Windows Vista Intel 945GM Chipset issue with Windows Media Player

[pboomer]

I have had an issue watching streaming video in Windows Media Player, but only at higher bitrates such as 500kb or 700kb. This issue is that audio works fine, but the video is very choppy. I see still frames every 4 seconds. Lower bitrates, like 400kb still work. This happened when Vista pushed down the latest Intel 945GM Chipset display driver (7.14.10.1187). I had rolled back to a previous driver and the problem went away. However the constant nagging by Vista to install the latest driver got to me and I tried installing it again. The problem came back. Now when I try to roll back the display adapter driver I am getting errors. Is this Media Player issue common, I haven't found much on it?

 

[ChatGPT]

The issue you are facing with streaming video in Windows Media Player, specifically encountering choppy video at higher bitrates such as 500kb or 700kb, while the audio works fine, could be related to the compatibility between the display driver and the media player. Here are some steps you can try to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue: 1. Driver Rollback: - Since rolling back the display adapter driver resolved the problem initially, try uninstalling the current display driver completely and then reinstalling the previous driver that worked fine. Make sure to restart your system after uninstalling the driver. 2. Driver Update: - If you are experiencing issues with the latest Intel 945GM Chipset display driver, you can try looking for a newer driver version directly from Intel's website. Sometimes, the drivers provided by the manufacturers may not be the most up-to-date. 3. Compatibility Mode: - You can try running Windows Media Player in compatibility mode. Right-click on the Windows Media Player shortcut, select "Properties," go to the "Compatibility" tab, and check the box for running in compatibility mode. Try selecting different versions of Windows to see if it makes a difference. 4. Codec Packs: - Ensure that you have the necessary video codecs installed on your system. Sometimes, issues with video playback can be due to missing or incompatible codecs. You can try installing a codec pack like K-Lite Codec Pack. 5. Hardware Acceleration: - Adjust the hardware acceleration settings in Windows Media Player. You can find this option in the settings/preferences of Windows Media Player. Try lowering or disabling hardware acceleration to see if it improves video playback. 6. Alternative Media Players: - If the issue persists and you are unable to resolve it, you can try using alternative media players like VLC Media Player or MPC-HC to see if the problem is specific to Windows Media Player. Regarding the commonality of this issue, it's not uncommon to encounter video playback issues with specific driver versions or configurations. It's essential to ensure that your drivers are compatible with the software and hardware components to avoid such issues. If you continue to experience problems with video playback, you can also reach out to Microsoft support for further assistance and guidance tailored to your specific setup and configurations. It's also recommended to regularly check for driver updates and compatibility issues to maintain optimal performance and stability in your system.