Windows Media Player displays a black screen when a DVD is played. Windows Media Center no longer plays my recorded TV shows, DVDs or Blu-Ray Discs. Audio but no picture.

Hi bluetrumpetmusic,

Glad to know that the issue is fixed and thank you for sharing the resolution. Let us know if you face any issues with Windows 7 in future.

Thanks and Regards,Santosh Y – Microsoft Support

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Hello,

Thank You for your very detailed response.

I have tried Step 1

No trouble with my Video or Sound cards were detected and they are compatible with windows 7 64-bit

I have tried Step 2

I received an Email from PowerDVD suggesting that I use a cleaning device to clear my old registry and then reinstall anotther copy of PowerDVD

a - I used CCleaner.

b - Reinstalled PowerDVD

c- I can now play normal DVDs and Windows Media files (ones recorded in Windows Media Center) in PowerDVD

d- If I try to play a Blu-Ray disc in PowerDVD I get a green screen with audio.

c- If I try to play a DVD in Windows Media Player or DVD/Blu-Ray/Recorded TV file in Windows Media Center I get a black screen with audio.

INTERESTING PART:

When I play a DVD or Windows Media file in PowerDVD.  The ENABLE ACCELERATION button in PowerDVD Setup is automatically disabled. When I enabled it the screens went green/black and only the audio was heard.  I know now that for DVDs and Windows Media Files I need to have the ACCELERATION button disabled in PowerDVD.  This does not help with WMP or Media Center Playback.

With Blu-Ray Disks played in PowerDVD the ACCELERATION button is automatically enabled and will not turn off. (Greyed out).  I think that this may be the trouble.

I have tried Step 3

These are my currently installed Codecs.

<!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1107304683 0 0 415 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-520092929 1073786111 9 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0cm; margin-right:0cm; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page WordSection1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} -->

Video Codecs

MPEG/DVD Filters

I have tried Step 4

A month or two ago.  Blu-Ray and recorded TV shows worked fine on both PowerDVD and Windows Media Center along with DVDs.

I can only assume that the video and audio devices are working properly with Windows 7.

Any further assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Bluetrumpetmusic

Hi bluetrumpetmusic,

You have tried most of the steps. I would suggest you to try the steps below and check if it helps.

Step 1:

Run the Windows Media Player DVD troubleshooter and also hardware and devices troubleshooter and check if it helps.

Open the Windows Media Player DVD troubleshooter

Open the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

Step 2:

Try reducing (or turning off) video hardware acceleration by doing the following.

1. Open Screen Resolution by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, and then, under Appearance and Personalization, clicking Adjust screen resolution.
2. Click Advanced Settings, click the Troubleshoot tab, and then click Change settings.

***Note:***that some video card drivers do not permit you to change settings.

3. Move the Hardware acceleration slider toward None to reduce or turn off video hardware acceleration.

Reference Link:Play an audio or video file: frequently asked questions

Step 3:

Make sure that the right codecs are installed on the computer for videos to play in Windows Media Player and Windows Media Center.

***Note:***Blue Ray files are not supported in Windows Media Player and Windows Media Center. It can be played only with the software provided by Blue Ray ROM manufacturer or the system manufacturer, like Power DVD.

Codecs: frequently asked questions

Playing videos in Windows Media Center: frequently asked questions

Step 4:

Make sure that you have Windows 7 compatible device drivers installed for video card and also DVD ROM and Blue Ray ROM.

Update a driver for hardware that isn't working properly

****Hope this helps. Let us know if you need further assistance.

Thanks and Regards, Santosh Y – Microsoft Support

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