Netflix CPU pegged

[ScottJ]

So, for some reason on two of my machines (neither that great) when I stream netflix, CPU ramps up to 100% and playback starts getting choppy.


I thought perhaps this was some BW issue from ISP, but that doesn't seem to be the case when I saw the CPU issue.


Anyone else have this trouble?

[Unicorn Jeff]

Nope, how much RAM do you have? And what kind of CPU

[ScottJ]

2g

Current config

Model: Dell Latitude E6400
PROC: P8700, 2.53Ghz, 3MB cache, CoreDuo (Penryn)
HDD: 7200RPM 160GB
MEMORY: Module, Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM), 2GB, 800MHZ, DDR2, 1x2GB

[mschmoyer]

Close all other apps. Run it in a different browser. Try another video app like Hulu or Windows Media Player to rule out Netflix being the cause. If all else fails then CPU is not quite capable. Slow network would most likely not cause your CPU to spike. Check your windows score if it's Win7...might show your CPU being a bottleneck.

[momo]

what browser?

i have a much much much older laptop i have setup at my parents house and it doesn't really have an issue streaming out 720p to their plasma tv.

[jlyon]

i have a P2.2ghz dual core with 4gb ram, using Firefox, i haven't had any problems at all streaming netflix. im not sure what could be spiking it.

[Jose]

Try another browser and see if it does the same thing and maybe update your MS Silverlight or remove and reinstall it.

[Ratt]

Your problem is Internet Explorer, and it wouldn't hurt to get more ram. I have a couple 2 gig sticks I could give you if you want to meet me somewhere. You'll probably only need one of them though.

[Osiris]

Virii/spyware?

[ScottJ]

i don't run ie, this is in newest version firefox. I've got another 2G memory module en route (from work) to bring me up to 4G. Thx for the offer though Ratt but I'm in NYC.

So I'm the only user on the network right now (and also rebooted), and I've streamed 4 different shows and it hasn't gotten choppy yet (despite very high CPU usage still), so I'm thinking this had something to do with BW after all.


I might check out my Silverlight, to see if that is current.

Does any of your CPU's run high usage during netflix streaming?

[Tx Redneck]

Your video should be offloaded to the gpu. I'm not sure why you'd be getting high CPU usage.

[ScottJ]

yes, onboard nvidia dell laptop can't be that great, but I did notice pegged on both HD and non-HD.

I was going to try tethering via my Vz 4G LTE phone, and compare too (different BW).


EDIT: Buddy came and hopped on WiFi, stream went to crap. I think the CPU is a side issue, seems like I'm asking just a bit more than my ISP can provide to Stream Netflix while other WiFi users are tapping the network (Time Warner 10M cable).

[Ratt]

yes, onboard nvidia dell laptop can't be that great, but I did notice pegged on both HD and non-HD.

I was going to try tethering via my Vz 4G LTE phone, and compare too (different BW).


EDIT: Buddy came and hopped on WiFi, stream went to crap. I think the CPU is a side issue, seems like I'm asking just a bit more than my ISP can provide to Stream Netflix while other WiFi users are tapping the network (Time Warner 10M cable).

Yeah, that happens at my house. We have a 15 meg cable connection and if my wife is streaming movies I can't hardly do anything else (like gaming) without timing out.

[ScottJ]

I may do well for a router upgrade too, I'm using a pretty old Netgear;

WGR614v9