diff --git a/croppa/main.py b/croppa/main.py
index 08ee802..65795b2 100644
--- a/croppa/main.py
+++ b/croppa/main.py
@@ -180,9 +180,32 @@ class VideoEditor:
             self.cap.release()
 
         self.video_path = video_path
-        self.cap = cv2.VideoCapture(str(self.video_path))
-
-        if not self.cap.isOpened():
+        
+        # Try different backends for better performance
+        # Order of preference: DirectShow (Windows), FFmpeg, any available
+        backends_to_try = []
+        if hasattr(cv2, 'CAP_DSHOW'):  # Windows DirectShow
+            backends_to_try.append(cv2.CAP_DSHOW)
+        if hasattr(cv2, 'CAP_FFMPEG'):  # FFmpeg
+            backends_to_try.append(cv2.CAP_FFMPEG)
+        backends_to_try.append(cv2.CAP_ANY)  # Fallback
+        
+        self.cap = None
+        for backend in backends_to_try:
+            try:
+                self.cap = cv2.VideoCapture(str(self.video_path), backend)
+                if self.cap.isOpened():
+                    # Optimize buffer settings for better performance
+                    self.cap.set(cv2.CAP_PROP_BUFFERSIZE, 1)  # Minimize buffer to reduce latency
+                    # Try to set hardware acceleration if available
+                    if hasattr(cv2, 'CAP_PROP_HW_ACCELERATION'):
+                        self.cap.set(cv2.CAP_PROP_HW_ACCELERATION, cv2.VIDEO_ACCELERATION_ANY)
+                    break
+                self.cap.release()
+            except:
+                continue
+        
+        if not self.cap or not self.cap.isOpened():
             raise ValueError(f"Could not open video file: {video_path}")
 
         # Video properties
@@ -191,6 +214,13 @@ class VideoEditor:
         self.frame_width = int(self.cap.get(cv2.CAP_PROP_FRAME_WIDTH))
         self.frame_height = int(self.cap.get(cv2.CAP_PROP_FRAME_HEIGHT))
 
+        # Get codec information for debugging
+        fourcc = int(self.cap.get(cv2.CAP_PROP_FOURCC))
+        codec = "".join([chr((fourcc >> 8 * i) & 0xFF) for i in range(4)])
+        
+        # Get backend information
+        backend = self.cap.getBackendName()
+
         # Reset playback state for new video
         self.current_frame = 0
         self.is_playing = False
@@ -212,6 +242,16 @@ class VideoEditor:
         print(
             f"Loaded video: {self.video_path.name} ({self.current_video_index + 1}/{len(self.video_files)})"
         )
+        print(f"  Codec: {codec} | Backend: {backend} | Resolution: {self.frame_width}x{self.frame_height}")
+        print(f"  FPS: {self.fps:.2f} | Frames: {self.total_frames} | Duration: {self.total_frames/self.fps:.1f}s")
+        
+        # Performance warning for known problematic cases
+        if codec in ['H264', 'H.264', 'AVC1', 'avc1'] and self.total_frames > 10000:
+            print(f"  Warning: Large H.264 video detected - seeking may be slow")
+        if self.frame_width * self.frame_height > 1920 * 1080:
+            print(f"  Warning: High resolution video - decoding may be slow")
+        if self.fps > 60:
+            print(f"  Warning: High framerate video - may impact playback smoothness")
 
     def switch_to_video(self, index: int):
         """Switch to a specific video by index"""
@@ -271,15 +311,23 @@ class VideoEditor:
         self.load_current_frame()
 
     def advance_frame(self) -> bool:
-        """Advance to next frame"""
+        """Advance to next frame - optimized to avoid seeking"""
         if not self.is_playing:
             return True
 
         self.current_frame += 1
         if self.current_frame >= self.total_frames:
-            self.current_frame = 0  # Loop
+            self.current_frame = 0  # Loop - this will require a seek
+            return self.load_current_frame()
 
-        return self.load_current_frame()
+        # For sequential playback, just read the next frame without seeking
+        ret, frame = self.cap.read()
+        if ret:
+            self.current_display_frame = frame
+            return True
+        else:
+            # If sequential read failed, fall back to seeking (might be end of file or codec issue)
+            return self.load_current_frame()
 
     def apply_crop_zoom_and_rotation(self, frame):
         """Apply current crop, zoom, rotation, and brightness/contrast settings to frame"""
@@ -1245,6 +1293,7 @@ class VideoEditor:
         self.load_current_frame()
 
         while True:
+            # Only update display if needed
             self.display_current_frame()
 
             delay = self.calculate_frame_delay() if self.is_playing else 30
@@ -1355,7 +1404,6 @@ class VideoEditor:
                 print(f"Contracted crop from left by {self.crop_size_step}px")
             
 
-
             # Auto advance frame when playing
             if self.is_playing:
                 self.advance_frame()