Solved WMP12 and Zune - video playback issue, please help

[Hiker Guy]

I really could use some help here....

I started a previous thread a few days ago, and since then have tried a number of things, all to no avail.

System is a Win 7 64 bit.

In short, a problem is affecting both WMP12 and Zune. (I thought this was a WMP12 only issue, but it affects Zune as well) Videos played back using FLV, regardless of type, are fine. Videos played on my Zune player are fine.

Same Videos played on WMP12 and on Zune are extremely dark red, unrecognizable.

Since I first noticed this, I have uninstalled WMP12 and Zune (removed programs, removed folders, ran a registry cleaner, etc.), and then reinstalled, ran a WMP troubleshooter (no issues found), ran sfc /scannow , reregistered the Jscript.dll and Vbscript.dll files, performed countless web searches for a description of a similar issue, no joy. Took this as an opportunity to update Motherboard drivers, video card drivers, monitor drivers, etc.

Did install Shark007 codecs, but may take them back off, didn't seem to help.

Running out of ideas here, gang.

Thoughts?

 

[mitchell65]

I'm confised here:
you said

In short, a problem is affecting both WMP12 and Zune. Videos played back using FLV, regardless of type, are fine. Videos played on my Zune player are fine.

Then you said:

Same Videos played on WMP12 and on Zune are extremely dark red, unrecognizable.

So have we three players here? The top quote says ideos played on Zune and fine but second quote says Same videos played on Zune are dark red!

 

[Hiker Guy]

Zune and WMP12

Apologies for the confusion. To clarify the apparent conflict:

On my desktop computer, I have WMP12 (as part of Windows 7 64 bit), and also "Desktop Zune", as a software program. This "Desktop Zune" package supports my mobile portable player, a Zune HD. I don't use the Desktop Zune for playing videos usually, but you could.

So, on my desktop, I have the exact same issue: the playback of videos on either the Desktop Zune application, or within WMP12, both have a video portion that is heavily red, dark, and unrecognizable. In truth, you cannot even recognize what is really playing from the video portion. (It is not as if the contrast is set strange....I believe I set all of them to the default values) Essentially blurs of light occasionally in the dark playback. The audio portion is fine, however.

My portable Zune HD player, once I download the exact same file (MP4) to it, plays the same video just fine.

The other video software I use is an FLV player, and that is on my desktop. That works fine. Youtube and other video services that I use (not that many) seem to be fine as well.

I really am confused on this one. Appreciate your thoughts.

 

[mitchell65]

OK Think I have got it now. Lets forget the stand alone portable player. Now we have 3 players on the PC. One (The FLV Player) plays the video OK the other two (WMP and Zune) have the fault.
I would guess that when you installed the FLV Player software it contained a codec that conflicts with the other two players. If the FLV player plays all your videos OK I would just make that the default player and forget the other two. If you don'd want to do that, then try restoring you system back to a point before you installed the FLV player or if you can't do that try uninstalling the FLV player completely including the registry and see if the other two players work!
I assume you have the latest drivers for your video card. BTW the number against your ideo card in your system specs is not very helpful. The make and model might be useful info here!

 

[Hiker Guy]

OK Think I have got it now. ...I would guess that when you installed the FLV Player software it contained a codec that conflicts with the other two players.

Not really. The FLV player was installed after the WMP12 issue. I have just removed it, and still no joy.

I assume you have the latest drivers for your video card. BTW the number against your ideo card in your system specs is not very helpful. The make and model might be useful info here!

I do have the latest drivers for the ATI Radeon HD 4800 series card.

 

[Hiker Guy]

If the FLV player plays all your videos OK I would just make that the default player and forget the other two. !

While I could possibly live without WMP12, I believe I need Zune to work, to keep my portable Zune HD happy.

And, it just doesn't make sense why these systems stopped working. This can't be totally unique to my system alone, but have been unable to find other references to this type of issue.


Where is a MS Windows engineer when you need one? Would even be willing to call MS to help figure this out, but I believe I would end up with a Tier 1 support person, with no real solution offered.

 

[mitchell65]

Well I have never even heard of a Zune HD before reading this thread as I don't use any sort of mobile device. I can only suggest that you wait for some more knowledgeable member to help you here or you might find a Zune Forum. This may be helpful:
The Zune User Community Forumsa

 

[Sardonicus]

You say you're downloading these files. Are the files downloaded from the same site?

 

[mckillwashere]

Mate you say the files look fine while they are played off the zune itself correct?

If so Just use VLC to play your videos on the Pc and just use the zune software for music and syncing. I personally have found the Zune Software video function rather clunky.

 

[Hiker Guy]

Mate you say the files look fine while they are played off the zune itself correct?

That is correct.

If so Just use VLC to play your videos on the Pc and just use the zune software for music and syncing. I personally have found the Zune Software video function rather clunky.

I agree with your assessment of the Zune software. As the problem is with both WMP12 and Zune, I am starting to think this is a codec related issue, as I am unaware of a "single" setting that would affect both programs.

In another thread here I said the following, which preceded the issue with WMP12 and Zune (I think it preceded it, anyway...):

The only "strange" thing I have done is when downloading a file to upgrade my camera software, it was in a VLC format. I thought I had to download a VLC player, and there were some configuration screens that tried to associate everything with the VLC player. Turns out that I didn't have to do that, and my camera recognized the file and finally got it uploaded to my camera fine. Removed the VLC player.

Probably unrelated to this video playback issue with WMP12, but it puts a caution in my springs.

By the way, I did run /sfc scannow and that did not fix the issue either.

Willing to purchase a really great software player that solves all the issues.

 

[Hiker Guy]

Solved

I had another thread that addressed a different aspect of this, but the final resolution was the same.

This is what I think happened. Somewhere along the line, an option for ASUS Splendid was introduced into my system. I only seem to be able to access this via a right click on the desktop.

Never have used it or even noticed it before. But, I did update drivers some time ago, so perhaps that was it.

Anyhow, this was set to "Vivid". Someone suggested looking at the options for display if I right clicked the desktop. I disabled this option, and suddenly, WMP12 started working!

I am sure it was the same problem for Zune, but I have since unloaded that from my system.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Turns out to be a simple fix, and not catching it right after some driver updates, causing confusion on this end.

Cheers,