Problem with movies in PowerPoint

[Charles L. Cotton]

I use PowerPoint for almost all of the classes I teach. In the PPIH and PPOH courses, I also embed two or three movie clips that are in MPEG format (at least I think that's the format) in a slide along with other information and photos. When I click on the movie, it goes to full-screen and plays on the computer, but not the projector.

I use a new projector that's only a few months old. I'm using an S-video cable, but the projector has HDMI input as well. The projector works fine on all aspects of the PowerPoint presentation, until I launch the movie. The screen goes blank and there is no video. I've tried to find a setting on the projector that looks like it may have an impact, but nothing makes any difference. I can't recall the name of the projector, but TraCoun may jump in with it. I've tried using TraCoun's laptop in case it was the computer, but that made no difference.

Has anyone run into this before? Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Chas.

[HighVelocity]

First, the S video cable will only support 640x480 resolution and it may be outputting that by default but I would have to see it since I'm not familiar with your laptop.

However, I have seen the problem you're describing except I was using the SVGA input of the projector, not the S video.

Try this:

1) close all programs, ppt, outlook, etc.
2) right click on your desktop wallpaper and choose "properties"
3) click the "settings" tab that's at the top right of the properties window you've opened
4) you should see a "troubleshoot" tab at the top right now, click that.
5) You should now see a sliding control for Hardware Acceleration that goes from NONE to FULL and by default it's set on FULL
6) move that slider to the middle of it's range.
7) click "apply" and "ok"

Now re-open power point and see if it plays through your projector. Hopefully, it works.

Gary

[Charles L. Cotton]

Thanks Gary, I'll give that a try when I get home tonight.

Chas.

[Skiprr]

I think HV's on the right track. But ain't he always.

Another thing to check is the way PowerPoint itself is configured. Now, this is dependent upon which version you're running, but on the top menu go to Slide Show, then Set Up Show. Look for an option that says "Use hardware graphics acceleration," and make sure that option does not have a checkmark by it.

If all else has failed so far, you may be forced to switch to the external video port only when it comes time to play the movie, then switch back to both laptop and external simultaneous diplay after playing the clip. The switchin' part I know you know (usually hold down the Fn key and press whatever associated function key--F4 on HPs--that toggles the display). But before you do that, if you're using Windows XP, go back to PowerPoint's Slide Show, then Set Up Show, and you'll have an option that either says "Display slide show on" or "Multiple Monitors"; you'll want that option set to "Primary Monitor."

Just an FYI, I have my laptop configured in dual-monitor mode with a shared desktop. For business presentations, I ususally like to have that "Display slide show on" set to my secondary monitor...which means the external projector when I'm away from monitor number two. This allows me to have the slide show displaying my notes in Normal view, while the projector is displaying the full-screen slide show sans notes. As you move through the slide show, the Normal view on the laptop stays synchronized with the Slide Show view on the projector. This helps me appear much smarter than I am because I can keep details and answers to likely questions in the notes section and not have to thumb through paper to find (most) of my references. But I don't think I've ever tried to embed a movie clip in a slide show running in this dual-monitor mode, so I don't know if I could get movies to work this way.

[HighVelocity]

I forgot to add, if setting the slider at half doesn't work, move it a little closer to "none" until it's as far as it will go. If it still doesn't work, punt.

[jbirds1210]

If it still doesn't work, punt.

[Charles L. Cotton]

You guys have me thinking this might work after all!

Chas.

[JKDubb]

If it is not working you need to do this...

1. Press the "Fn" + either F4 or F5, whichever one looks like a screen at the same time and then release.

2. You should only be able to see the presentation on the projection screen. Your projector will cycle looking for a source

3. It will find the source and your laptop screen should go black. you may need to repeat this more than once

You will not be able to watch the presentation on both the projector and the screen at the same time.

I have three different laptops (Toshiba, Compaq & IBM) and they all operate a little diffrently but the compaq & IBM have the problem you are describing. (instructions above)

When using the Toshiba I have to hold down the two buttons for a second and it will ask me what display I want.

[Hoppes]

I use PowerPoint for almost all of the classes I teach. In the PPIH and PPOH courses, I also embed two or three movie clips that are in MPEG format (at least I think that's the format) in a slide along with other information and photos. When I click on the movie, it goes to full-screen and plays on the computer, but not the projector.

I use a new projector that's only a few months old. I'm using an S-video cable, but the projector has HDMI input as well. The projector works fine on all aspects of the PowerPoint presentation, until I launch the movie. The screen goes blank and there is no video. I've tried to find a setting on the projector that looks like it may have an impact, but nothing makes any difference. I can't recall the name of the projector, but TraCoun may jump in with it. I've tried using TraCoun's laptop in case it was the computer, but that made no difference.

Has anyone run into this before? Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Chas.

Chas,

Some others have answered the video resolution problems they experienced but I've seen the problem manifest itself in the S-video cable that connects the pc or laptop to the projector. If you are using that cable and projector very frequently you might want to inspect the cable often. Jiggle the cable and try rebooting and se if that fixes the problem.

The fact that it worked previously in a certain configuration is proof that it will work in the video mode you had it set to previously unless there has been external changes to hardware, OS or software. Make you a few notes about the configuration so you will have it for future use when this problem rears its ugly head in one of your classes. That will help you solve it more quickly.

This problem was occurring for a CHL Instructor. It took him about 30 minutes to get it straightened out. The cable and the video resolution had to be fixed in that case. The problem was that the CHL instructor could not remember how he did it previously. Configuration notes would have helped him.

Hoppes

[Charles L. Cotton]

First, the S video cable will only support 640x480 resolution and it may be outputting that by default but I would have to see it since I'm not familiar with your laptop.

However, I have seen the problem you're describing except I was using the SVGA input of the projector, not the S video.

Try this:

1) close all programs, ppt, outlook, etc.
2) right click on your desktop wallpaper and choose "properties"
3) click the "settings" tab that's at the top right of the properties window you've opened
4) you should see a "troubleshoot" tab at the top right now, click that.
5) You should now see a sliding control for Hardware Acceleration that goes from NONE to FULL and by default it's set on FULL
6) move that slider to the middle of it's range.
7) click "apply" and "ok"

Now re-open power point and see if it plays through your projector. Hopefully, it works.

Gary

I forgot to give you an update. This worked, thanks!!

Chas.

[HighVelocity]

Excellent.

[gigag04]

Solution:

Buy a mac.

[Mithras61]

Solution:

Buy a mac.

How is this a solution to his problem of getting PowerPoint on Windows to run an embedded movie on an external projector? The problem with the projector not supporting full hardware acceleration from the video card wouldn't be addressed by providing a different video card unless the video card used a lesser hardware acceleration (that is, if it was a lesser viceo card).

Unless...

Are you suggesting that Macs have lesser video cards than Windows systems?