Colored Bands Viewing AVI Files

[w6rlf]

I've been converting wmv files to avi using various codecs. On two computers everything looks great; on our main home computer there are multi-colored bands across the video. Clearly it's an issue with that computer:

Is it a processor speed issue?

Is it a video software issue?

Is it something else?

I'm using the same player (real player sp) on all computers.

Thanks,

Paul

[redwudz]

Does it do it will all players and all video? You might try VLC as it uses it owns codecs. That might give you a clue if it's related to the player. It could also be your video card drivers. Most players use overlay mode, which is different than your desktop display mode. You might re-install your video card drivers.

[jagabo]

What is the frame size? Many codecs and video cards don't like multiples of 2. Use multiples of 4 instead. For example, use 640x480 instead of 642x482.

[w6rlf]

Thanks to both of you.

1. The frame size is 720x480, so it is divisible by 4

2. Dumb question: Where do I find the video driver version? I assume it's somewhere in the control panel (system icon?)

Paul

[jagabo]

Computer Managment -> Device Manager -> Display Adapaters -> Driver:

[w6rlf]

Thanks; but where is ""Computer Management"? I'm pretty familiar with Control Panel but I don't think it's there...

Paul

[w6rlf]

P.S. I believe it's in XP. I don't have XP.

Thanks.

[w6rlf]

OOPS!!!

Of course I have XP. I was thinking of Vista.

Paul

[w6rlf]

I found it. Sorry for all the hassle.

Paul

[guns1inger]

What colour depth do you have your display set to ? Right-click somewhere on the desktop and select Properties, then click on the Settings tab. Make sure Colour Quality is set to at least 24 bit, and not 16 bit.

[jagabo]

Banding (posterization) from a low color depth display would look something like this:



The top image is a normal 24 bit display, the bottom is posterized because of a lower color depth.

[w6rlf]

Thanks everyone for all your help. My problem was actually horizontal bands across the screen.

I solved the problem by finding the right conversion mode. FWIW, it gives me the best results I've gotten converting wmv files. The program I've used for several years is "Smart Creator DVD Pro."

I've been creating simple slide shows with music in Windows Movie Maker (720x480 res), converting the files to wmv in that program.

Using the avi option in Smart Creator, I configured the codec for highest quality. The result looks good on computer screen and wide-screen tv, and appears to work on all dvd players. The files are relatively big, but these are short programs (3-7 minutes).

Paul