"Offering free computer help, hints, and tips to the Internet populace." Now with over 3,820 tips!

Windows Media Player 12

Buffer Additional Streaming Audio and Video for Smoother Playback

SUMMARY: Force Windows Media Player 12 to buffer up to a minute of audio and video when playing streams to avoid breaks in playback.

Are your video and audio streams played inside Windows Media Player 12 constantly starting and stopping? If so, you may have an inconsistent network connection to the remote site, or a connection to the Internet that varies based on area usage (such as a cable modem).

To counteract these problems you can force Windows Media Player 12 to buffer up to a minute of content before playback. While this requires extra time before streaming media begins to play, it should reduce, and in some cases for smaller length streams eliminate, re-buffering during stream playback.

1. In the "Library" view, click the "Organize" button, selecting "Options".

2. The "Options" multi-tabbed dialog box appears. Click the "Library" tab.

3. Underneath "Network buffering", click the "Buffer" radio button.

4. Next to "seconds of content", enter a number from 1-60 seconds.

5. Click "OK" to close the dialog box.

Windows Media Player 12 tips were written on a computer running Windows 7 RC. Screenshots and information are subject to change between this and the official release of Windows 7.