The choppy video is due to the MacBook's shared video memory. Probably no way around it other than upgrading to an up-to-spec machine with a dedicated video memory.

I have the same computer as you and ordered a new MacBook Pro to run video.

I have a MacBook Pro not a MacBook...???

ATI Radeon X1600:

Chipset Model: ATY,RadeonX1600
Type: Display
Bus: PCIe
PCIe Lane Width: x16
VRAM (Total): 128 MB
Vendor: ATI (0x1002)
Device ID: 0x71c5
Revision ID: 0x0000

what are the specs on the video you're trying to play? high bit rate and high resolution might be a little processor intensive.

Its 3000kbs and 640 x 480 Res

i would try 2mpbs vbr for your system. that extra 1 mbp/s is probably too heavy for your processor. with 2mbps, there's less your cpu has to calculate and you probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference visually anyway.

So in handbrake....Type 2000 instead of 3000 and that should work?

i don't use handbrake, but give it a try and make sure it's set to VBR.

VBR for audio or video??

NM there is no option for either one

I just downloaded handbrake, it's the Avg Bitrate option you want to use. Not the Constant. Are you using the Serato preset? The preset uses 2mbps vbr/average.
I noticed the audio bitrate only goes up to 160kpbs, so that's a good reason for me not to use Handbrake.

can u post a screen shot of the settings I should use?? Thanks in advance.

Hi Deejay Z,

If you haven't seen it please check www.scratchlive.net for an article on using Handbrake. There are screen shots as well as a Handbrake preset to download (a Mac article also exists).