Second monitor not working properly

[AJProch1]

Hi. I have a desktop computer with a Radeon HD 4350 video card. I have my main monitor on my desk (Compaq W17q) plugged in by VGA. Then I have a second monitor (NEC MultiSync LCD 1860NX) plugged in through the HDMI port on my card, with an HDMI to DVI converter on the monitor (since the monitor has no HDMI port, and DVI cables are much more expensive than a converter).

I have use the second monitor to watch TV on with WMC (i have a TV Tuner in my computer), but when I play the videos, the second monitor (NEC) stutters and will have both vertical and horizontal lines of two halves of the screen being "out of sync" (not exactly sure how else to describe this part).

I'm not sure why. My video card does support multiple monitors, and I don't believe its an issue with the converter on the second monitor, because when I set the NEC as my main monitor and play videos on it, it doesn't have the same issue. It's only when its the secondary monitor.

All help is appreciated!
Thanks

 

[larkspur]

I'm not sure why. My video card does support multiple monitors, and I don't believe its an issue with the converter on the second monitor, because when I set the NEC as my main monitor and play videos on it, it doesn't have the same issue. It's only when its the secondary monitor.

Based on that paragraph I'd agree its probably not the adapter. You aren't playing separate videos on both monitors right? That might be too much for your 4350 to handle. Or are you displaying the same video replicated on both monitors? That might be a driver issue where your card is trying to send the NEC a resolution it can't handle (thus the weird lines?).

Have you ever updated the graphics drivers on your computer? You may try going to AMD's website and picking up the latest drivers. Your issue may have been addressed by a driver update especially if you've never updated them. Try a driver update first.

 

[AJProch1]

I update the drivers pretty regularly, but I'll check for a new driver update just in case.

No, I'm not playing the video on both/separate videos on both monitors. The main monitor is just sitting idle (no windows open, just showing the desktop and taskbar) while the second monitor is playing the video. Both monitors are set to their native resolutions (1440x900 main monitor, 1280x1024 secondary monitor). Everything looks completely fine on the second monitor, it just has occasional skips in the video and stuttering (like it will "freeze" for 1 second, and then it will show 2 seconds worth of video in 1 second)

 

[larkspur]

Hmmmm, if you have regularly updated the drivers then a driver update is unlikely to help you. The latest drivers usually only affect the most recent generation or two. And the 4350 is a couple back so...

You could try getting a cheap DVI cable just in case it turns out to be the adapter, but it's starting to sound like WMC (which I am not familiar with) might have a problem with your graphics drivers when running on the secondary monitor. You have your desktop "extended" over both monitors right? Have you tried playing videos on the 2nd monitor using a different video player? Like maybe DVD playing software like PowerDVD or something like that? I'm curious as to whether you would see the stutter there too.

You may try asking this question in a WMC forum just to see if anyone's had your experience.

Edit: Since you are having the problem with WMC, can you update WMC to the latest version? Like I said, I'm not familiar with it, but I'd try updating that.

 

[AJProch1]

WMC is Windows Media Center and is integrated into Windows 7, so it can't be upgraded (any upgrades for it would be through Windows Update, but that would mostly be "security updates" and that sort of thing).

I tried playing a 1080p video that I have on my hard drive (music video) and it didn't seem to stutter. I also went on youtube and played a 720p video and it also didn't seem to stutter.

Finally, I went into WMC and this time I tried playing live TV (normally I watch recorded shows) and it, again, didn't seem to stutter. I also tried watching a DIFFERENT recorded show than I was having the issue with (it was one show that I was watching that seemed to have the issue) and it wasn't stuttering.

It seems to me like it is just this ONE show that stutters like that. Not even the channel, since I tried watching another show on that channel and it didn't have an issue. And again, on my main monitor, that show doesn't stutter. But it is only that ONE show, on the secondary monitor. So I'm stumped as to what the issue is.

I guess I can live with it just being that one show.

Thanks for trying to help me!

 

[larkspur]

I guess I can live with it just being that one show.

You're likely having a problem with a particular codec (a formula that is installed on your computer that tells your computer how to decode and play different types of videos). This is why it only stutters on a particular recorded show. In case you are feeling very adventurous, check out this guide to advanced codec tweaking in WMC: http://experts.windows.com/frms/windows_entertainment_and_connected_home/f/114/t/78749.aspx

I don't recommend you do that stuff, its a bit deep for most users, and therefore it has the potential to create problems. But if you really, really want that show to play properly, messing around with codecs is probably your only choice. Good luck!