WMC plays TV audio, but no video display (black screen)

[tocorolla]

Hello, I hope this is not a repeat question as I have checked and searched the forum thoroughly.

I have a problem playing live TV using Windows Media Player. I can select different TV channels without a problem. I can hear the audio clearly. However, i can not watch anything as it displays a black screen.

I originally used WinTV (version 7, with the newest updated driver and software) and works fine. For video card, I have a GTX260 with the latest version (295.73) installed. I've tried different versions of driver (259.xx to 285.xx) to no avail.

When I tried setting up the TV tuner it detects the tuner as Analog Cable (tuner 1) which I assume is the WinTV tuner.

Wondering if you have any tips or suggestions to try next?
thanks

 

[barnabas1969]

The latest stable driver is 290.53. The newer ones (including the latest WHQL release) either have the black screen problem with Media Center or the 29/59 flicker bug. Several of the older versions have these problems as well.

Go to nVidia's site, download the 290.53 beta driver, and when you install it... make sure to choose a "custom" install, then check the box that says "clean install". If you don't do a clean install, you will still have pieces of your old driver installed, and that could cause you the problems you're seeing.

 

[tocorolla]

Thanks barnabas1969. I tried what you suggested with 290.53 beta driver, and custom clean install, rebooted. It is still not showing tv display. Audio is good, no distortion whatsover. I can still change channels, but just no video display. Most of the drivers I tried were custom install so not sure if maybe some settings were not checked off somewhere?
thanks...

 

[barnabas1969]

Hmmm... that's strange. Is the "no video" problem only when you run Media Center, or even on the Windows desktop?

If it's only doing it in Media Center, then this version of the drivers should have fixed your problem. If it's doing it on the desktop, then you have a different problem.

 

[tocorolla]

I can use Windows Media Center to play DVD videos, mpeg/avi movies without a problem.
My tuner TV software that I installed (WinTV 7) is used to watch live TV with audio and video display. If I use WMC to watch live TV, I am only getting the audio to go through.

 

[barnabas1969]

I'm guessing that you have a Hauppauge tuner, correct? Hauppauge has different drivers, depending on whether you plan to use Media Center or WinTV. You need to install the Hauppauge drivers for Media Center if you want to use it to view TV with that tuner. Look on the Hauppauge website, click the "Support" tab, find your tuner card, and look at the top of the support page for that card for "Media Center Installation" or something similar.

 

[tocorolla]

Yes it is a Hauppauge tuner. I downloaded the WinTV version 7 which is the latest one. THe webpage said it included the WMC driver when you install it. However I tried what you suggested, still no luck :S

 

[barnabas1969]

Maybe you could try un-installing WinTV and the WMC driver, then re-install ONLY the WMC driver? I never installed WinTV as there is no need for it when you have WMC. Maybe WinTV causes a conflict? I'm just guessing here.

 

[tocorolla]

Still no luck.
I uninstalled WinTV and WMC. Reinstalled WMC only. Tried different NVIDIA drivers.

I'm about to try different cables or re sit the TV tuner and/or video card....but doesn't make any sense if I can view it without a problem when I use WinTV.

 

[barnabas1969]

I don't think it has anything to do with cables. What model is the tuner? Have you contacted Hauppauge?

 

[tocorolla]

It's WinTV-HVR-1250.

I'm in correspondance with Hauppauge. THey seem to think it's NVIDIA drivers which i've tried a few different ones already.

 

[barnabas1969]

I have a 1250 and a 2250 in my Media Center PC. Both work fine. Have you told Hauppauge that you are able to play DVD's in Media Center? They are probably thinking that the driver bug in the nVidia drivers is the culprit. That's what I thought when I first replied to your post too... until you told me that you can play DVD's.

 

[barnabas1969]

Oh... and after you re-installed the Media Center drivers from Hauppauge, I hope you also went through the "Live TV Setup" in media center again... to scan for channels and such.

 

[tocorolla]

Yes, I rescanned the TV signal again each time I change something. Rebooted the PC too.

 

[kegobeer]

Do you have a single display or a multiple display setup?

 

[tocorolla]

It's a single display. VGA cable to monitor. DVI adapter at PC side if it matters?

 

[kegobeer]

Have you tweaked any filters/codecs?

 

[tocorolla]

For codecs, I've uninstalled and reinstalled klite. I mean, it works with WinTV, just not with WMC, which makes it a strange one...

 

[seavixen32]

I'm inclined to believe it's probably NVIDIA's driver that's the problem.

I recently updated my computer to their latest driver and WMC produced a black screen.

I reverted to the 275.33 driver and all is good again so you might want to consider rolling back to an earlier graphics driver.

 

[barnabas1969]

Seavixen32, the OP has already reverted to an older nVidia driver. If the display driver was the issue, he wouldn't be able to watch a DVD in Media Center. He can watch a DVD... just not TV.