Netflix audio/video stuttering

Question

Hardware Overview:
  Model Name:          MacBook
  Model Identifier:          MacBook2,1
  Processor Name:          Intel Core 2 Duo
  Processor Speed:          2 GHz
  Number Of Processors:          1
  Total Number Of Cores:          2
  L2 Cache:          4 MB
  Memory:          2 GB
  Bus Speed:          667 MHz
  Boot ROM Version:          MB21.00A5.B07
  SMC Version (system):          1.17f0
System Software Overview:
  System Version:          Mac OS X 10.5.8 (9L31a)
  Kernel Version:          Darwin 9.8.0
  Boot Volume:          Macintosh HD
  Boot Mode:          Normal
So I've had this issue with streaming Netflix Instant play videos on 3 different browsers: Safari, Firefox, and Chrome. Streaming works well for a variable amount of time, from 1 minute to 10 minutes. Then, the playback gets choppy and the audio stutters. During this time, when I try to move the cursor there is a significant delay. It's as if my computer is too slow to handle the streaming. But everything else from youtube to hulu works fine.
I've been told by Netflix that this problem is processor related. Everytime I'm streaming, their statistics are showing that my processes are eating up 90+% of the CPU. When I go to Activity Monitor, I see Silverlight plugin (which is what Netflix unfortunately streams through) is the only thing that's causing the high usage.
Netflix has said I should uninstall Silverlight 3 and run an older version. Did that...no success.
Then, they said I should defrag my hard drive but did not give me specifics on how to do it. So when I googled it, I pretty much came to the conclusion that a Mac does not need to be defragged, and even if I did it, the results will be miniscule. So I'm not gonna throw away $20-$40 to buy some stupid 3rd party defrag tool when I don't need it.
So I've come to you, Mac community. What do you think I should do now to fix my choppy audio/video problem?

Answer 1

this is not a laptop or browser issue. this is an issue that has gained noterity and popularity just as of recent with silverlight and netflix. this has been an issue for numerous people, all of which have been using various different browsers, hardware, isps, and operating systems. netflix has claimed ignorance despite multiple complaints from discontent users and proprietors of the company. wootinany, the only effective method of fixing this streaming problem that the anyone has been able to figure out, (since netflix nor silverlight seem to be doing a **** thing about it) is changing the buffering rate of the video you are watching. you can do this by holding shift+alt, Shift+Option(Alt) clicking, then clicking stream manager and selecting manual selection and changing it from the default option of 1050 to a lower buffering rate. this seems to be working for most people but not all. since there is no way to save this preference, unfortunately you must select your buffering rate every single time you start a new movie. if this doesnt work try deleting your facebook account and mailing tons of money and/or drugs to 1375 williams st. #102 denver CO. and upon reception of said comodities i will send you an email of thanks and say a meditative mantra in hopes that your problem will be fixed which will hopefully do something. its worth a try. preffered drugs include in this order, heroin, marijuana, cocaine, any form of psychedelic(preferreably DMT) and heroin. send any of these and i will say the mantra to fix your problem. again, wootinany.