Speakers horrible in Media Player but fine in VLC??

I have Windows XP SP3 on a Lenovo T61.

I use two media players. VLC (Portable) and Media Player Classic.

When I listen to a song with some bass in Media Player Classic or Media Player 11, the speakers sound like they are shot. Lots of static during the bass parts of songs. I thought I blew out my speakers. However, if I play the same song in VLC, it is fine. All the way to 100%.

I tried uninstalling the sound drivers in Windows but nothing changed. What is VLC doing right that Media Player is not? I looked at all the settings but nothing jumps out at me.

I have the K-Lite Codec Pack that I have also uninstalled and installed again.

 

Lighthammer, I don't whether this will help but what is the system sound card? Have you tried updating the drivers for the system? I had a similar problem with Win7 RC where the sound was scratchy and the answer was to visit AC'97 and get the necessary drivers. Neil.

 

I have tried re-installing the drivers from Lenovo. Everything was working fine for a year until I recently tried out VLC. I adjusted a setting past 100% volume and now the sound is very scratchy. It sounds like my speakers are blown.

I will do a reinstall. If that doesn't fix it, then I know that the speakers are shot.

 

Lighthamme, Has this problem just started or did it occur after a change or update. If not try going to a restore point before it occurred. Neil.

 

Check what "devices" the players are using (WMP -> Tools -> Options, VLC -> Settings -> Preferences).

Check the levels of Input/Output. The main controls for volume will be buttons on the laptop. Then there will be "devices ", right-click on the volume control in the Notification Tray. Then there will be volume controls in the media players.

Can you test using a set of external speakers or headphones/earphones?

Matt
PS If you make changes in the settings, make a note so that you can change it back later.