VLC hanging when switching files

[eeexplicit]

Fedora 12 here.

VLC was working well until recently. VLC seems to freeze the video/file for 5 secs whenever I either press stop or select another file. The problem occurs whenever I press stop, select a different video on the playlist, or just double click on another video or music file. I've been using VLC for years and have never encountered this problem. I am used to the file playing instantly after I select it.

Has anyone else encountered this?