satrn

Q: Choppy audio music playback after Itunes 12.1 update on Windows 8.1

Hardware


Intel Core i7-2600 CPU @3.40GHz

RAM 12.0

64bit OS x64-based processor

GC: AMD Radeon HD 5700 Series

Windows 8.1 Pro

 

 

iTunes 12.1.0.71

64bit

 

 

After updating iTunes to their latest and greatest update, that was on Jan 31, 2015, i have noticed a great deal of choppy/small amount of skipping/popcorn popping in the back ground of all the songs. (keep in mind i only use iTunes purely for music and nothing else)

I have tried the good old Google search but only seemed to run into old articles dating back to 2009, that didn't help at all.

 

I also noticed that only when using Google Chrome extensively, (many tabs open and surfing), is when it was at its worse, other then that if i just have iTunes running alone with nothing else happening the choppy popcorn distortion is minimized.

 

any help would be greatly appreciated. thank you for your time.

Posted on Feb 3, 2015 2:49 PM

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Q: Choppy audio music playback after Itunes 12.1 update on Windows 8.1

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  • by hhgttg27,Solvedanswer

    hhgttg27 hhgttg27 Feb 3, 2015 2:35 PM in response to satrn
    Level 5 (5,407 points)
    iTunes
    Feb 3, 2015 2:35 PM in response to satrn

    There is an alternative downloader for 64-bit editions of Windows here:

     

     

    that seems to address the playback issues that some users have been reporting with the full 64-bit version (the alternative installer here is the same architecture as most previous "64-bit" versions of iTunes, i.e., a 32-bit application with a 64-bit installer).  The "for older video cards" label appears to be something of a misnomer as some people have reported that this corrects problems found on current / high-spec systems.

     

    Some users have reported that after installing this alternative version it is necessary to adjust the "Play audio using:" selection in Edit > Preferences > Playback to restore glitch-free audio.

  • by satrn,

    satrn satrn Feb 3, 2015 2:43 PM in response to hhgttg27
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 3, 2015 2:43 PM in response to hhgttg27

    Thank you for the fast response, I will try that now.

  • by Rezdog13,

    Rezdog13 Rezdog13 Feb 3, 2015 8:55 PM in response to satrn
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 3, 2015 8:55 PM in response to satrn

    I'm having the exact same problem with this new update. all the audio on my music, movies, and tv shows is really choppy and its really annoying. if you find a way to fix this could you let me know?

  • by hhgttg27,

    hhgttg27 hhgttg27 Feb 3, 2015 9:41 PM in response to Rezdog13
    Level 5 (5,407 points)
    iTunes
    Feb 3, 2015 9:41 PM in response to Rezdog13

    Have you tried installing the alternative version of iTunes 12.1 referenced in my previous response?

  • by Casper.,

    Casper. Casper. Feb 3, 2015 9:58 PM in response to satrn
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 3, 2015 9:58 PM in response to satrn

    I'm also experiencing similar issues. I constantly hear skips/stutters in audio playback.

    I adjusted bitrate and bps, no difference.

     

    The alternate 12.1 doesn't have this issue, but doesn't perform as well..

     

    I highly doubt its an "older graphics card" issue.


    System:

    Win 8.1 64bit

    i7-4770

    16gb ram

    EVGA GeForece GTX 780ti SC

  • by Casper.,

    Casper. Casper. Feb 3, 2015 10:03 PM in response to Casper.
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 3, 2015 10:03 PM in response to Casper.

    I noticed under playback preferences, the option for "play audio using:" is now Windows Audio Session

    Before, the selected option was Direct Sound.

  • by NinjaXue,

    NinjaXue NinjaXue Feb 4, 2015 12:12 AM in response to hhgttg27
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 4, 2015 12:12 AM in response to hhgttg27

    Thanks a bunch! Tried this and it worked. The playback option switched from Windows Audio Session, as mentioned by Casper. above, back to Direct Sound after the fix. Dunno if that actually was the source of the problem, but worth noting

  • by kingwolfpup,

    kingwolfpup kingwolfpup Feb 4, 2015 2:33 PM in response to Casper.
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 4, 2015 2:33 PM in response to Casper.

    My iTunes does not have an option other than Windows Audio Session, however it is the latest 12.1 update. Do you know how to get it showing?

  • by hhgttg27,

    hhgttg27 hhgttg27 Feb 4, 2015 2:44 PM in response to kingwolfpup
    Level 5 (5,407 points)
    iTunes
    Feb 4, 2015 2:44 PM in response to kingwolfpup

    That option seems to be unavailable for some installations of the full 64-bit version of iTunes 12.1, particularly on Windows 8.1.  Based on evidence seen so far, the best way to restore correct audio playback within iTunes 12.1 on 64 bit Windows systems is to install the alternative version for 64-bit editions of Windows available here:

     

     

    From what I've seen, this version restores the playback choices available in earlier releases and in the fully 32-bit version of 12.1 (as previously noted, the "for older video cards" installer is the 32-bit application within a 64-bit installation framework).

  • by alexanderfromsharon,

    alexanderfromsharon alexanderfromsharon Feb 4, 2015 4:53 PM in response to hhgttg27
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 4, 2015 4:53 PM in response to hhgttg27

    Had the same issue. Just tried the alternative download for older video cards and it worked fine. No more distorted sound. Thanks for this helpful advice!

  • by hhgttg27,

    hhgttg27 hhgttg27 Feb 4, 2015 4:59 PM in response to alexanderfromsharon
    Level 5 (5,407 points)
    iTunes
    Feb 4, 2015 4:59 PM in response to alexanderfromsharon

    I'd actually be interested to know how many people (if any!) have not had playback issues with the 64-bit version of iTunes 12.1.  A totally unscientific sample of friends / family / work colleagues suggests that the problem is widespread, to the extent that I've yet to find anyone who hasn't either reverted to 12.0 or installed the "for older video cards" version of 12.1 to restore glitch-free playback.

  • by MetalAndWinter,

    MetalAndWinter MetalAndWinter Feb 5, 2015 8:22 AM in response to satrn
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 5, 2015 8:22 AM in response to satrn

    Installing the version "for older graphics cards" worked for me, thank you!

  • by Rezdog13,

    Rezdog13 Rezdog13 Feb 5, 2015 10:01 AM in response to hhgttg27
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 5, 2015 10:01 AM in response to hhgttg27

    I have a question if i uninstall the updated version and install the the older version will i have rip my cds on it again?

  • by kingwolfpup,

    kingwolfpup kingwolfpup Feb 5, 2015 10:04 AM in response to Rezdog13
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 5, 2015 10:04 AM in response to Rezdog13

    You don't have to uninstall it, just install the alternative one, it says it should not affect your current library.

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