Solved Windows 8 | Video (black screen), only sound

[Takuaraa]

Hello,

First of all, if this doesn't belong here, I'm sorry and please put it in the right place.

I have upgraded my laptop from Windows 7 to Windows 8 since a while but I didn't had the time to ask for help. So now here's my problem.

If I watch a video with Windows Media Player, then the video only has sound, the screen is black.
If I watch a video with the Video App from Windows 8, then it also only shows a black screen. (Audio works) After a few seconds the App crashes.
Also every App that has to do something with a video (like a YouTube App) keeps crashing.
With Internet Explorer (App and Desktop) before the same. (for example : Youtube) Now it seems to work, don't know why.

The only way to watch videos is using VLC.

So that's it. What can I do to solve my problem.

Thank you,
Takuaraa

 

[XweAponX]

I think it is safe to say that the only Application that CAN view videos IS VLC. They removed DVD support from Windows Media Player and I have never been able to watch anything but DVDs from Media Center. The "Video" tile will not play anything but what content you buy from Xbox. I have found NO Tile/Metro app that CAN play any videos.

In WMP, if the video is Black, then the Video Codec is not installed for the Content you are trying to view. You can download the k lite codec pack, or something similar. But I don't like those cos sometimes they install Malware.

You can just keep using VLC which is what I use, it is a better Video Player for all codecs, and just about every codec is built in so you do not have to install these excess codec packs.

 

[XweAponX]

Also, check your Flash for the latest version to fix the crashing, I don't know if Youtube uses Flash anymore, but it used to, and may still use it for IE.

 

[Takuaraa]

Hello,

The 'Video' Tile actually plays the video but I can only hear the noises, the screen remains black.
I also have installed the K lite codecs but this doesn't seem to solve the problem.
As for the Flash version, I have installed the latest one but the Apps keep crashing.

I hope you guys can help me solve this problem.

Thank you,
Takuaraa

 

[XweAponX]

The X-Box tile? Ok, I just went in there again. I never saw the "Open File" that appears when you right click. I can play AVIs and some MP4's. But No MKVs and sometimes, if there is extra encoding on an MP4 file, like Hi10p it can't decode the video. I don't know if installing a Codec Pack will allow you to open all of the available Video files.

 

[XweAponX]

Ok I found this "Windows 8" Codec Pack - But it still will not open MKV files or the HI10P files.

Windows 8 Codecs Pack - CNET Download.com

 

[Takuaraa]

Hello,

MKV is not the problem. I can play MP4 or AVI files but like I said instead of 'moving pictures' the screen is black.
I also installed the Windows 8 Codec you suggested but the problem persists.

Thank you,
Takuaraa

 

[XweAponX]

If they "play" but don't show the video component, it may have something to do with your 3D settings for your Card. If the Xbox player is not chokling on the files, then there are no extra codecs in the files. So that leaves your Video Card. For nVidia, there are "Global Settings"

Global Settings are usually set by Windows:



You can bypass Global Settings for the "Video" app by setting the 3d settings manually:



VLC uses it's own internal settings so there never is any problem playing any content that's supported. It's really a much better player than anything else that's available, so I would just use that and not use the MS Video app at all.

 

[Takuaraa]

Hello,

Thank you for the help.
I just solved the problem.

Here's what I tried: In the Device Manager I chose my Graphic Card. With a right-click I chose 'Update'. After that I selected 'Browse my computer for driver software' and from here 'Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer'. From the list (had 3 to choose) I tried all of them. On my second try it worked.

Anyway, thank you XweAponX,
Takuaraa

 

[XweAponX]

Ah! What kind of Graphics Card was it, there are really only three kinds: Nvidia, AMD/ATI and Intel.

Good- Once I realised that the XBox Video Player can play AVIs and MP4's then it just immediately came down to the Video Card and Driver.

Just remember any Content that will not play in the Video Player, should now at least give you an Error message that the content can't be played in that tile and you can use VLC for those. There is no VLC Tile yet.

I usually only use VLC because I use VLC Remote which allows me to control it all from far away.

 

[Takuaraa]

Hello,

The Graphic Card was 'ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5000 Series'.
This solution also fixed the App crashing.

Takuaraa

 

[XweAponX]

Ah, good! We just needed the newest Driver then. AMD has taken over ATI, so it's all AMD now.

 

[Haikgh]

I have exactly the same problem !!!!!! The Graphic Card is AMD Radeon HD 6500M/5600/5700 series. I have the latest AMD, yet I still have the problem
Help pls

 

[XweAponX]

If the drivers are OK, you may have a setting clicked in VLC that disables the Video, There are bunches of Advanced Settings in that app, if you chose the wrong kind of Video Output, it will either play on your Desktop, Play in a Windows OUtside of the VLC Window, or on a 2nd Display if you have one.

Try going into the Options/Settings in every Video Player program you use, set everything to Default.

If this is an Issue with the Xbox Tile App (Videos), the Content may have an unsupported Codec.