Playback stutters when winamp was just started
 

Hi,

I've noticed that winamp playback (wired and BT) stutters or pops frequently for the first, say 20 minutes or so. I suspect this has to do with resource contention as winamp is discovering audio files while trying to decode the current file.

My phone is pretty modest, a Motorola Defy XT. The stuttering happens even when the phone is in airplane mode so it's not like internet activity is causing this. I'm pretty sure it's related to WA trying to discover the current data set because there are a spinner icons in several places.

My suggestions:

- prioritize playback over everything. EVERYTHING. WA appears to be multi threaded but make sure playback has the highest priority.
- cache your dataset and only rediscover if the SD card has been updated. I suspect Android can tell you when this last happened but I'm not sure.
- if the previous option is not viable allow users to disable automatic library updates. I know when I've added music so I can tell WA to discover. I'll wait with music playing in the meantime if WA can't handle both at the same time. This is how it worked on my Nokia 5800. On quad core tablets and phones I'm sure this resource issue does not occur but not everyone has such a fast machine.

I really like WA and it sure is better than the stock players that came on my phone but this stuttering and halting is really distracting. When I fly I have to turn my phone off so it's not like I can always leave WA running. Besides, WA fully exits when it's not being used which I actually consider a good thing. Only problem is that it then has to re-discover all music again. This makes it impossible to use for a 10 minute drive to lunch.

Thanks,

Sander