Video is black and white on T42

[noetus]

Often I can only get black and white video from video players, e.g. RealPlayer, WinDVD, PowerDVD, Windows Media Player. They are not all equally susceptible, and sometimes I can get only black and white on one player while I get colour on the other. Sometimes rebooting helps. Is this a video card issue?

[dr_st]

Most likely an improper codec setup. I like the K-Lite Mega Code Pack myself. Usually it allows me to play all media files in all media players with no issues.

[Ashiaveli]

www.videolan.org

open source, free, no codecs needed, plays EVERYTHING.

[dr_st]

plays EVERYTHING.

NO, it doesn't.

[noetus]

I'm going to check out my entire codec situation. I installed a bunch of different DVD and video players, plus tools for converting between different video formats, plus most recently an AverMedia PCMCIA card with software which turns my laptop into a TV and radio receiver... all without thinking about codecs at all! Most likely that IS the problem, so I will have to sort it out....

[noetus]

Well, I installed K-Lite, with no effect. And the problems aren't just black and white playback. I have problems getting video at all when playing a DVD in full screen mode - it's just a blank screen. And with WinDVD, there is just a pink screen, whether in full-screen mode or not, it's the same.

[laz]

Have you tried reinstalling your video drivers? Could give the Omega drivers a try too.

[dr_st]

Messy...

I might have tried to cure it the old fashion way:

* Remove everything - video codecs, video players, video drivers
* Install video drivers
* Install video codecs
* See if stuff work
* Install video players of your choice