Music is choppy when listening on iTunes

[3 Justin 3]

This is really starting to piss me off, if I'm lucky I get 10 seconds where the song actually plays. I have no idea why it is doing it. Choppy/cuts out briefly, pauses (sometimes not usually).

Could it be my external HDD (where my iTunes folder is located)? I've been using it for years and never had any problems, it just started to do this a couple days ago.

Please, any help?

I've googled it and either the information is 6 years old, or not answered.

[DownhillGoat]

Using airplay or local speakers?

[3 Justin 3]

USB speakers.

[SebC]

If you suspect it's your HDD, try moving some files to a different location.

[Rathji]

Further to what Seb suggested, try playing the files with another player from their current location.

Between the 2 tests it should be able to eliminate itunes and/or your HDD as the issue.

[Ozy_Flame]

Are you trying to play from iCloud? Is your internet connection fast and stable?

[afc wimbledon]

itunes sucks, probably has nothing to do with your problem but needed to be said none the less.

[J Diddy]

Running the latest audio drivers?

[GoinAllTheWay]

I've noticed with each update iTunes does, it becomes a worse program to use. When I launch it these days, it takes much longer to load than usual and freezes temporarily quite a bit. If a complete uninstall/reinstall doesn't fix it, I think I'll look for a new music player.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

I've noticed with each update iTunes does, it becomes a worse program to use. When I launch it these days, it takes much longer to load than usual and freezes temporarily quite a bit. If a complete uninstall/reinstall doesn't fix it, I think I'll look for a new music player.

I get the same problems now. iTunes seems to be a resource hog much more with every update, and their syncing procedure with devices seems to still be dicey at best. Also, if you use iTunes Match and iCloud, it becomes extremely confusing as to what is sitting on the cloud and what isn't.

I'm going to move away from iTunes ASAP and take my music library with me.

[Mazrim]

I had the same skipping/stopping problems with iTunes a few versions ago already, so I just use Winamp to listen to music now. My G15 keyboard actually behaves with Winamp anyway for controlling music, so it's better this way. iTunes is just my podcast aggregator and iPod updater now.

[REDVAN]

Is there a way to update iPod/iPhone without using iTunes... if someone developed a second-party software that was usable that'd blow my sox off.

[Mazrim]

Originally Posted by REDVAN

Is there a way to update iPod/iPhone without using iTunes... if someone developed a second-party software that was usable that'd blow my sox off.

According to Winamp, it has "iPod Support: Play and manage music on your iPod" but I've never tried it myself.