"Windows Media Player can't play DVD Video because Display Resolution or Color is too low" - Vista Error

Question

Hello Microsoft Community,

I hope everyone is doing well today. I have an interesting, odd query with my 2008 HP Compaq DC5800 Microtower PC running Windows Vista. I recently installed an ATI FirePro 3D V5800 GPU in there to use over the integrated Intel GMA Graphics on the Motherboard. The installation went successfully. However, when I try to play a DVD, the machine throws up an error saying that it "Cannot play DVD Video because the Display Resolution or Color is too low. This is odd because it could play DVDs before with its integrated Intel Graphics. As I had XP installed alongside Vista through Downgrade Rights, I tested DVD Playback on that OS and it works no problem.

I am using a 1280x1024 Dell Monitor at its max resolution, I tried different DVD Player Software like VLC Media Player with no success, I tried to disable the graphics drivers just to see if the problem was related to the drivers, but nothing. I use K-Lite Codec Pack on both Operating Systems and have attempted uninstalling it and reinstalling it on Vista but that makes no difference. It seems to come with some kind of DVD Decoder as when I try to play my DVD without K-Lite Codec Pack installed, it tells me it can't play the disc because "There is no compatible DVD Decoder installed"

This is really confusing and frustrating and I would really appreciate your help. Thank you.

Answer 1

Dear @HarmonyBliss02,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum.

I apologize for any inconvenience you may encounter when using our services/ products. Based on your description, kindly try these following steps:

Disable WMP’s DirectX video acceleration

• Open Windows Media Player > Now Playing > More Options > Performance tab.
• Uncheck Turn on DirectX Acceleration (or DirectX video acceleration if that is the label).
• Select OK, close WMP, reopen, and test the DVD.

If the “Troubleshoot” slider exists: reduce global hardware acceleration

On some Vista driver stacks you can also reduce global acceleration:

• Open Control Panel > Appearance and Personalization > Personalization > Adjust screen resolution > Advanced settings > Troubleshoot tab > Change settings
• Move the Hardware Acceleration slider down (PixelMetrics suggests the “third notch”), then restart and test.

Detect decoders the Windows way

Use Microsoft’s built-in decoder detection utility:

• Press Win + R > run: dvdupgrd /detect

If it reports No Decoders found, WMP cannot decode DVD video.

If it detects one, you can also try:

• Press Win + R > run: dvdupgrd /upgrade

Update (or roll back) the FirePro driver specifically for Vista

Because your issue started immediately after the FirePro install, do one of these:

• Update to the newest FirePro/V5800 driver that explicitly supports Vista, or
• If you already installed a “last available” legacy driver, try the previous FirePro driver version (roll back).

Run the Windows Media Player DVD troubleshooter (if present) and remove conflicts

• Running the Windows Media Player DVD troubleshooter
• Updating codecs
• Uninstalling conflicting third-party CD/DVD burning software (if installed)

I sincerely hope you understand that the initial steps I suggested may not have completely fixed the issue, as there may still be underlying causes that have not yet been identified. I am here to work closely with you, troubleshoot effectively, and explore every possible solution to ensure the best possible outcome.

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