Still having this problem.
Anyone else replicate this?
I uninstalled the nvidia drivers, rebooted, reinstalled via windows update and still same issue.
This is how it happens:
1. Close laptop lid, screen replicates to Sharp tv via hdmi connection
2. Press start/go on my mce remote
3. click watch dvd option
4. blank output, nothing happens
however, if I open my laptop lid, the dvd starts playing. If I close it, it stops playing. Some kind of conflict, and yet it was working fine most of the time. I did not modify anything on the o/s at all either, which is even more strange.