Playing DVDs on an External Display

Some laptops have issues when trying to play DVDs on an external display, such as a projector screen for a class presentation. This page contains information on how to get certain laptops to correctly display DVDs. Solutions to these types of problems are usually very specific to the model of computer used. This page explains how to play DVDs using two models of laptop commonly found in the department. If you need help with another model of laptop, contact the ECEn SysOps for further assistance.

Here are some common problems that the tips on this page should help you fix.

My laptop display shows up properly on the projector, except the DVD player window is black on the projector. (Using any sort of DVD player: windvd, windows media player, etc)

I want to play a DVD on two monitors connected to my desktop computer and the DVD part is only showing up on one of the monitors. (Using Windows Media Player)

For the IBM Thinkpad 400:

Note: As far as we can tell, there isn't a way to get the DVD player output, no matter which DVD player you choose to use, on both the local and projector display. However, there is a way to choose where the DVD display appears so that in a classroom setting the movie would play on the projector screen.

Hit Fn+F7 to open the display scheme chooser. Click the button labeled "Manage Schemes..."

Click for screenshot

Click the "New" button.

Click for screenshot

3	Hit "Next", then "Next" again.

Make sure the button labeled "External Monitor or Projector" is checked.

Click for screenshot

5	Click "Next". If you are warned that you have not yet tested the settings, go ahead and click "yes" to move on.

6	Click "Next" twice.

7	Type in a name for the new scheme, like "DVD Player" and click "Finish".

8	Click "OK".

Hit Fn+F7 again. Select the scheme you just created and click on it.

Click for screenshot

10	Start up your DVD player of choice. Note that your local DVD player window will be black while you can see the movie on the external display.

For the Dell Precision Workstation 650:

Note: This solution assumes your notebook has the ATI Fire GL X1 graphics card.

1	Open Display Properties by right-clicking anywhere on the desktop and selecting "Properties"

2	Select the "Settings" tab.

Click the "Advanced" button.

Click for screenshot

4	Select the "Dual Screen" tab, and choose "Clone Mode".

5	Select the "Troubleshooting" tab.

6	There should be a section called "Hardware Acceleration" with a slider bar. Slide it down until the accompanying text indicates that DirectDraw and Direct3D acceleration are disabled.

You should now see something like this:

Click for screenshot

8	Click "OK", then "OK" to accept the settings.

9	Hopefully, the movie will now show up on both monitors. If it doesn't, try selecting the other monitor in the Display Properties -> Settings tab. Then click "Advanced" and repeat the above steps.