The VideoLAN Forums

I have a lil problem, when I try to play some .avi files I get great sound but no picture, or rather a black screen...
After looking through the forum I found out that I'm not the only one with this problem, atleast 5 other ppl have reported the same thing and they have gotten 0 answers.
So does anyone know what this have to do with?
I'm using Win XP pro SP2 and VLC 8.4a.
I reseted all the changed I might have done to the VLC and still dosent play the damn movie.
I hope you guys fixe this lil problem.

Have you tried disable Overlay video output?

This works. Thx Mate

Considering this worked for you. Your video card's drivers or DirectX needs updating!

This method puts more weight on your CPU and you may encounter problems with some files in the future.

I have the same problem and turning the overlay video output off has not worked.

My computer is a 2.0 GHz Toshiba laptop with 1 GB of ram and 128 MB of Nvidia video memory, resolution 1440x900 in 32 bit colour. It's 6 months old so I don't think any drivers are out of date.

DirectX is up to date and showed no problems when I ran the diagnostic.

VLC version vlc-0.8.5-svn-20060115-0000-win32.exe, but I had the same problem with 0.8.4a vlc-0.8.4a-win32.exe.

The file in question runs in Windows Media Player 10 and DivX player.

Messages log:
main warning: late picture skipped (30646110639)
main warning: late picture skipped (30646111049)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30646221355)
main warning: late picture skipped (30646221804)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30646314617)
main warning: late picture skipped (30646315032)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30646424148)
main warning: late picture skipped (30646424558)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30646518209)
main warning: late picture skipped (30646519879)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main debug: decoded 7/103 pictures
main warning: late picture skipped (30646613078)
main warning: late picture skipped (30646614340)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30646721109)
main warning: late picture skipped (30646721527)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30646815134)
main warning: late picture skipped (30646815531)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30646923948)
main warning: late picture skipped (30646924351)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30647019825)
main warning: late picture skipped (30647020210)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30647112027)
main warning: late picture skipped (30647112444)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30647221057)
main warning: late picture skipped (30647221765)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30647315503)
main warning: late picture skipped (30647315956)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30647423262)
main warning: late picture skipped (30647423674)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30647516879)
main warning: late picture skipped (30647517291)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30647625815)
main warning: late picture skipped (30647626233)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30647718926)
main warning: late picture skipped (30647719539)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30647828902)
main warning: late picture skipped (30647829313)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30647923531)
main warning: late picture skipped (30647923942)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30648016276)
main warning: late picture skipped (30648016681)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30648125595)
main warning: late picture skipped (30648125996)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30648222558)
main warning: late picture skipped (30648223025)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30648313327)
main warning: late picture skipped (30648313745)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30648424652)
main warning: late picture skipped (30648425072)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30648516970)
main warning: late picture skipped (30648517595)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30648625563)
main warning: late picture skipped (30648625981)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30648718928)
main warning: late picture skipped (30648719342)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30648828934)
main warning: late picture skipped (30648829698)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30648921912)
main warning: late picture skipped (30648922321)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30649016895)
main warning: late picture skipped (30649017306)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30649125607)
main warning: late picture skipped (30649126018)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30649220060)
main warning: late picture skipped (30649220468)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30649328952)
main warning: late picture skipped (30649329357)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30649422881)
main warning: late picture skipped (30649423537)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30649517845)
main warning: late picture skipped (30649518260)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30649625398)
main warning: late picture skipped (30649625814)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30649720603)
main warning: late picture skipped (30649721016)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30649829358)
main warning: late picture skipped (30649829774)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30649922543)
main warning: late picture skipped (30649922955)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30650017597)
main warning: late picture skipped (30650018002)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main debug: decoded 7/105 pictures
main warning: late picture skipped (30650125022)
main warning: late picture skipped (30650125619)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30650219837)
main warning: late picture skipped (30650220446)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30650328223)
main warning: late picture skipped (30650328920)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30650422328)
main warning: late picture skipped (30650422726)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30650533020)
main warning: late picture skipped (30650533624)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30650625978)
main warning: late picture skipped (30650626394)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30650719383)
main warning: late picture skipped (30650719800)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30650829421)
main warning: late picture skipped (30650829834)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30650922292)
main warning: late picture skipped (30650922711)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30651031804)
main warning: late picture skipped (30651032214)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30651127462)
main warning: late picture skipped (30651127881)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30651220673)
main warning: late picture skipped (30651221239)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30651329774)
main warning: late picture skipped (30651330184)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30651423173)
main warning: late picture skipped (30651423583)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30651534257)
main warning: late picture skipped (30651534666)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30651627055)
main warning: late picture skipped (30651628329)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30651721748)
main warning: late picture skipped (30651722159)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30651830662)
main warning: late picture skipped (30651831076)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30651924062)
main warning: late picture skipped (30651924485)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30652017201)
main warning: late picture skipped (30652017617)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30652127872)
main warning: late picture skipped (30652128283)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30652219982)
main warning: late picture skipped (30652220390)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30652330131)
main warning: late picture skipped (30652330546)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main debug: control type=0
main debug: control: stopping input
main debug: closing input
main debug: removing module "mpeg_audio"
main debug: thread times: real 0m9.531250s, kernel 0m0.031250s, user 0m0.000000s
main debug: thread 4256 joined (src/input/decoder.c:191)
main debug: killing decoder fourcc `mpga', 0 PES in FIFO
main debug: removing module "mpgatofixed32"
main debug: removing module "bandlimited_resampler"
aout_directx debug: CloseAudio
main warning: late picture skipped (30652425716)
main warning: late picture skipped (30652426203)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
main warning: late picture skipped (30652517324)
main warning: late picture skipped (30652517726)
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
libmpeg2 warning: invalid picture encountered
aout_directx debug: DirectSoundThread exiting
main debug: thread times: real 0m9.484375s, kernel 0m0.000000s, user 0m0.000000s
main debug: thread 4796 joined (directx.c:600)
main debug: removing module "aout_directx"
main debug: removing module "float32tos16"
main debug: removing module "trivial_mixer"
main warning: late picture skipped (30652637190)
main warning: late picture skipped (30652637607)
main debug: removing module "libmpeg2"
main debug: thread times: real 0m9.750000s, kernel 0m0.031250s, user 0m0.000000s
main debug: thread 4260 joined (src/input/decoder.c:191)
main debug: killing decoder fourcc `mpgv', 6 PES in FIFO
main debug: Program doesn't contain anymore ES
main debug: removing module "ps"
main debug: removing module "access_file"
main debug: thread times: real 0m9.781250s, kernel 0m0.000000s, user 0m0.015625s
main debug: thread 4148 joined (src/input/input.c:392)
main debug: garbage collector destroying 1 vout
vout_directx debug: DirectXCloseSurface
vout_directx debug: DirectXCloseDisplay
vout_directx debug: DirectXCloseDisplay clipper
vout_directx debug: DirectXCloseDisplay display
vout_directx debug: DirectXCloseDDraw
vout_directx debug: CloseVideo
vout_directx debug: DirectXEventThread terminating
vout_directx debug: DirectXCloseWindow
vout_directx debug: WinProc WM_DESTROY
main debug: thread times: real 0m9.953125s, kernel 0m0.000000s, user 0m0.000000s
main debug: thread 4304 joined (directx.c:494)
main debug: removing module "vout_directx"
main debug: thread times: real 0m9.921875s, kernel 0m0.046875s, user 0m0.000000s
main debug: thread 4336 joined (src/video_output/video_output.c:460)
main debug: opening config file C:\Documents and Settings\My Qosmio\Application Data/vlc/vlcrc

Have you tried other file types??

Here are a few things you can try that should point in the correct direction to finding a resolve for your problem.

OK! Assuming that you have tried to reset the defaults or better yet erase the preferences directory. C:\Documents and Settings\Owner (this is you)\Application Data\VLC Erase VLC, Application Data is a hidden directory so you will need to make it visible. Reset can be accomplished external to VLC by going to Start Menu. Programs, VideoLAN and selecting the reset icon or internal to VLC through Miscellaneous, Preferences, reset. Then you must restart VLC.

You can try the following:

1. Open VLC, Be sure you are in the wxWidgets mode, from the Settings pull down check Extend GUI, on the video tab check enable and then restore defaults. Now try calling a file into VLC. If you have just reset VLC I would not suspect this one.

2. Some games store information by changing settings on your video card so it would be smart to reset your video card to its defaults for 3D, OpenGL and Overlay

3. change resolutions of your video card. If you are at 1024x768 for example go to 800x600.

4. Change color depths of your video card. If you are at 32 bit color try 24 bit or 16 bit.

5. Try shutting off the video acceleration inside VLC. Miscellaneous, Preferences, Video, untick the Overlay box and save. Now close VLC and restart. Then try to call a file, within VLC.

6. As a last resort, try opening VLC Miscellaneous, Preferences, Video, Output Modules and using the pull down to select "Windows GDI video output". Then save, restart VLC and try to call a file.

Most of these things are tests to try to expose your problem. So it is suggested to put things back the way it was if it had no change to your problem. Also always call a file into VLC to rule out a possible Windows interface problem.

"Have you tried other file types??"
- yes, no problem. The file I'm having trouble with is .mpg, but VLC works with other .mpg files.

"reset the defaults"
- done

"in the wxWidgets mode, from the Settings pull down check Extend GUI, on the video tab check enable and then restore defaults. Now try calling a file into VLC."
- didn't make any difference

"changing settings on your video card"
"change resolutions of your video card"
"Change color depths of your video card"
- not acceptable options.
Changing a laptop's native settings can create a whole new world of problems.

"untick the Overlay box"
- didn't make any difference

"select "Windows GDI video output""
- didn't make any difference

It's just one file, but I'm very curious as GSpot says the file is fine and WinAmp, Windows Media Player & DivX Player play it fine.

Considering it is just one file it is doubtful that it is a problem with VLC or your PC. It is probably the way the file was encoded.

Occasionally VLC is picky as it is a packet based player that can stream files. To do so effectively the files must meet the specifications for the format and file type.

Unfortunately you did not provide the first part of the Messages file to see what kind of MPEG file we are talking about. Considering the players you mentioned, probably an MPEG-1 file. If so this is the only file type out of the MPEG group that has become more picky starting with the 0.8.4 release of VLC.

According to GSpot, (which can successfully preview the file), type is MPEG-1 and it uses the MPEG1_Payload codec.

Thank you for your help. It would appear I have a problem with less than perfect encoding.[/b]