Hello,
I have read many threads about the issue of high CPU usage and poor playback in Flash. I recently began experiencing this problem after changing my ISP and have not read about what I have experienced in the past two weeks, so I’m contributing my experience in hope that it will help with a solution.
For several years I had been using Verizon as my ISP, getting 3 meg DSL service. Video quality in Flash on services like HBO GO had been excellent. CPU usage of Flash running in IE ranged from 15-30% playing to a 40 inch LED HDTV.
Increased bandwidth usage in my home from multiple new devices was creating various network performance issues so I decided to upgrade my internet service to the only option available in my area, which is Optonline from Cablevision. The speed of service increased from 3 meg to over 18 meg. This resulted in much better performance on my home network.
An unexpected result however has been a big decline in the quality of video streaming in Flash. With my new internet service the CPU usage of Flash runs to almost 100% and playback quality is very poor with constant stuttering and a frame rate dropping to less than 10 fps in HBO GO. I tried several of the suggestions in other posts, like turning off hardware acceleration, reducing CPU affinity, checking for upgraded drivers (none), running in Firefox instead of IE, etc. None of those helped.
The DSL service is still functioning, so I switched the network connection on my Netgear router (which also provides Wi-Fi to my other devices) back to the DSL modem. The playback quality of Flash was again excellent. Switching back to the cable modem results in very poor quality Flash playback and high CPU usage.
What could it be about the higher speed service that is causing the high CPU usage and poor playback quality of Flash? My computer is running Flash Player 11 ActiveX and Flash Player 11 Plugin version 11.7.700.224. I don't know if any of the following matters: also running Shockwave Player 12.0.2.122, graphics card is a GeForce GT 620, Direct X is version 11.
If there's more info I can provide while I still have the DSL service running please let me know.
Perhaps this will help to figure out the Flash problems people are having.
Andrew