BTV Link black when connecting

[mcconnw]

I am a recent BTV convert from MCE2005. I love it. Fully licensed BTV server, running the UPnP Media server. Trying the Trial BTV link on two different laptops. Software installs, but when it opens all I have is a black screen. Moving the cursor around I 'hear' it pass over what is probably the selection for my server or Exit. I have tried install Java JRE ver 5, adjusting font size on laptops. I am stumped or stupid...
Appreciate any guidance. Thanks!

[bnflaherty]

try this article:

http://kb.snapstream.com/?kbid=219

[mcconnw]

Thanks for the reply. I saw that article once before, but thought it only applied to the server, not the client pc. I will try the change in the xml this evening. Hope it works!

[Rich A]

What are the specs of the laptops? I ran into a problem myself but found it to be the graphics capability of the ancient laptop I was using wasn't up to specs.

The link machine will require pretty much the same as the server as far as video capability goes. You'll need the latest DX-9, MS net framework etc.

[mcconnw]

The xml fix worked, even on the older laptop, thanks again Bnflaherty! But as RichA suggested; it was too slow. Uninstalled Trial Link, but it DID connect after switching to software rendering.
The faster laptop connected OK now, but am having video issues. More tweaking, driver upgrade...whatever. I'll let you know what happens.

[Rich A]

Just a note .. in my case Beyond TV Link wouldn't even install. Trying to do so resulted in an error message about my graphics not being compatible (pre-directx-9) ..

[mcconnw]

Installs are working, it was just that initial black screen. XML edit fixed that issue. On the 'fast' laptop, after fixing this, I got connected but when I picked Live TV, it froze. Then pc blewup with ugly video errors. I switched to a better video driver, now I don't get errors, but a pink screen. Yes, pink when connected to Live TV. Playing Recorded TV is fine, slight hesitation periodically, but it is wireless g. Other streaming video with Windows Media player have always worked, just a little jumpy...sometimes. Perhaps Live TV is too much too ask on this unit. Sigh.
Again, thanks for the input. I have read a lot of your posts and I appreciate your time.

[Rich A]

Originally Posted by mcconnw

Installs are working, it was just that initial black screen. XML edit fixed that issue. On the 'fast' laptop, after fixing this, I got connected but when I picked Live TV, it froze. Then pc blewup with ugly video errors. I switched to a better video driver, now I don't get errors, but a pink screen. Yes, pink when connected to Live TV. Playing Recorded TV is fine, slight hesitation periodically, but it is wireless g. Other streaming video with Windows Media player have always worked, just a little jumpy...sometimes. Perhaps Live TV is too much too ask on this unit. Sigh.
Again, thanks for the input. I have read a lot of your posts and I appreciate your time.

Sounds like you are almost there. Getting a "pink" screen may have something to do with the video card's display of overlay or something. You normally get something like that when you try to do a screen capture of a desktop where there is a window on that desktop that is displaying video. The video portion will show up as a pink screen. The rest of the desktop will look normal in the screen's capture frame.

Play around with the video card's parameters and look at the overlay options in particular. You might find something that will fix that pink screen. Also check the video card's parameters for hardware acceleration and turn it lower or even off. Good luck. Don't quit now ..

[mcconnw]

Once again Rich A you were (are) right on target. Dropped the hardware acceleration to none. Screen was actually a vibrant green, not pink. Not sure where I got the pink idea. Nevertheless, cranked it back on and Live TV quits again, so it was not a fluke. Still pretty choppy, but that is the processor I am sure. Thanks again for your help!

[Rich A]

Some times I get lucky. Well if the video Accel made a difference, I would "guess" most if not all of your problems are video card related. Even the stuttering. Except maybe for that 700 mhz unit. The other two shouldn't be a problem.

Stuttering can be caused by all kinds of things. For regular TV (not High Def) I know I had no trouble with a little as a 1K Duron. Now that you have video to watch you need to find out what's causing the stutter. Maybe some LAN setting or something in that area.