Software Alternative to VLC?

[Noto]

Basically my sister has an ancient laptop. and VLC watching AVIs will not even run smoothly. as the CPU goes to 100% usage.

Is there a software alternative to VLC that takes some pressure off her CPU?

Thanks in advance

 

[Noto]

Hmmm..would be interested in this as well, as VLC is one of the lightest players around.

Have you tried with an older version of it? Say the 0.8 series?

good shout... ill give it a shot as i found the older versions much better at fastforwarding

 

[Noto]

this is what I use and find it much fast and better at decoding than VLC

http://www.free-codecs.com/k_lite_Codec_Pack_download.htm

so you use the codecs + media player classic? "home cinema" version right?

i assume the codecs take some load off the CPU?

hopefully this will be better as her CPU is 100% at and cant play avi's without stuttering.