TV output problems on DVD

[Garrett Prestage]

OK, I know my problems will probably seem lame & you've probably already told others how to solve this numerous times. But that doesn't change the fact that I need to solve my problem.

I have recently installed a Marvel G400 &
Ricoh MP 9060A DVD/CD-R. Gradually I am solving the various problems to make them function as they were intended, but it sure takes a lot of trial & error.

Now I have a problem trying to play DVDs. First, it is a bit jerky on the
regular monitor. Second, the output on the TV is discolored & seems to fade back & forth between a good image & a dark image, plus it jumps up & down. Also the TV output has no sound unless I adjust the TV settings first & even then the sound is very low. I have a Sound Blaster Live, 128 MB of RAM & a Pentium II 300. And the sound problem
is not because the audio plugs are connected wrong. I've been through all
that & they are definitely connected right. Also, when I play a video file
through PC-VCR the sound is fine on the TV.

I have read in a number of places people referring to some software called DVD Genie. It seems to be offered as some sort of panacea. Why? What is it?

Garrett

[Le Bodge]

You can download a copy of DVD Genie from http://www.inmatrix.com/files/dvdgenie_download.html . It allows you to reset the Region Code on you DVD playing software, as well as change certain parameters that the standard control panel doesn't allow.

The jerkyness you experience could be due to lack of processor power, but I'd have thought a PII 300 would be enough. I have a PII 450 which is fine. Make sure there are no other applications running - you can do an ALT-CTRL-DEL to show the Task List to see what's what.

There is a known issue with playing Region 1 (NTSC) disks on a PAL TV (search the forums for more info).

The changes in brightness sound like macrovision copy protection - again this has been covered previously in this forum (just search for 'Macrovision').

How have you connected your audio, and what have you connected it to (TV, Video, Speakers, HI-FI, Dolby Decoder...)? Are you using the latest Liveware 3 drivers from Creative?

Hope this helps.

Le B.

[Garrett Prestage]

Thanks for the tips. I'll try each of them & see what happens. (except the audio connections, which are right).

[Meek]

Well, the fluctuation is in most cases by the Macrovision encoding, but it should only occur if you connect through a VCR. Connect directly to the TV and it should disappear.

For the sound... I have no real idea except that you may be directing the output to a digital SPDIF connector, which you are not using. Try using "Stereo" or "Surround Compatible" sound modes and disable the digital output if that is enabled.

M.

[Al Stafford]

I have had trouble sending DVD sound to the TV as well. I solved it by opening the volume controls .

Right click on the volume control in the system tray.Choose "Open Volume Controlls" and the Mixer opens. Sound now goes th the TV. Works for me every time.

I have tried opening the SB32 mixer but that doesn,t help.

Al