personal experience, but I've looked into it for personal installs, and every comparison I've read explicitly states that unless you're going to take advantage of the larger memory capacity, it nets you little to no advantage. I don't know how you were able to visually quantify the speed increase but ah.... I'll take your word for it.

By software, I meant something in Windows or WMP, not something attributed to the drivers, which I would consider a hardware issue. And again, I am almost certain it's a "software" issue and nothing related to my motherboard. lolz.

One hair from install Linux? Dude, you need to relax. lol.
It's RC... it's not the final product. I can deal with a little problem like this. I've got Winamp and iTunes installed... I'll just use one of those and I am sure I will be just fine for the foreseeable future.


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Regarding WMPs library, that's not it... thanks though.

 

Let's cut to the chase. In real-world experience, 64-bit will not execute faster than 32-bit unless the app is specifically coded for 64-bit. Even then depending on the process, the difference is negligible. Yes, the largest advantage for consumer OS at 64-bit is to address additional RAM. Vista x64 (and Seven x64) is inherently more secure, but that's by design of the OS, not necessarily because it's 64-bit.

Now back on topic, please ...