DVD playback choppy on Toshiba laptop

[dface]

When I try to play a dvd on my Toshiba Satellite laptop, it plays fine for about 10 minutes, then is consistently choppy, it looks like barely 2 frames per second. This choppiness is not just during high-action scenes, but is constant. No other programs are running, restarting the InterVideoWinDVD software doesn't help, and the computer has lots of hd space, 512mb of RAM and a Pentium III. I have shut down all unnecessary helper applications, taskbar programs, etc. It happened not only with a very compressed, long dvd like the extended Lord of The Rings, but also with a very basic movies under 2 hours. Anyone have any suggestions? I've tried everything I know.

[aldtech]

Sounds like the DVD player may be old and is going. Your system does not sound slow but the question is, did your laptop come with a DVD player originally? If not, it may not have the video power/support needed to play DVDs (low end video graphics). If that's the case, replacing the DVD player will not help, it's the laptop.

AL

[wwfarch]

I suspect that the laptop may also be overheating while playing DVDs. Since the disc is constantly spinning there is a lot of extra heat generated. I would suggest that you check your fans to make sure that they are still working. Have you tried upgrading the firmware of the DVD player? It's a long shot but it may be worth checking out as well.

[muno]

Try updating the intervideo windvd. Sometimes my windvd gets all messed up and starts eating 100% cputime for nothing.