DVD playback stuttering (1 Viewer)

[skyman102]

Hi all,

I am having issues with DVD playback that seems to have started once I installed Media Portal. When I play DVDs, I get a stuttering/distorted audio playback, and often slight stuttering of the video too. It is mild, but constant - the audio stutter especially seems to coincide with the flashing of the light on the front of my DVD drive.

Not too sure what has happened - I have tried changing the audio and video codecs used in Media Portal MyDVD, but it is also happening with all DVD playback software, not just Media Portal - Zoom Player, VLC, Windows Media Player...

I am running DVD43 v 4.0 as a region unlocking software - but when I un-installed this it did not solve the issue.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Mat

 

[waveslam]

Dude,
I see you have had no replies but I am having the exact same problem so just wondering if you have worked it out at all? I have noticed that when playing a DVD, the hard disk light is constantly flickering. I also notice that if i go back in the dvd movie (i.e played a bit i have already seen) both the DVD and hard disk lights go out and the playback is smooth with no stuttering, until i get back to the part I haven't seen yet and then the stuttering reappears. WHat I am guessing is that the movie is being buffered to the hard disk as its being played, and for some reason it cant quite buffer it fast enough. I am goibg to try freeing up a heap of space on my hard disk and see if that helps, but I would be interested in how you get on.
Cheers
Brett

 

[skyman102]

I fixed the problem - my DVD drive was not set for DMA (Direct Memory Access). I had to uninstall the DVD drive driver, then the secondary IDE controller driver then reboot the machine. The IDE controller and DVD drivers automatically re-loaded, and I went in to the advanced settings on the IDE controller to make sure they were set for DMA. Apparently, if it can't use DMA a few times, it reverts to the other setting permanently (can't recall its name, but its much slower), requiring the uninstallation/reboot/reinstallation.

There are some good how-tos here:
Enable DMA mode in Windows XP (excellent one)
How to Enable DMA for any CD-/DVD-drive - VR-Zone IT & Lifestyle Forum!

Hope this helps! I had no idea what I was doing, but the websites helped.
Mat

 

[waveslam]

Mate! Thanks heaps - this turned out to be my problem as well
Cheers
Brett