Playing Video (DVD,AVI) output through SVHS--no picture?

[TheGeek]

I've tried to find an answer to this on the web, either its so simple that no-one explains it, or it can't be done..
When I hook my T42 with the Radeon 9600 card to my TV using the SVHS out, I get my desktop, games, etc. just fine. but if I try a video, I get only the sound.
Can somebody help???

thanks

[GomJabbar]

Yes, I ran into the same problem with my T42. Apparently it is the fault of InterVideo WinDVD. I believe IBM shipped a 'lite' version of the software that does not allow TV out. Probably if you upgraded to the full version, it would work fine. I had a copy of CyberLink's PowerDVD laying around, so I have been using it without a hitch. It outputs to TV no problem. The TV I was connecting to had only a RCA input jack, so I bought a S-Video to RCA adapter cable from Radio Shack, and it works fine. I did have to buy a headphone to RCA adapter as well - for the sound.

[TheGeek]

Well, I uninstalled WinDVD, installed PowerDVD 6 deluxe and it's still the same problem. Also, this occurs on AVIs, MPEGs as well, that has nothing (I suppose) to do with the DVD player.
Any more help??

[GomJabbar]

It's been awhile since I've done it, so I forgot to mention this step as well. Go to: Start > All Programs > Access IBM > ThinkPad Configuration. In the upper left hand corner, under where it says 'Device Configuration', you should see 5 icons. Each icon represents different combinations of LCD, TV-Out, & External Monitor. Choose either 'TV only' or 'Both LCD and TV'. Hopefully it will work now.

[TheGeek]

Thanks for the help but all that does is get the out put to the tv which works fine. I can play games to the tv screen, surf the web, run apps, but any video viewer window like media player or powerdvd simply shows a black screen with sound.

[GomJabbar]

I am assuming you are using the same S-Video cable for viewing games and video.

I am at a little bit of a loss to the answer to your problem, so here are a couple of shots in the dark. I have the T42 with the Radeon 9000, and I would think they would work simularly. You might try uninstalling the video driver, then reinstalling with the latest version. You could make sure that your BIOS version is up to date (I am using the next to the latest version 3.15). You could try changing the video hardware acceleration value. Lastly make sure that Presentation Director is not causing the problem. I've read in this forum of people having simular problems with Presentation Director. I don't use it, at least not that I am aware of.

[matyst]

Try to make the TV a primary display - right click on desktop - Properties - Settings - Advanced - Displays and click on a blue box with two circles, click Apply - you will see the film on your TV then, while it won't be shown on the LCD.
Or you can activate thater mode in Overlay - Theater Mode - you will see the full-screen film on your TV then.

[msafi]

Try to make the TV a primary display - right click on desktop - Properties - Settings - Advanced - Displays and click on a blue box with two circles, click Apply - you will see the film on your TV then, while it won't be shown on the LCD.
Or you can activate thater mode in Overlay - Theater Mode - you will see the full-screen film on your TV then.

exactly, that's what solved this problem for me.

[TheGeek]

Thanks, that got it for me too!
Finally, after 3 months of fiddling with IBMs built in features!

ps. I just added the pcmcia notebook version of the soundblaster audigy2 to my T42 and the difference is AMAZING (and FutureShop cleared it out at only 74$ CDN so it was cheap too!)

[msafi]

remember that in some ATI cards you can save profiles, too.

so next time just create a profile for when you wanna display on the tv screen.