Full screen theater mode & Vista Ultimate

[eugene_2005]

I cannot make full screen theater mode on clone monitor working in Vista Ultimate with ATI x1950Pro and the latest drivers. It was really useful feature for me in XP since I could watch TV and browse the Web at the same time but now it's gone.
Any comments any solutions how to make it work?

[shivac]

Is it just greyed out? I know mine are :\ I loved that feature.

[fanbanlo]

hum.. maybe Theatre Mode only works for Overlay, the older rendering layer.

[SciDoctor]

hum.. maybe Theatre Mode only works for Overlay, the older rendering layer.

This is true, theatre mode never worked with VMR9 in XP or w2k; only with overlay which isn't available in VISTA.

[gritmaster]

I installed Vista Ultimate last night w/ an X300SE in my system. Installed Catalyst 7.1 and CCC for Vista.

The "Overlay Display Mode" setting in CC is greyed out and cannot be changed so I cannot use "theater mode" on my TV like I could in XP (full screen video on the TV, but not on my monitor).

I had to use VLC to even get Overlay to work in the first place, (http://support.ati.com/ics/support/d...asp?deptID=894) and even then had to switch the video renderer to OpenGL to get video to show up.

And even then, when I use Clone Mode, the resolution of my monitor only goes up to 1024x768 in CCC, but when I witch to Extend MY Desktop mode, then I can go up to 1280x1024, my LCD's native resolution.

Anyone have a solution to the Overlay or Clone mode issues?

[Lupine]

Welcome to the forums gritmaster. I've restored your original post. Sorry for the hassle.

[spockers]

I watch TV thru Media Center on my TV and surf at the same time every day. Just set the TV as extended desktop, not clone, drag Media Center over to the TV and maximize it. This grabs the mouse just like in XP, but you can ALT-TAB back to your desktop and surf or whatever.

OddlyI just found something in the help file from the latest CCC:

"Note: Extended Desktop Mode is not supported on systems running Windows Vista™."

That's funny, I'm running extended desktop to my TV as I type this.

[eugene_2005]

hum.. maybe Theatre Mode only works for Overlay, the older rendering layer.

Yes, that probably where problem is. I think ATI has to solve this probemin different way

[Redknight]

This has been a real kick in the teeth imo, I regularily used the feature in Win XP and now it's not available. Yes, I can drag and maximise but sometimes I kinda liked having it minimised for easy access on my monitor and full screen all the time on my TV. Hoodwinked I tell ya!

Anyway, this is what ATI have to say on the matter.

737-25747: Windows Vista Theater Mode Settings Not Working

http://support.ati.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=894

Can't seem to link it properly so search 737-25747 in the search field to see it.

Basicly they say that the feature is there as it always has been but now you must be using software that displays on the "overlay" which Vista does not have..confused..ye me too. Anyone got any idea if there is a media player designed to display on the "overlay"..still confused?..mhm

[HighlandeR]

1st of all thx for the above posters.... for so many years I used "Theatre Mode"/Secondary Video mirroring its the main feature I use for my graphics card since I watch alot of Videos and require it.

Its good to see some people know what this feature is and actually use it !

Ive gone to Vista and hello same issue as I had with Nvidia 8800 series didnt expect it with ATI+Vista but guess so, has anyone got any further updates on this situation ?

I dont think ATI care and will proberly reload XP where everything works at least....

[mikiem]

My guess is that MMC's file player was/is only equipped to grab the overlay when it was playing the file. 'Least that was my experience with it. Not a great solution if/when forced to use an outdated player with not the best of built-in codecs, and it wouldn't work if your system had other codecs installed as default. This seems to have continued with CCC 8.3, as the Theater mode help says: "Note: These settings will only affect applications with video overlay support". Vista complicates things as noted in other posts -- it doesn't natively do overlay -- so have to switch out of aero.

Power DVD has dual screen support, so might try that, and it works in Vista. Might also look at Microsoft's exhibiter software http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...utilities.aspx
and see if that would work for you.

[HighlandeR]

My guess is that MMC's file player was/is only equipped to grab the overlay when it was playing the file. 'Least that was my experience with it. Not a great solution if/when forced to use an outdated player with not the best of built-in codecs, and it wouldn't work if your system had other codecs installed as default. This seems to have continued with CCC 8.3, as the Theater mode help says: "Note: These settings will only affect applications with video overlay support". Vista complicates things as noted in other posts -- it doesn't natively do overlay -- so have to switch out of aero.

Power DVD has dual screen support, so might try that, and it works in Vista. Might also look at Microsoft's exhibiter software http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...utilities.aspx
and see if that would work for you.

thx I wasnt even expecting anyone to post a follow up since thats the general outlook ive noticed when discussing this issue.. always seem to ponder does anyone out there even watch films or HD from there pc

It would be lovely to have software that worked under vista will try your ideas above but for now back to XP where everything works

[HighlandeR]

Tried that ms extender didnt seem to do too much, however am starting to belive the reason why no ones really mentioned or bothered about the whole "video mirroring" vista/overlay issue is that most are using HTPC type software.

Windows MCE can be dragged over to the extended 2nd display and set to full screen, and guess why not but as pointed out you cant use the mouse to control your 1st display so u cant surf or even use your pc for that matter.

Am checking thru these post and threads here :

http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=503429&page=2

http://www.htpcnews.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=337

Am gonna try PowerDVD and http://www.mymovies.dk/ alot say that seems to have a good combo of use, ive tried powerdvd 8 beta and think its too buggy and couldnt see dual screen support either, gonna try a previous version and see how it goes.

[moshpit]

Windows MCE can be dragged over to the extended 2nd display and set to full screen, and guess why not but as pointed out you cant use the mouse to control your 1st display so u cant surf or even use your pc for that matter.

Alt+Tab as already said?

[HighlandeR]

Alt+Tab as already said?

Thx I did try that but as previously said it pointless soon as u alt+tab u can surf again and then when u goto use mce remote control to watch telly/divxs and whatnot you cannot cos mouse pointer is locked onto the main pc display monitor.

There are other programs that can do MCE alot better, I tried the new powerDVD 8 but theres no dual screen or video mirroring system in place there, yeah u can drag the window over to right and still use mouse pointer but its still powerdvd type software.

I think im just gonna stick with XP frankly once I get my new system sorted out at least then ive got full control of what software/setup I like, I dont think it can be beat frankly perhaps Windows 7 o/s thats apparantly due end of 2009 will promise on what Vista failed to do, as in give people what they wanted.

[Gorganzola]

Try ALT+ESC if memory serves me right.

This article might be related: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/813185

[mikeybloke]

Easy way to do it is download Media player classic homecinema (if you cant find it you can get it bundled with the cccp codec pack) do a search to find the executible file and right click property's then compatibility. tick the bottom two options (disable desktop composition & display scaling) and save. Afterwards set it as your default player and open a video file, windows will switch to vista basic and you will get perfect theater mode on your second monitor/tv.