SoundAPP plays back mp3 and other files much smoother than QT4 does. Also, there's still nothing quicktime does to counteract intermittent spikes..either from too much data or hiccups from the drive. If it hits one it just clunks the whole rest of the movie.

I was guessing it would have something to do with processor time and cooperative multitasking, but I tried quitting the Finder (and every other app) and it still wasn't as good as Vamp. I think the app is just too processor-intensive to do mp3's without a fast, fast processor (I only have a 250MHz 603e).

I have a 366mhz G3 processor, also with choppy play of mp3's.. about every 3 seconds (the timing seems to be consistent) I believe, it makes an annoying click-like noise. All of the other file format's I've used (wav, mov, midi, jpg) run beautifully. It must be a bug.
I use MacAMP 1.0b7, which plays mp3's flawlessly. I recommend it to anyone who's having this problem, until Apple resolves this minor *BETA* bug.

I don't know about anyone else's experiences with MP3 conversion but I used a 3.9MB MP3 file without any problems. It was smooth and of high quality and I have QuickTime 4.0b21.

I've only experienced staticy playback from a 7100/80 with MP3's. I've tested MP3 playback on machines down to a 5200/75LC and have found it excellent. Of course, I wasn't trying to run anything but Netscape and the player. To the best of my knowledge Mp3 capability was ONLY added with THIS beta b21. So obviously support will be sketchy, this IS a BETA. Expect speed and support improvements in the future.

Yours,
Justin