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[Kellen Tyburski]

I've had to subrent a couple laptops recently, and I've come across a problem that I have never seen before... With just a simple Computer --> Projector setup (via vga), when playing a dvd.... I can see playback on the laptop screen, but through the projector I can't see it. I can still see the desktop, etc - but the video shows black. I have a feeling it's a simple fix. Ideas?

[Ken Freeman]

Set your display output to mirror.

Ken

[Milt Hathaway]

Stop using laptops to play DVDs.

If at all possible, anyway.

[Kellen Tyburski]

Yeah - It was an In-House thing, with laptop rental so I didnt have much control there. Just seen the problem a couple times only with certain computers.. (assuming its depending on vid card)... Some fixes I have read about since posting:

-Disable Hardware acceleration
-Cycle through output modes


Havnt had a chance to test since, but just wondering if anyone knew exactly why this was happening.

[Christopher Dean]

It could be the video card for the laptop does not have the power to push video to two sources simultaniusly. Try sending the output to the projector only.  you will not have a display on the laptop but should be able to project your dvd

[Silas Pradetto]

Very likely it's a copy protection thing.

[Tom Manchester]

Christopher Dean wrote on Sun, 24 October 2010 12:35

It could be the video card for the laptop does not have the power to push video to two sources simultaniusly. Try sending the output to the projector only.  you will not have a display on the laptop but should be able to project your dvd

+1. If you check all the video settings and everything seems right, but it will still not play, this is often the best quick and dirty fix. I'll agree that using a DVD player instead of a laptop is usually the better option as well.

[Kellen Tyburski]

Thanks for feedback - sounds like it could be a couple different things.. next time I shall be prepared.

[Ken Miller, Jr.]

I always try to rip the DVD to a file before playing. Sometimes DVD's can be somewhat flaky in our industry. I would look into a) renting an actual DVD player or ripping the DVD to file.

Also, what software were you using to play the DVD with?

[Bennett Prescott]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-bandwidth_Digital_Content_ Protection

That laptop will probably not allow DVD video to be played on a device it does not control.