Windows Media Player 10 Problem--maybe?

[LMTC]

OK, I should know by now to quit downloading windows program updates that are not directly related to security. I allowed media player to update on one PC....the one I usually use for burning DVDs. I use DVD Shrink & DVD Fab Platinum, and have had great success with both. Typically that PC will analyze and backup a 1-1/2 hour DVD in about 10-12 minutes w/ Shrink, and will do a direct copy with Fab in about the same time, maybe 3-5 minutes more.

So several days ago I realized it was taking 2 hours to do this. Ran the spyware, though that's never been a problem...got firewall and AV, and do not surf on that PC, nor do email. I start looking at restore points to see what changed, and the only thing I find in the past two weeks (and I admit I can't pinpoint the day the copy/burn started taking longer...I just know that I noticed it a few days ago) is the update to media player 10. Do any of you with PC or network background think this could be the issue? This PC does not seem to be noticeably slower on other tasks, just the DVD copy/burn. It's other use is almost exclusively Office software (Access & Excel) and I notice no slow down. This is a 4200+ Athlon 64x2 dual core machine w/ a gig of memory. If I don't hear or find viable suggestions I will probably do a restore system this weekend to the point prior to the media player update. The only reason I haven't already is that I really like the appearance and performance of media player 10. Thanks for any input.

 

[rbarker]

I just know that I noticed it a few days ago) is the update to media player 10. Do any of you with PC or network background think this could be the issue? This PC does not seem to be noticeably slower on other tasks, just the DVD copy/burn.

Media player definately interacts with your CD / DVD drives so it could be the source of your problem. Does media player start whenever you insert a disc? Could be that it's trying to control your other software and causing time outs. Also, it may be trying to connect to the online store or music library and causing delays there. You could try turning off any automatic features and unassociating all file types except the windows media types to keep it from running when you try to make a disc. If that works then you found your problem. I'm not familiar with the other software you mention for DVD burning but if it's older there could be some incompatibilities with the drivers for the two programs. If that's the case then system restore might be the way to go. An uninstall of Media player through control panel might leave the conflicting dll in place or worse, delete some that your other software need to function.

Good luck!

 

[LMTC]

Does media player start whenever you insert a disc? Could be that it's trying to control your other software and causing time outs. Also, it may be trying to connect to the online store or music library and causing delays there. Good luck!

Yes, a dialogue box opens asking if I want to play the DVD on media player. I click "No". Re: trying to connect, I use Zona Alarm and have denied media player (and most other programs) the right to go online. If I understand your point re: the association....media player may be controlling, or attempting to control resources associated with the drives causing the slowdown? Is there a way I can "disassociate" media player from the drives? Can I make it NOT be my default player somehow? Thanks for the input.

 

[Dutch445]

I wasn't impressed with the excess baggage that
came with WMP 10 either, and am thinking
of seeing if I still have the old version 9 install
file.. and if so uninstalling the whole program
and starting over with a fresh install of 9, if
it's possible.

 

[rbarker]

If I understand your point re: the association....media player may be controlling, or attempting to control resources associated with the drives causing the slowdown? Is there a way I can "disassociate" media player from the drives? Can I make it NOT be my default player somehow? Thanks for the input.

Yeah, that's what I was getting at. Tools /Options should allow you a choice called "files". Uncheck the ones you don't want it to open. Also, "devices" may allow you to disaccociate the drive from the program. Tinker around in there a bit. These suggestions are generic since I am using Media Player 11, not 10.

 

[Bird]

I really like the appearance and performance of media player 10

Wayne, I recently downloaded the updates to Windows Media Player and it was definitely a big change in the appearance, so I assumed I had the same thing you have, but I just now checked and found that I'm running Windows Media Player 11 instead of 10, so now I don't know whether I had 10 before the last update, or whether I had 9 and skipped 10.

 

[LMTC]

Bird,
I just checked again and it is now indeed 11 (just shaking my head....we really aren't in control, are we?) I went to Tools, Options, and dis-associated it with DVDs, but the next copy/burn was still slow. I'm heading for a restore I think.

 

[Bird]

we really aren't in control, are we?

I don't mind not being in control; but it would be nice to have some idea of what's going on, and I don't even have that.

 

[duber34]

I'm using DVD Shrink and DVD decrypter to burn DVD's on my system. I haven't noticed any slow down in the burn process since upgrading to
WMP11. AMD64, 3500+, 1/2 gig of memory.

A movie up to 4.4GB in size still rip's and burns in about 12 - 15 min. Now if the movie is larger, say 6.5GB, then it takes a bit longer as DVD shrink needs to encode the .ISO image down to the 4.4 - 4.7GB size to fit on a regular DVD -R disc. (Could take upwards of an hour.) How big are the movie's you are trying to burn?

Maybe try defragmenting your hard drive before you start the rip/burn?

Might also try burning to a dual layer disc which holds 8.7GB of data. This way the .ISO image won't need to be compressed before burning.

Good luck finding the cause.

Regards,
Duber

 

[LMTC]

Duber,
thanks for that info...that tends to remove MP as the culprit. BTW, my automatic restore points note the installation of MP 10, not 11, a week ago, but the program clearly says 11 when I check under Help, About.

Did an average (about 5 gig) movie last night again, and it took about 1:20. Way, way too long. I had been doing 6-7 gig movies in 15 minutes, even though they result in compression to about 60% or so to burn on a 4.7 DVD. I buy the 4.7 DVDs for about 25 cents each, where the 8.7 ones cost over a dollar. I will try defragging, but this PC is only 11 months old, and as I said has a very narrow usage. Also, the change was literally overnight...very dramatic, not gradual.