Q: iTunes freezes when playing any kind of video

Although you're getting slightly different symptoms, perhaps let's give the following user tip a try. (I haven't got the precise symptom set fully nailed down yet.)

iTunes for Windows 10.7.0.21: "iTunes has stopped working" error messages when playing videos, video podcasts, movies and TV shows

Okay.

Doublechecking. When you uninstalled iTunes, was it a complete uninstall/reinstall, as per the following document?

Removing and reinstalling iTunes, QuickTime, and other software components for Windows Vista or Windows 7

(Checking, because I think some of the video-playing-componentry is kept down in Apple Application Support nowadays ... if there's an issue with that stuff, just uninstalling and reinstalling iTunes on its own might not clear away the trouble.)

Hi mikeraydesign,

I started having the same problem several days ago possibly after installing the latest iTunes update. The problem is still not resolved completely, but I manage to get my videos playing. So here is what worked for me: I started iTunes in safe mode (which disables any third-party plug-ins, detailed how-to is here: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3430 ) and tried to watch a random trailer in Apple store, it worked. Then I tried to start a rented movie and iTunes crashed. I started it over in safe mode again and watched the whole movie without a problem. However, the video still doesn't run if I start iTunes normally, so we need a solution for this. Well, better than nothing

Update graphics card driver... or disable your default graphics driver. I was on the phone with Apple support on this same issue, they were not able to find any solution right now, but I did notice that when updating my video card driver, the issue was resolved

Same problem here - updated graphics driver and the first video I tried to play played audio only, then subsequent videos crashed again. *sigh* Anyone heard anything from Apple about fixing this bug?

I had this same problem s a lot of others after updating to the latest I Tunes version. I finally got a decent response back from Apple, which was hard to do. Here is what they told me. Maybe it will help you:

I'm sorry to hear that you're dissatisfied with the way the episodes you purchased plays in iTunes on your computer. I appreciate your decision of contacting us to have this concern addressed. It's my pleasure to be of help for you today.

Raymond, please accept my sincere apologies for the inconvenience this issue has caused you. iTunes Store videos are optimized for playback on iOS devices and Apple TV.

This article often helps customers who are having video playback performance issues:

Troubleshooting iTunes for Windows Vista or Windows 7 video playback performance issues

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1718

If your computer meets the requirements yet video playback is not satisfactory, here are some things that might improve the quality:

1) Make sure you are using the latest version of iTunes for Windows. It is available free of charge here:

http://www.apple.com/itunes/download

(Note that installing the latest version of iTunes will not affect your library or any items in your account waiting to be downloaded.)

2) Quit as many other open applications as you can before playing videos in iTunes.

3) Wait for all iTunes Store purchases to finish downloading before playing videos.

4) Use this article to guide you through updating your PC's drivers:

Updating the drivers on your Windows PC

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1768

5) Disable all non-Microsoft startup programs and services by following the steps in the appropriate article below:

Using Msconfig to troubleshoot conflicts in Windows Vista and Windows 7

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2292

6) If the video's audio track is not satisfactory, follow the troubleshooting steps in this article:

iTunes and QuickTime for Windows: Songs and other audio don't play correctly

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1362

Thanks, but sadly, no luck!

However - the same videos that won't play in iTunes WILL play in Quick Time. Not ideal, but it will work for now!

I can confirm this problem.

I have the exact same issue.

Uninstalling and reinstalling itunes/Quicktime didn't have any positive effect.

I can recreate the problem every time.

Same thing is happening to me right now.  Bios, all drivers, etc are up to date, and I just built the system a couple of weeks ago.  Happening with iTunes 11.01 and for any movie I have in my library. 

Ive Been having the same exact problem the past few weeks, Everything updated ... i even went out and picked up an apple TV last week and it connects to itunes and plays music but the video just dosent play it just keeps buffering, witch pretty much makes this useless for me. Soooo now what? and this is the most up to date post that ive found that actually has ALL the same symptoms as me. Where do i sign up to fix this!

And another one with the exact same problem.  Just installed my PC yesterday. Everything is up to date. But no Video works...it just freezes :-(

I have tried everything that has been described here, but nothing worked. Really need HELP :-)

System components:

Inte Core i7 2,93GHz

8GB RAM

64-Bit System

Graphic: NVIDIA GeForce GTS 240 (driverversion: 9.18.13.1070)