Video playback 101

[crabby3]

Sometimes when I watch a video online there are a lot of black-squares blocking my view.  They seem to come and go, in the same place or at the same time, with each viewing.

This Facebook video is a prime example. 

What's the story... is it my computer or something else beyond my control? 

[Renegade]

I couldn't see any video at your link. Anyways...

It sounds like a driver issue. I hope someone better versed than me chimes in, but it probably wouldn't hurt to try updating your video drivers.

[crabby3]

I couldn't see any video at your link. Anyways...

It sounds like a driver issue. I hope someone better versed than me chimes in, but it probably wouldn't hurt to try updating your video drivers.

Hi Renegade, don't know why you couldn't see the video but, I'm fairly new to Facebook and don't really understand much of it yet.

I updated all of my drivers about 4 months ago... I guess I need to do it again?

[Renegade]

Hi Renegade, don't know why you couldn't see the video but, I'm fairly new to Facebook and don't really understand much of it yet.

I updated all of my drivers about 4 months ago... I guess I need to do it again?

Facebook screws around with URLs in the most obscene ways (similar to Google), so it's not a surprise there.

I really don't know what the problem is for you there. I *DO* know that the general category can be attributed to video drivers. HOWEVER... I also know that different software that is running and having different devices connected can also monkey things up there and make it look like the video drivers.

If you have any devices attached, try unplugging the ones you don't use/need for a bit and seeing if that helps. Trial and error works quite well.

That being said... I do hope someone that is better with hardware than me chimes in...

[crabby3]

@Renegade

What do you get when you click the link?

[Renegade]

I just got a regular FB page.

[crabby3]

I just got a regular FB page.

Not sure what a 'regular FB page' looks like. When I visit I either have to login to view the content or I get the page I clicked instantly. 

I guess a regular page is blank? 

[crabby3]

I updated all of my drivers about 4 months ago... I guess I need to do it again?

My computer manufacturer (Acer) has finally provided an Automatic Update download (as of today it's highlighted in red on this page) and it appears that all of my drivers are still current. 

So I guess this black-squares-in-online-videos-thing isn't driver-related.

Sometimes a solution can be found by using The Process of Elimination. 

[Tinman57]

  Your best bet:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1

[Target]

it's not a bandwidth issue is it?

[crabby3]

Thanks to all for your input and advice.

It appears this was a Non Compos Mentis issue on my part. All I had to do was click the HD button at the bottom of the Facebook Video screen and the black squares or checkering vanished.

Though I'm not sure if I turned the HD on or off. 

[Tinman57]

It appears this was a Non Compos Mentis issue on my part. All I had to do was click the HD button at the bottom of the Facebook Video screen and the black squares or checkering vanished.

Though I'm not sure if I turned the HD on or off. 

DOH!