Black screen on video playback

[Treble]

When i'm trying to play any video files - AVI, WMV, MPEG, anything - i'm getting audio but not video playback. I've tried updating codecs in Divx, downloading VLC, running anitvirus and spyware checkers, done a reboot....nothing worked. Ideas?

Edit: this is a laptop, btw. Also, no other image stuff seems to be affected (jpegs, gifs etc. are fine).

[Papercut]

Sounds like you have a broken video card driver.

Otherwise, try 'overlay' video settings, specifically brightness and contrast.

[Treble]

I've installed new drivers - brought the screen up a treat, and the display is a lot, lot sharper, so bonus! there.

However, hasn't resolved the problem. I've run Fresh Diagnose and I can benchmark the display adapter, but no video files will play. Help! >_<

[Roost]

I had something like this on a ATI card, had it setup as yours is now, using TV out you'd see the movie, on the pc you just got a black screen. Something do with priority of the displays, not got a ATI card now so can't check, sorry dude.

[FelixofMars]

I thought that was the normal setting for an ATI card, each one I have installed or used has the gamma far too low, I kept thinking I was going blind at first.

[Treble]

Whoops, I feel like a fool. I'm connected to a monitor, and the playback only shows on the laptop....whose lid I had closed. I'm off to find an 'embarrased' smilie....

[Treble]

Ah well, thanks for the help. And I got some good new drivers out of it ^_~