grey screen appears when playing all types of videos

[limitless]

when ever i want to watch a video i keep getting a grey screen
there is sound but no picture just a grey screen. Any ideas.
VLC is the best player and i dont want any other player.
(if there are any better then VLC can u please tell say what it is please)

[limitless]

P.S
i have already uninstalled and re-installed to see if that was the problem it wasnt. ANy help would be much appreciated

[The Dutchman]

Same problem here.

Some help would be nice =]

[Mimesis]

i think if you disable overlay video output in the advanced video setting your image will show.

I also have this problem and since my main use of vlc is to show overlay video (so i can see it through gaming programs etc) how could i go about fixing this issue so that overlay will display?

p.s. overlay mode works on some files and not on others (even of the same type)

[DJ]

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 (this is the default) 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. Settings, Preferences, Video, untick the "Overlay video output" box and save. Now close VLC and restart. Then try to call a file, within VLC.

6. As a last resort, try opening VLC Settings, 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.

Please note that if 5 or 6 works, it is probably time to update your video drivers and or DirectX. The last runtime version (I believe) was Feb. 06 and is not automatic nor is the version changed from 9c.

[Guest]

the same thing happened to me tonight -

opened an avi, played through the 1 hour of footage. as that avi closed, i then drag+dropped the second half avi, to play that. suddenly - grey screen. opened part 1 - grey screen.

:s

[DJ]

Reboot your machine.

[Guest]

thats the thing - once it grey-screens once, it doesnt go back to normal.

disabling video overlay worked, for the second part - however, even a reinstall didnt fix this problem :S

[DJ]

Excuse me but you are ranting and this is NOT very understandable.

If turning off the overlay option in VLC helped your problem the odds are very good that your video card's drivers need updating, except if you are using a secondary monitor. Uninstalling and reinstalling will reset the preferences and you will start over again.

If I'm not understanding your rant then you will need to be more clear.

Did rebooting help you or not?

[Machiavelli]

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

Thanks a lot man, this one worked and now VLC is working as smoothly as ever! great work, VLC is the best media planet on earth, thanks to everyone at who works on this project

[Latvian]

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

Thanks a lot man, this one worked and now VLC is working as smoothly as ever! great work, VLC is the best media planet on earth, thanks to everyone at who works on this project

For me to.. thanks you