Unresponsive GUI when not playing video (1 Viewer)

[Gfer]

MediaPortal Version:1.1.0
MediaPortal Skin: StreamedMP
Windows Version: Windows 7 32-bit
CPU Type: Pentium 4 2.8ghz
HDD: 320gb maxtor 5400rpm
Memory: 2gb RAM
Motherboard: Intel D945 something I think.
Video Card: Asus Nvidia Geforce 210
Video Card Driver: Latest nvidia
Sound Card:
Sound Card AC3:
Sound Card Driver:
1. TV Card:
1. TV Card Type:
1. TV Card Driver:
2. TV Card:
2. TV Card Type:
2. TV Card Driver:
3. TV Card:
3. TV Card Type:
3. TV Card Driver:
4. TV Card:
4. TV Card Type:
4. TV Card Driver:
MPEG2 Video Codec: MPC codec
MPEG2 Audio Codec: FFDshow
h.264 Video Codec: MPC codec
Satelite/CableTV Provider:
HTPC Case:
Cooling:
Power Supply: 330w
Remote: MCE
TV: Samsung 32" full hd
TV - HTPC Connection: HDMI

When I fire up Mediaportal the menu items on the home page feel very sluggish and unresponsive when I cycle through them. However, when I play a video and let it play while i go back to the menu, I can cycle through the menu items just fine without any sluggishness what so ever. What is up with that?

Disabling sound effects and animations seems to fix this. It's kinda boring with those settings off though.