This is a relatively recent issue with my laptop. The last time i recall watching a dvd on it was about a month and a half ago,

last night i came to watch a dvd, and it would produce a blank screen, but continue to play audio in both programs i usually watch dvds with (windows media player, and intervideoWinDVD) a friend recommended today that i download VLC, and i had exactly the same issue with that.

Any ideas on what settings might have changed, possibly me inadvertantly changing things myself. Its driving me mad!

Hello atatw, welcome to PCHF.

Your problem is most likely a codec problem as apposed to the player itself. Try downloading the following codec pack: http://www.free-codecs.com/download_...hp?d=4523&s=95

During the installation, when it comes to selecting your components, scroll down to (i think) the 13th item down, and you'll see MPEG, DVD. Select this option and finish the installation of the Codec pack. Reboot your PC, and this should resolve your problem.

__________________

Links: myFavoritesHomepage, Submit your URL to cyberJuice USA / UK online shopping links and blogs

done it.. and it still hasnt worked

I found out last night that 4OD (which does use windows media player) would not play video either, but oddly enough it did play one advert.

But since i used the service 2 weeks ago, i can confirm that was when it was last working. The only thing i can think of that has changed since then, is that i am running my laptop off an external monitor, since my screen is currently broken.
Could this be effecting it?

i'm certain that using a different monitor will affect video playback

initially i would have thought a codec problem too.
have u tried using a different media player?
for example VLC - VLC media player - Overview
free program, and very good i find.

give it ago

yeah ive tried VLC and that wouldnt work either. Its really baffling me!

ek, YES!, that will be your problem! ..and here is why:

Depending on the video type, most video's use what we call "overlay". The technology that displays your desktop, and the technology used to display certain types of video (such as DVD) is seperate. In fact, not too many years ago, these two technologies were contained on two seperate cards, and you would have to plug your VGA connection from one card to another, and then another cable for your computer screen.

Overlay is where your graphics card will display a black area where your video should be. The video part is then overlayed on top of that black area (a similar concept to blue screen technology). With most laptops, and some PC's, you can only use this hardware on your primary monitor, in this case your laptop screen.

__________________

Links: myFavoritesHomepage, Submit your URL to cyberJuice USA / UK online shopping links and blogs

yea, the monitor was the only option left.
just been a while since i read about overlay lol..
good work madmonkey.

__________________

Oh BRILLIANT :o) thankyou so much. I am getting my laptop screen fixed next week so hopefully it will no longer be a problem! Very insightful too. While i was aware that the monitor was the only change, i had no idea how it could possibly affect it. Again, Thankyou

No problems atatw, will mark this one as Answered, but be sure to post back to confirm when everything is OK (as I'll still be subscribed to this thread).

__________________

Links: myFavoritesHomepage, Submit your URL to cyberJuice USA / UK online shopping links and blogs

Hey guys! I Have fixed my problem without even getting the screen repaired! I dug out my "quick start guide" and found out that if i press fn+f5 I can change the monitor set up, and have changed it from CRT/TFT to just CRT, and dvds are playing fine now :o)
My only hope is that i can change the settings back :o|

Thankyou for your help