Problem with watching video

When watching TV shows from the major networks, I can hear the audio but not see the video playing. But when I enlarge the screen, the video momentarily flashes bu then goes back to the black screen no matter what size I am watching in.
My desktop has Win XP Home installed with NVIDIA GeForce 4 MX 440 card and the nVIDIA desktop manager is installed. I have upgraded to the Flashplayer 10 and changed the settings for all Adobe Flash Player settings on Zone Alarm and nothing works on either the IE or Firefox browsers. And nothing abnormal is showing in the device manager.
Any suggestions?

 

The only other thing I can think to do is look to upgrade the driver since now all these shows are going HD.
What do you guys think?

 

Check that you don't have dual monitors enabled and your screen is the secondary monitor.

 

Mattman
Where might I go to check that just to make sure.

 

Ah, it is good that you asked KAL. Many people don't and remain in uninformed bliss

If you get stuck at all, try the Help menus. First, look in the nVidia control program (desktop manager). It has changed over the years since your model and will depend on which version you have. If there are no details about multiple monitors, there is information at the nVidia website.

Next check in Start -> (Settings) -> Control Panel -> Display -> Settings tab. If there are two screens depicted there should a button "Identify monitor ".

Use the nVidia program to make any settings, don't use Windows Display.

If you are still stuck, go the nVidia website and get updated drivers/software there.

Matt

 

Now I am little confused here if I may say so, to watch commercial TV on your PC as far as I know you will need a either internal TV Tuner card or a USB receiver.
I personally use a USB twin and have it connected to my external Antenna and I have a excellent picture in analog or digital and can record one show while watching another.
Adobe Flash player is not involved at all in my case.
I also have some reservations about your GeForce 4 MX440 I think it is a bit dated.
But then your situation may be different.
hawk22

 

I'M A BIT DATED. . .

but this all works for me and I really an stuck in my ways.

I watch the major networks via their own sites. I don't own a TV now and really don't have all the time to sit and watch much so this way keeps me entertained. It gives me the choice to pick and choose what I want to watch.

Yes my computer is older but I am used to the way I have things set up. I have several other computers and laptops also. I normally watch the shows on my laptop which is a bit newer and faster, but I never had a problem with this desktop as far as watching the network shows. I don't have a problem watching anything on YouTube so I am just assuming that the problem is due to networks going to HD or just needing a driver update.

I use this particular desktop mainly for my restaurant business and when I want a break, it's nice to be able to watch a show every now and then.

I have written to NVidia about the driver update and they have contacted me. I will stay in touch with them but I really like the stupendous help that WinBBS always provides.

You guys are a top notch team and I recommend you to everyone I know.

I just wanted an opinion from the team as I always get so much input and it is always in terms that are understandable . . . I am not embarassed to be a "dummy" when I write to WinBBS.

MATTMAN

I just checked my control panel and double checked about the dual monitor thing. I clicked it on and off just to make sure then when to the network site and it still does the same thing. I can enlarge the screen and the show blips on for a second and then again when the size is reduced.
I am just kind of scared that I might ***** up my computer if I do the upgrade. I guess the big question is, is it just a matter of installed the new driver without removing the old driver. In the meantime I will reply to Nvidia also. I just like you guys better.

 

Yes, good point Hawk.
KAL, you talk about Flashplayer and Internet Explorer. I haven't investigated streaming TV over the internet, but it looks like it is possible:
http://au.search.yahoo.com/search;_...do=1&p=live stream television&ei=UTF-8&fr=sfp

If you are trying to stream over the internet, you would need a very fast internet connection. If you don't have one, that's maybe why you can hear the stream, but not see it.

Matt
Edit: Hi KAL, you posted as I was typing.

 

But Mattman, I was watching TV from the network sites before this happened. The only thing I can think that has changed is that this season all the networks have seem to upgrade their players. I say that because when I started to watch the programs this season, every network had me download and upgrade to their player.
And yes, this computer doesn't have the ommph that my laptop does, so you are probably correct about only being able to hear and not view.
But would you advise the upgrade from Nvidia?
Thanks!!

 

OK, so you are streaming the data.

At the website where you getting the stream, there will be FAQs or troubleshooting guides to running the stream. Check if there are minimum or recommended system requirements for getting it. You mention upgrading the players (like Adobe Flashplayer I suppose), you can go to the player's website and check for information as well. [It might well say to check for graphics driver updates.]

Here is download page for the MX4 series drivers:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_93.71_2.html
I suppose I don't need to tell you...follow the instructions carefully.
The ones I see there are:

Just a tip, don't get drivers from Windows Updates, get them from the hardware manufacturer, in this case nVidia. Windows Updates will install the drivers, yes, but it won't upgrade the nVidia Control Panel (desktop manager) and then people wonder why the system doesn't work correctly any more.

As I said, consider that it may be the internet connection. Do you connect by DSL, cable, satellite, wireless or even maybe dial-up? If it is ,say, DSL you may need to look at updating your Ethernet (LAN adapter) drivers. Is it the same internet "account" that you use for the laptop?

Matt

 

Thanks Matt

1.) What is "Download Accelerator "? Where do I go to disable?
2.) I have downloaded the driver for this from Nvidia but not installed it as yet. (Your link is the exact driver I downloaded.)
3.) I am connected via DSL directly into this computer from the router, but I connect via wireless with the laptop using the same account.
4.) I have both Zone Alarm and AVG - I assume that these should be disabled.
5.) I will check for an update for the Ethernet/LAN drivers. (Any tips there?)
I installed a new card about a year ago when the original one dumped.
6.) I did do the troubleshooting that the networks provided and that did not make any difference in solving the problem.

Thanks again

Is it ok to leave the older driver installed?

 

A download accelerator is a third-party downloading program. If you haven't installed one and just download normally with your browser, don't worry about it.

You should(?) be getting a good connection speed. Here is a speed test:
http://www.dslreports.com/speedtest?more=1
You can try it on both computers and compare them.

You just need to disable AVG.

As with the graphics drivers, look up the ethernet adapter manufacturer's website. Often there is download link on the Home page. If you get a good DSL speed test result, you may not want to worry about it unless you cannot find a solution otherwise.

Here are the system requirements for Flashplayer 10:
http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/systemreqs/index.html
See

so minimum for "optimal" playback is 64MB of VRAM (video memory) and I am pretty certain your MX4 440 only has 32MB. You can find out by going to Start -> Run and enter
dxdiag
Go to the Display tab and see Approx. Total Memory.

The requirements say that if you don't have the specified amount of VRAM, it will run on software over hardware. That probably means having a system that runs very efficiently. You could do a cleanup of your HDD, use Windows Disk Cleanup, go to Control Panel -> Internet Options and use the button "Delete Files" (and Delete Cookies). You could then run a defragmentation. Check you have a good amount of freespace, at least on the Windows drive. Do your driver updates and...cross your fingers

I didn't think the system requirements would be that high, but as Hawk said, you may be running hardware that cannot cope with the requirements.

Matt

 

It says 64mb.

30 minutes later . . . I installed the new driver and now my streaming video works. Thanks for all your help.
What a difference in the color and speed!!

I will monitor it when switching to other networks and their video streams.

 

Well done! Thanks for letting us know how it went.