Windows Playback stutters

[tim73]

When I capture VHS with my Adaptec card, sometimes parts of the playback (All playback software) will stutter. However, when I burn these MPEGS to DVD using the Adaptec software, they play perfectly. It's not really a problem, as it's DVD creation I'm after, but I'm a little confused by this. My system is streamlined and all my Codecs are up to date. The thing is, I even get the odd stutter when I copy a DVD movie to my Hard Drive and play it from there. I suppose there's something about my system that prevents smooth playback, but I can't for the life of me figure out what it is. My internet machine (This one) is a celeron 500 with built in Intel810, and that plays DVD's smooth! Even Re-Installing Windows has no effect, as I bought a second Hard Drive just for video capture. As I say, it's not really a problem, but I'd like to know why Video files stutter on my main machine. Any insight welcome.

[teegee420]

Are you sure the jerkiness isn't the combing effect caused by interlacing?

[JeffD]

When I capture VHS with my Adaptec card, sometimes parts of the playback (All playback software) will stutter. However, when I burn these MPEGS to DVD using the Adaptec software, they play perfectly. It's not really a problem, as it's DVD creation I'm after, but I'm a little confused by this. My system is streamlined and all my Codecs are up to date. The thing is, I even get the odd stutter when I copy a DVD movie to my Hard Drive and play it from there. I suppose there's something about my system that prevents smooth playback, but I can't for the life of me figure out what it is. My internet machine (This one) is a celeron 500 with built in Intel810, and that plays DVD's smooth! Even Re-Installing Windows has no effect, as I bought a second Hard Drive just for video capture. As I say, it's not really a problem, but I'd like to know why Video files stutter on my main machine. Any insight welcome.

I have a similar problem:

OS: Win2k
Capture: WinTV PVR USB

What I'm getting is stuttering (both video and audio) in the viewing window of WinTV2000 while recording -- but only when I capture to my newly installed (WD160GB) second hard drive. When I perform the identical procedure but capture to my original (Maxtor 80GB) hard drive, I do not get this effect.

Interestingly, the playback in Win Media Player (and editing in Sony Vegas Movie Studio 4) of the saved captures from both hard drives is fine. Like you, I find this to be an annoyance and curiosity more than a real problem.

Could it be a function of the speed (seek time, etc. -- I don't know much about hard drives) of the second hard drive?

Could this be happening because the capturing program is on a different drive than the capture destination drive?

JeffD

[jameshgross]

The jerkiness is usually caused by some process running in the computer.
You may not even realize that the process is operating.
Using Task Manager examine to number of running processes. The normal Windoiws system will have between 20-30 processes operating. If you see more then you should try to reduce the number of processes.
Use AD-Aware or SpyBot to search and destroy any Spyware that maybe running. Run a AV application to check for viruses.
When processing video close all other tasks.
A good system tune up will eliminate the problems you have descriped.

[JeffD]

The jerkiness is usually caused by some process running in the computer.
Etc

Thanks for the reply, James.

If you're right that this is a function of interference from other processes, wouldn't I see the effects when capturing to my primary hard drive? As I mentioned, this problem only surfaces when I capture to my new second HDD.

JeffD

[jameshgross]

The performance characteristics of the primary HD maybe better then the secondary.