The VideoLAN Forums

Hi,

This is my setup:
P4 3.0 GHZ
3 GIG ram
Sapphire Radeon 9600 XT 256MB DDR AGP
2 monitors
Dell UltraSharp 2005FPW 20.1-inch Wide
Samsung syncmaster 750s

I have all the necessary codecs (xvid 1.1 and acfilter) for the files that I want to play.

The problem is when I try to play any movies with VLC 0.8. 4a I just can see a grey screen (no problem with sound) and doesn't matter if is avi, mpeg or wmv.

When I use windows media player I don't have any problem.

I beleive that's something to do with VLC and my monitor dell because when I try to use the VLC on my other monitor (syncmaster) it's ok and I know that my monitor Dell doesn't have any problem because when I use the windows media player it's fine but I would like to use VLC.

The resolution on my dell is 1680x1050x32 60 Hz.

I also have the latest driver for my video card.

Do you guys have any possible ideas what I could do to fix this problem?

Thanks in advance,
Alex.

VLC is a stand alone player that uses its own libraries to decode media files it does not use Direct Show.

It might be best to create a new shortcut with no options or nothing after C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe assuming the default directory. The Start in: for the shortcut is: C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC In this way when you set preferences the shortcut will not override the settings.

Now this might be as easy as setting the monitor preference in Preferences, Video, Output Modules, DirectX and press Refresh list then from the pull down select your monitor. It should show up as \\.\DISPLAY1 and \\.\DISPLAY2 being Primary and Secondary display respectively. According to the way Windows has locked them. If this does not work Windows has not locked them and you will need to go check it. Don't forget to press Save when changing the Preferences.

It may also be wise if you have been playing with this for a while to reset your preferences before starting:

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.

Assuming you have chosen the secondary monitor the defaults should leave you with the controls on the primary monitor and the video on the secondary monitor. You can set the preferences to start in full screen mode. Preferences, Video then check the box marked Full screen video output then press Save and close the player.

Hi dj,

Thanks for the advices but none of them worked.

But I beleive I found where is the problem. If I go to display properties (right click on the desktop) ang go to settings and advance and turn off the hardware accelaration it works fine.

The only problem it's a pain to do that every time that I want to use the player.

Do you have any other idea that can resolve this problem?

Thanks in advance

Preferences, video and uncheck the box marked "Overlay video output".

I thought about this one when I finished my last post. But it generally indicates a communications problem between DirectX and your Video Card's Drivers. The last update for DirectX was I believe in Dec 05 and I have not checked it out yet. My last update was Oct 05. But it can also be the drivers for the video card.

Thanks dj for the reply

I'm not gonna be able to try this until sunday (travelling) but as soon as I try I will tell you if it works

thanks in advance

oh really?

Hi Dj

You are a genius thx very much

works like a charm!!!!