VLC "problem"
 

Here's what I noticed: If I want to watch a dvd using VLC media player, I go to File/Open Disk... Now I have two choices: DVD(menu) and DVD(simple). If I chose the simple method, the movie starts right away and it's smooth and stuff. If I chose DVD(menu) method, the menus appear and I chose play movie. The movie starts but it's very choppy. This happens with all dvds, so it's not a dvd problem. BTW, I'm running an Intel4 1.7GHz, 256 Mb Ram, and that's about all that should matter.

hmm, this is interesting, let me look into it a bit, it might have something to do with the libraries VLC uses, (libdvdread, etc.)

ok, I'm back, just wondering, have you enabled DMA on your dvd-rom drive?
that would make a huge difference.

jonjon, but dont they both read from the dvd-rom drive?

I didn't enable DMA. I didn't even know you could enable DMA for dvd/cd-rom drives. Where would I set this up.

Either way, why would this matter?? Both the simple and menu mode read from the same dvd-rom drive.

I'm not sure what OS you are using...but here we go
for linux:
#hdparm -d1 /dev/hdx (x being your dvd drive)
winxp:
1. Double-click Administrative Tools and then click Computer Management
2. Click Systems Tools and then click Device Manager
3. Click to expand IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers
4. Click the specific controller for which you want to configure DMA/PIO settings.
5. Click the Advanced Settings tab
6. In the Transfer Mode box, click either PIO Only or DMA if available
7. Restart your computer for this change to be enabled and saved

the problem itself I'm still trying to get to the bottom of. I could not the linux version of VLC to replicate what you described. I will continue to look for the source of the problem. (you may want to try downloading a nightly build and seeing if the problem still exists.)

Thanks for the DMA guide. I set it up, restarted, but it didn't change anything. As for my os, I'm running Windows XP Pro SP2, but I had the same problem with SP1. Thanks for all your help, I hope you can find something.