ATI 9600 AIW no TV picture w/WB5 latest beta

from WinCustomize Forums
Whenever I fire up the TV app with my ATI 9600 I get a black screen. I'm running the latest WB 5 beta (from Nov 18th) and V9.08 of the ATI application. I'm pretty sure the TV app worked with the first beta of WB5, but I can't remember if I tried it or not. I know it works with the older WB4 stable version. More info....looks like it's only a problem with transparent or per pixel apha blended skins...older skins don't cause the problem.
windowblinds
5,596 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
I had to add the "Guide+" software (aka: PGETV.EXE) to the list of per application exclusion. But I did not have to add the TV software (aka ATIMMC.EXE)
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

This sounds like a driver problem.

I would reboot & see if it continues.  If it does then reinstall the drivers and see if that helps as sometimes the ATI drivers do not install correctly the first time.

Fences - Organize your desktop icons today!
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
i had the same issue with my ATI tuner card. after the newest MMC, which i think is 9.06, wouldn't work correctly no matter what i did. i uninstalled everything, including the Guide+ software, and installed MMC 9.02 and it's working as it should. i don't have Guide+ but i seldomly used it before so i won't miss it.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Reboot didn't help....I notice if I use a non-tranparent, non per-pixel skin, and start the app, it works fine....then I can tell WB to load a transparent skin and the picture still displays, but if I then shut down the TV app and restart it, the picture is black again.

I don't use the Guide plus s/w...I could try excluding the MMC (if it's not already). I hate the thought of re-installing ATI s/w, it's such a PITA...they don't make it very easy to do it right.

Glad to see it's not just me seeing this...
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
well, the method i used was working earlier. right now, i can't get rid of the black screen unless i follow Fred's instructions given in post #4.
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
Same problem here but with CTPvr with both my Hauppauge PVR-150 and PVR-250.  In fullscreen tv is alright but when switching to windowed I get a black screen. It seems to be related to certain transparent skins, mostly the ones with the transparent display list.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This sounds like the overlay colour is not being set correctly by the app.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
After searching the Rage3d forums for similar topics, I came across a suggestion that has seemed to work.

Call up the Catalyst Control Center, and in the "advanced" view, graphics settings tab, open the SMARTGART item. Then under the AGP Settings section turn off the Fast Write option and reboot.

I've tried the MMC TV app on and off for a few days now with transparent WB skins (and latest RC build of WB) and haven't seen the black screen or a freeze up of the video since.

Not sure what turning that option off has done to my graphics performance, but I'm not a big gamer anyway...and everything else still seems to be fine.