Ok, well that basically sums it up. If I use the 9.11 live cd, I can play back anything 720p. On Dharma, cpu goes straight to 100% and plays horribly when I start playing the same file. Its an optioplex 745, believe its a GMA3000.
I think you forgot to post your debug log.
I'm trying to, along with my other issue, after a reboot or two i get perma stuck in shell. have to reinstall...
Here is a debug log from 9.11 playing the same video, which plays extremely smooth.
http://pastebin.com/cBKwpXB3
I know the first pastebin is long, not sure what part was important. The movie I was trying to play was The BackUp Plan. I used the same movie on both versions.