We have where I work several iPAQ3800 projectors which, in most cases,
work great. But when we try to display a DVD through our HP laptops to
the projectors, the media player image shows on the screen, but the
image itself does not. Does anyone know if the the problem is with the
laptop or the projector? Is there a fix for this? Any suggestions?

We are preparing to buy 5 new projectors, and would like them to be
able to project DVDs. Is there a spec for this? How would we know
whether they can do this, if this is doable?

Thanks in advance.

Dave

It's a software configuration issue. You may need to make changes to
how your video card in the laptop uses the "overlay" function and the
"theatre" mode, or you may need a different DVD (MPEG2) player and/or codec.


salgud wrote:

"salgud" <davegb@safebrowse.com> wrote in message
news:1175113481.925689.179790@y80g2000hsf.googlegr oups.com...
Do the laptops have dual head graphics cards? If so, this is why. The
video image is overlayed onto the visible PC graphics, but the graphics card
only has one set of overlay logic, thus it can't overlay onto both devices.

A workaround is to extend the desktop onto the projector, and then drag the
DVD player onto the projector. This depends on the DVD player used because
some insist on opening the video on the primary desktop.

On Mar 29, 2:11 am, "M.I.5¾" <no....@no.where.NO_SPAM.co.uk> wrote:
I'm not sure. How would I tell? I know less than nothing about
graphics cards, monitors/LCDs and projectors. I'm pretty good on apps
and hardware, basic stuff, but I'm out of my element here. I was asked
to figure this out because I'm considered a geek here, but I'm
strictly a low level geek!

If so, this is why. The
How do I "extend the desktop onto the projector, and then drag the DVD
player onto the projector"? By DVD player, do you mean the software?
Windoze Media Player? What is the "primary desktop"? Are there more
than one desktops on some computers? The ones we use here have only
one desktop per unit, as far as I know. We're running Win2000 on some,
and WinXP on other laptops.

I appreciate the help. If we need to buy special projectors to get
around this problem, then we'll do so. Let me know if there are some
types that don't have this problem. If it's more about the laptop/
software, what do we need to get to get around this?

Thanks!

"salgud" <davegb@safebrowse.com> wrote in message
news:1175176536.063641.327230@e65g2000hsc.googlegr oups.com...
On Mar 29, 2:11 am, "M.I.5¾" <no....@no.where.NO_SPAM.co.uk> wrote:
I'm not sure. How would I tell? I know less than nothing about
graphics cards, monitors/LCDs and projectors. I'm pretty good on apps
and hardware, basic stuff, but I'm out of my element here. I was asked
to figure this out because I'm considered a geek here, but I'm
strictly a low level geek!

If so, this is why. The
How do I "extend the desktop onto the projector, and then drag the DVD
player onto the projector"? By DVD player, do you mean the software?
Windoze Media Player? What is the "primary desktop"? Are there more
than one desktops on some computers? The ones we use here have only
one desktop per unit, as far as I know. We're running Win2000 on some,
and WinXP on other laptops.

I appreciate the help. If we need to buy special projectors to get
around this problem, then we'll do so. Let me know if there are some
types that don't have this problem. If it's more about the laptop/
software, what do we need to get to get around this?

---------------------

Well we don't want to spoil your image do we ;-)

Right click on the desktop. From the box that opens, select the settings
tab. If there is a pictorial representation of 2 monitors, then you
probably have dual head graphics. If you click on the monitor with the '2'
in it, the selection box 'Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor'
should become enabled'. You can also grab and move monitor 2 relative to
monitor 1. What happens now depends on the dual head driver. If the
Windows own driver is operating, parts of the existing desktop may be
present on the 2nd monitor, otherwise it may be just a screen showing
whatever background you are using. You should be able to drag anything from
monitor 1 onto monitor 2.

The presence of the 2 monitors in the settings tab is not positive proof
that you do have dual head graphics. On this PC for example, there are
three monitors in the setings tab. The absence of anywhere to connect the
other two, betrays the fact that our IT department has managed, once again,
to cock up the configuration.

There is one gothcha that I will tell you about before you manage to look
like an idiot. Before you disconnect the second monitor, *make sure that
you uncheck the 'Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor' first.
Failure to do so will mean that your mouse cursor (and anything else) can be
placed on the second monitor (even if it isn't physically there), and it can
get quite frustrating trying to work out why they are not working.

Dual head graphics is particularly useful in Powerpoint presentations
because Powerpoint directly supports dual monitor operation where the slides
can be displayed on the secondary output (usually a projector for this use)
and the first monitor will display a miniature slide *and* the speaker's
notes.