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[cosmicfx]

Hi

Is it normal for MC to use this much of  system resources while playing Radio?
Or is there something not right with my system?

Thanks
PS. Using vulume leveling and using latest build ...Media Center 12.0.421

[Alex B]

During MP3 playback my CPU usage varies between 0-3% on a 2.8 GHz P4 (using the Standard View mode without any DSP or moving visualizations). Volume Leveling does not affect CPU usage (at least not measurably).

Resampling and some other DSP studio options can increase CPU usage. Some visualizations are resource hogs. Do you have any third-party plug-ins installed? Depending on what they are designed to do they can use more or less CPU.

EDIT

I just noticed that you wrote Radio, not Audio. Do you mean MC's "Radio" playback feature or Internet radio stations or something else?

I tried MC's "Play Radio" feature. It didn't make any difference.

[cosmicfx]

Hi Alex

I have some minor plugins like the sleep timer and Playin Now plugin, but not really using it yet. (still gotta figure out how)

Yes, am using MC's Radio.

PS. I've moticed that it changes ... sometimes low cpu (01-03) , then at times like in the screenshot. So it varies.

[Alex B]

So are you saying that "Radio" causes this? If yes, you should find out what is the CPU usage on your PC when Radio is not used (without changing anthing else) and report that too.

[cosmicfx]

No Alex. I wasn't saying that Radio caused this, I just mentioned that it was happening while playing Radio (just in chase it was of importance).

[Alex B]

I see. In that case it is unnecessary to mention only the Radio without explaining everything about your current settings and configuration. You need to be able to explain what is the difference when compared with a situation that you consider normal.

You could experiment with the DSP, display, plugin etc settings and try to find out what causes the difference if it is a problem for you.

One obvious thing that I didn't bother to mention is Auto-Importer. In general, if it is enabled it has a slight effect to the CPU usage. If it needs to decode video or create thumbnails the CPU usage will momentarily increase a lot.

[cosmicfx]

It may be that then, as the Auto-importer is enabled.
I'm going to keep an eye on the system for a while and if it insists, I'll first re-install MC again and see if that makes a difference, before reporting anything.

Thanks for your help Alex.

[JimH]

It could also be something else - a virus checker, for example.

[cosmicfx]

It could also be something else - a virus checker, for example.

Hi Jim

How could a virus checker cause MC to uses so much cpu?

Thanks

[Doof]

Can you post your System Information?  Help->System Information.

I've been playing Radio mode now, with Volume Leveling on, and with a fullscreen 3D visualization running, and MC is averaging less than 6%. The highest I've seen it hit is 19% and that was for a very short time. With just Cover Art as my visualization, MC is averaging less than 1% CPU time.

Try disabling plugins using Tools->Plug-in Manager and see if that makes any difference.

[Uwe]

Do you really mean playing Radio or do you mean an Internet radio stream?

[JimH]

How could a virus checker cause MC to uses so much cpu?

We've seen a lot of "weird" problems from virus checkers.  Try searching for virus in this thread:
http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=24031.0

(The entire thread is devoted to problems caused by other software/hardware.)

[Alex B]

Actually, it must be something that specifically makes the "Media Center 12.exe" process use more CPU.

For example, it could be the resampler if it is set to resample to 192 kHz (or some other stupid value), but this should use CPU all the time.

[cosmicfx]

Hi all

Thanks for your help. Since last I posted, I disabled the plugins and re-installed MC, and so far no problems.
Seems to be running as it should be. If there are any changes I'll post again.
Jim, thanks. Interesting reading on those links.
But with the limited very knowledge I have ... I have no clue ? what was going on, but can very possibly be any one of the possible causes posted by you guys.

Thanks again ( and I hope for no repeat )
Ps. Uwe, I meant the "Playing Radio" and not streaming. ( although I don't think it would have been a culprit)