Blocky/pixelated video in Windows 7

[slammo]

Hello everyone,

I'm at a loss here. Any suggestions appreciated.


Problem

I just set up a new build, and video playback ONLY is very low quality. DVD, avi, mkv, Youtube all see the problem. Video of any kind is blocky w/ occasional tearing.
Games and images display flawlessly - Vantagemark and Bioshock look perfect. No problems otherwise.


Equipment

Windows 7 Pro 64bit
Radeon 6870
Asus monitor, via HDMI

Phenom II x4
Asrock 890fx Deluxe4
Corsair 850watt
8 gig Mushkin


What I have tried

- Installed Catalyst 10.10e hotfix (latest recommended for my card)
- Updated directx, flash, all windows updates
- Played in WMP 12, noticed the issue

- Installed ffdshow, MPC home cinema
- Tried every output filter in MPC
- Tried toggling internal filter options

- Intalled VLC
- Tried every output option in VLC

- Uninstalled Catalyst, driver sweeper in Safe Mode, reinstalled 10.10e

- Tried another monitor
- Tried hooking laptop (XP installed) to current monitor (no display issues w/ same files)
- Tried switching HDMI cable
- Tried DVI cable

- Reseated video card
- Clean install of Windows 7, installed 10.10e drivers again
- Installed Shark007 codec pack, set to recommended settings


And it persists. I have no idea what to do, aside from trying to RMA the card. I don't have much confidence in that though, since games display perfectly, along with everything aside from video.
I also don't have much hope for Catalyst 10.12, since I don't see much evidence of this problem on Google.

Apparently this was a reasonably common problem on Windows 7 (per google) in early to mid '09, but not since then.


Should I return the card, or what?? Wait for new drivers? Help!!!
Any help is appreciated!

 

[parabellum]

Post some screenshots.

 

[slammo]

Hello,

Screengrabs don't fully represent the issue, but:

These are from the "wildlife" sample video found in the default Videos folder of Windows 7:
http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/7315/wildlifewmvsnapshot0001.jpg
http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/624/wildlifewmvsnapshot0002.jpg


Thanks for taking the time.

 

[parabellum]

I can't see anything wrong with that - can you try resetting your monitor to the standard setting and then enter calibrate into the display menu to see if you can adjust the picture.

 

[slammo]

Hello,

The problem is more obvious in motion, but I think there's some evidence in those screengrabs. Maybe the most obvious example is where the sky meets the ocean, and the top 'layer' of ocean.

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried reverting my monitor to the default, and fiddling with the settings. No luck. I have also run the computer through a different monitor (one that I've previously had no issues with) and the problem persisted.

Thanks again.

 

[parabellum]

I'm out of ideas. If you have a spare card, try that. Otherwise try switching to a DVI cable. I'd wait until the 10.12 drivers which will have "proper" support for the 6870.

 

[slammo]

OK - I appreciate the response.

I tried a DVI cable, no luck. I guess I'm going to have to RMA the card and cross my fingers for 10.12, unless anyone has any other ideas.


Thanks again.

 

[slammo]

I appreciate the response.

I tried a DVI cable, but no luck. I guess I'm going to have to RMA the card and cross my fingers for 10.12, unless anyone has any other ideas.


Thanks again.

 

[Shark007]

2 things. . .

1st, try installing THIS DIRECTX update. test your files . . .

2ndly, if you have disabled UAC, uninstall the Shark007 codecs (there is a button on the Help TAB),
re-instate UAC to default, reboot your system, re-install the Shark007 software.

 

[TDSlam]

I have the same issue, seems many other people do as well with no resolve. I just built a new rig , and was very excited about it, but this issue on windows 7 is souring my experience. I tried different video cards same thing. Updated BIOS, reinstalled windows same thing. I'm to the point where I'm probably going to go back to XP and dual boot into 7 if I want to play games.