Video display problem

[RoliX]

Hi,

One of my friends has problem with displaying video cutscenes. If he uses direct3D 9, the video has only sound and no picture in fullscreen mode(in windowed mode, its ok).

If he uses DirectDraw5, the video works fine, but in that way, the engine does not "smooth scaled sprites".

So, we need the video to work with direct3D. He tried tons of video formats, and all has the same problem. Audio ok, no picture. He also tested on 2 different computers, and the problem remained.

Anybody has any idea?

[TheRoger]

I had the same problem. Though I used DirectDraw5 for solution.

[Sephiroth]

I'm wondering if you guys have the latest graphic driver for your card, and if you're using the new version of the AGS Editor. Have you tried re-importing the video? Does it play normally in full screen outside AGS (in your media player)?

Also have you tried to import another random video in d3d to see if the error comes from your video itself?

[RoliX]

As I said, we tried to import the video multiple times. Also tried every single video formats and codecs that exist in the universe... And same problem... Anyway, all the videos we tried to use are playable outside AGS. Even windows media player can play it in a pentium 2 comupter, I think...

The video driver is ok, I think. There aren't any problem with any video, or with any other game what play a cutscene video. I really don't know why AGS so mean in this case

And honestly, even if I tweak my computer as hell, the problem won't be solved. Because my players will face the problem anyway.

I would like an "ultimate" solution for video cutscenes. I would like my players to see and enjoy the cutscene videos without "tweaking" their computers. Like other games... I don't have to do anything special to see the need for speed cutscenes, for example... Is it possible in AGS?

[Sephiroth]

I've run a quick test and didn't get any problem with NVidia or ATI, fullscreen D3D, by using this command with a random anime video I had (.avi), I put it in compiled folder of the game, but can be any subfolder.

PlayVideo("agstest1.avi", eVideoSkipAnyKey, 1);   //1 for fullscreen/stretch/black borders

I'm no video editing expert, but could it be that you had some weird/unusual settings in the video maker you used?
Also you seem to have only tried with YOUR video, does it work with another one you didn't create yourself?

The only other thing I can think of is an outdated DirectX version.

[Khris]

Try .ogv or .flv; those are even included in the exe.

[RoliX]

Honestly, the one who faced with this problem is not me, but my friend. I think he created the video with 3D studio max, don't know what settings he used. I messaged him to try convert to ogv and flv, and see what happens... I also told him to try the cutscene with other videos.

He tried on 2 totally different PCs, and the problam is exactly the same. So it can't be a coincidence :/

[Khris]

Maybe both PCs are missing the same codec or something like that.

My practical answer would be: screw smooth character scaling.