Playing Video in Windows Media Player
Fix video-coloration problems and reduce buffering while playing video on the Internet in Windows Media Player.
Answers refer to Windows Media Player 10, unless otherwise noted.
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Why is my video discolored or has colored lines running through it?
A variety of issues can cause color to go bad in Windows Media Player. To troubleshoot possible causes, do the following:
| • | Check for video-card driver updates from the maker of your video card. | ||||||
| • | Check for Microsoft DirectX updates by scanning for updates on the Windows Update Web site. | ||||||
| • | Try a different acceleration setting for your video hardware:
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| • | Adjust video settings to default values:
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If the video plays back normally at first, but then becomes discolored (or disappears entirely), see the question, "Why can't I see the video when I'm playing a video file?" in the Media Advice archive.
Why can't I adjust the slider controls for video settings in the Enhancements pane?
You can't adjust them possibly because the option in Windows Media Player that enables video mixing rendering (VMR) is turned off. To turn on VMR in the Player, do the following:
1. | On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Performance tab. |
2. | Click the Advanced button. |
3. | In the Video Acceleration area, click the Use video mixing renderer check box. |
However, if your video card doesn't support VMR, you may not be able to turn on the Use video mixing renderer option. If your video card supports VMR, but you either can't turn on this option or adjust the video settings controls (hue, saturation, brightness, contrast), check for video-card driver updates from the maker of your video card.
Why do the video-settings adjustments that I make in the Player go back to default values when I play a new video?
Windows Media Player doesn't retain video-settings adjustments between video playback sessions because non-default settings may not work for all videos. For example, if your video is too dark and you increase the brightness, the next video you play may be hard to see at that brightness setting. You may need to adjust the video settings for each video that you play.
If your settings appear to be consistently maladjusted (for example, all of your videos are too dark), try adjusting overlay or color values for your video card instead. To access video-card properties, do the following:
1. | In Control Panel, open Display. |
2. | In the Display Properties dialog box, on the Settings tab, click the Advanced button. |
3. | Adjust properties for your video card by reviewing the documentation that came with your hardware. |
How can I reduce the number of buffering messages that I get when I play video from the Internet?
The "Buffering" message appears when Windows Media Player is storing video data in its cache (a temporary storage area), so that it can play the video with fewer interruptions. The cache enables glitch-free playback by reducing the amount of time that the Player has to spend requesting data from the streaming media server that streams the video or from the Web server that stores the video file (if you're playing the video file directly from the Internet). If you frequently see the buffering message, that means that the Player is emptying its cache (while playing the video content) faster than it can be filled. Although buffering is normal (especially if you are receiving a stream over the Internet), you can reduce the possibility that you'll get this message by increasing the size of the network buffer.
Keep in mind that the larger you make your buffer, the longer it will take before videos begin playing (although this also depends on your network/Internet connection speed). Therefore, we recommend that you increase your network buffer only if you experience small but frequent periods of buffering.
To increase the size of your network buffer, do the following:
1. | In Windows Media Player, on the Tools menu, click Options. |
2. | Click the Performance tab. |
3. | Select Buffer <seconds> seconds of content, and then type a number between one and 60. |
When I try to play a video, the Player says that the video is damaged or corrupted. What can I do?
Unfortunately, there are problems with the video file, and the Player cannot repair damaged or corrupted files.
If you don't find the answer to your question in this column, be sure to check the Archive. Media Advice is not an official Microsoft Support channel. If you need immediate help for an urgent problem, we recommend that you visit Microsoft Help and Support.