The System Tray

The System Tray area is an area found at the bottom right corner of your computer’s screen. It contains the clock as well as notification icons that “notify” you about certain settings. For example, you might see the speaker icon that notifies you that your sound is turned on or off. Another common notification icon is the network icon that notifies you if your computer is connected to the Internet or not. Icons periodically appear notifying you that an update has arrived. Other icons provide you with shortcuts to different features. For example, if you have a laptop, an icon for your touchpad may appear in the System Tray. Double-clicking it would then launch a properties dialog box where you can adjust its settings.

Notice the pointer (it looks like a “less than” sign) at the far left of the System Tray area? If you click that, you’ll see “hidden” icons. These are icons that are not active at the moment. If you right-click a blank area of the System Tray area, you can customize the notification icons. Similarly, right-clicking an icon itself will open a menu offering several choices.

The Exif Launcher Icon

Now, about that mysterious Exif Launcher icon. This is an icon associated with Fuji digital cameras and their “Fine Pix Viewer” software. When you connect your camera to your computer, the Exif Launcher enables the Fine Pix Viewer software to launch automatically. This makes it easy to download your photos from your camera.

If the icon bothers you, you have several options. First, you can right-click a blank area of the System Tray and choose “Customize Notification Icons” and then set the Exif Launcher icon to remain “hidden when inactive.” Another option is to go into the Fine Pix Viewer software and find the Settings > Exif Launcher Settings section. From there, click “Do not run at restart.” If adjusting the settings doesn’t do the trick (it should),  you can always remove Exif Launcher from automatic startup by removing its icon from your system’s Startup folder.

Keep in mind that if you remove Exif Launcher from automatic startup, you will need to manually launch the Fine Pix Viewer manually when you want to connect your camera.

Error Code C00D11BB

I checked with Microsoft and found some information about the error code C00D11BB. It is related to Windows Media Player’s inability to play a particular file, but then you already knew that. The information that I found went on to explain that a specific protocol is either not supported by the Windows Media Player or server. This means that the problem could be on either your end or the server hosting the video. If the problem lies with the Windows Media Player, you can take some steps to try to resolve the problem but if the problem lies on the server’s end, you may not be able to do much about it. First, let’s look at how to enable protocols in Windows Media Player before examining potential solutions for accessing hosted videos.

Configuring Windows Media Player Protocols

Go ahead and launch Windows Media Player and then go to the Tools menu item. If you can’t see the menu list, right-click a blank area of the black bar (where you see the words “now playing,” “library,” and “rip”), and choose “Show classic menus.” After clicking Tools, click on Options and then click the Network tab. Make sure checkmarks are present in the Protocols for MMS URL as well as in Allow the Player to Receive Multicast Streams.

While you’re in this area, look at the HTTP and RTSP protocols and see if they are set to use a proxy. The HTTP protocol should be set to use the proxy settings of your Web browser. By default, the RTSP is set to none. Try changing it to “auto detect” if none of the other tips work.  

Firewall Issues

Windows Firewall may be blocking UDP and multicast streams, so go into Windows Firewall, click the Exceptions tab, and add Windows Media Player to the list.

Accessing Videos through Open URL

If you are receiving the error code C00D11BB when using the Windows Media Player’s File > Open URL command, then it’s possible that the error lies on the server. Windows Media Player supports MMS, HTTP, and RTSP protocols with the syntaxes as follows:

• MMS://server/filename (with a multimedia file extension such as .mp3. or .wmv)
• MMS://server/sami.asf?SAMI=http://server/sami/sami_demo.smi (SAMI file)
• RTSP://server/filename
• HTTP://server/filename

When the error code is generated after using the Open URL, double check to see if you have entered the URL correctly. If so, try using a different protocol. For example, instead of RTSP, enter HTTP. If none of these tweaks work, then it’s likely a problem on the server’s end.

While the computer has a built-in TV tuner, you may need to connect to an actual box in order to receive all of the HD channels offered by your cable company or you might need Cox Cable to give your computer access to the “locked” HD content. According to HP’s Viewing TV in Media Center Guide, “HDTV content providers protect their content to prevent them from being copied and played back on other systems.”

In fact, if you were to plug in a television to the cable line without a cable box, the television would likely only receive the basic channels just as your computer’s TV tuner is doing. By equipping each television in the house with a cable box, you are able to enjoy all of the channels in your cable package on each television. Since the computer is going to be another television in your home, you can either use the “basic” cable that comes in through the cable line or you can “unlock” the additional content by using a cable box.

Try connecting your computer using one of your existing cable boxes to see if the connection via the box solves the problem. This will involve moving your computer temporarily and unhooking your cable from your television. If your computer’s tuner recognizes all HD channels offered, then you’ll need to call Cox Cable and explain your situation. The cable company may have a better solution than equipping the computer with a box of its own. For example, they might be able to register you computer as an authorized system to access the content or provide you with some sort of unlock code.

Now that more computers are being built with TV tuners and preinstalled with Media Center, cable companies will eventually recognize that their users need alternative ways to access their content. As an early adopter, you may have to settle for a cable box until a better solution is developed.

There are so many things that can affect a DVD performance in a computer - without more information, I’m going to give you a list of the most obvious possibilities.

DVD-ROM Configuration

It’s possible that your DVD ROM drive is configured for a different region. DVDs come coded for specific regions and if it doesn’t match the region that is on your computer, the movie won’t run. To check this, go to Start and then right click on My Computer. Go to Properties and find the Hardware tab and go to Device Manager. You should see the DVD/CD ROM drive in the list. Right click on it and choose Properties. Find the DVD region tab and make any changes you need. Know that you may only be able to make 5 changes to the region before it is set and you can’t undo it. Look for a comment about how many changes you have left and don’t change the region unless you have to.

DVD Decoders

It’s possible you need a DVD Decoder. You can run the Video Decoder Checkup Utility from Microsoft which will tell you what you have installed on your machine. If you need a decoder in order to watch movies on your machine, two to try are NVIDIA DVD Decoder or the Roxio CinePlayer. Do you have a program installed that will let you watch movies on your computer? One like Windows Media Player or RealPlayer is needed in order to watch DVDs.

Drivers

Drivers are files that control internal and external devices on a computer. If you need a new driver or something happens to your old driver, you may not be able to play DVDs properly. If you have your original CD, you can go to Device Manager as you did above, uninstall the old driver and reinstall the new one from the CD. If you don’t have the CD, find the manufacturer in Device Manager and go to that website to download the newest drivers. Most manufacturers make it very easy to find the driver download button on their site. You can also get a program such as Driver Detective to do it for you automatically.

Damaged Disc

It’s possible that the disc is damaged, particularly if you can play some DVDs and not others. Computers and stand-alone DVD players read the information differently so even damaged discs that can be played in other DVD players may not work in your computer. The only cure for this is to get a new disc.

Hopefully, one of these will solve your problem. If you need more help, let us know what is happening when you try to play the disc - are you getting any error messages? Does the disc just spin and isn’t recognized? Listing some of the symptoms will help us narrow down the problem.

The first order of business is to get the videos from your camera and onto your computer. From there, you’ll need to burn to DVD, assuming that you have a DVD burner of course. So, let’s start with the transfer process.

Downloading Videos from Digital Cameras

If you have a standard digital camera with video capabilities, the process will be similar to downloading your photos. Digital cameras save video clips as files, often with the .mpg file extension. So, if you normally transfer your photos by connecting your digital camera to your computer using a USB cable and importing them using Windows Explorer, you’d use the same process to transfer the video files. Likewise, if your computer has a memory card reader, you’d simply insert the memory card into the reader and copy and paste your files into a folder on your hard drive. In addition, your camera may have come with software for importing files.

I find that using Windows to import files is the easiest. In my case, my camera uses a Sony Memory Stick and my laptop has a compatible card reader built right in. I simply insert the stick and the Auto Play wizard appears offering me several import choices. I usually select “Import Pictures Using Windows.” If you chose this option, be sure to click the Options link which will give you options such as: Prompt for tag on import, always erase after importing, rotate pictures on import, and Open Photo Gallery after import.
If the Auto Play / Import Pictures Using Windows box doesn’t appear, you can manually launch Windows Photo Gallery, which is built into Windows Vista, and use the File > Import from Scanner or Camera option. Select Import Photos and Videos, choose your camera, and click Import.  

Burning the Videos to DVD

Once you have the videos on your computer, the next step is to burn them to DVD. Of course, you may want to view the videos first for quality and content as well as consider editing them. While I have used several third party video editing programs, the built-in Windows Movie Maker works just fine for basic editing and DVD burning. You can use it to edit your videos, add titles, add transitions, add music, and other effects.

Once you’ve fine-tuned your video, you can use Movie Maker to “publish” it. In this case, you want to burn it to DVD, so go ahead and save your work and then choose Publish to > DVD in the Task Pane. This will launch another built-in program, Windows DVD maker. Select your project from the list, select your DVD drive letter, and click the Options link for further options. Here you can change the playback settings, aspect ratio, and television format (PAL or NTSC).

In addition, you can choose the DVD burner speed. I recommend choosing the slowest speed possible for best results. In fact, when you’re editing videos, I recommend closing everything running on your computer with the exception of essential programs like your computer security products. Video editing requires massive amounts of system resources and when resources are in low supply, noticeable glitches appear in the video or the burning can fail.

Once you’ve made your selections, click the Next button and create the DVD’s menu (if you opted for a menu earlier). Click the Burn button to burn your video to a blank DVD.

If you have a pre-Vista computer, you may need to invest in software. In general, after importing your video files, you can use a disc burning program like Nero to create a DVD. Make sure that you choose a video format, not a data format if you use a disc burning program.

Configuring Dual Monitors

The configuration you need to sort out to use two monitors depends more on your computer and operating system than on the programs you want to use, like Virtual DJ. First of all, your computer itself will need to support dual monitors, as many newer models do without any additional hardware. You can check if your computer has one or more monitor connections on the back of the PC - the VGA, HDMI or DVI connectors are large, with screw pieces on each side and are the port used to plug in the monitor. If you have more than one of these ports, then you can try connecting a second monitor. If not, you will need to see about outfitting your computer with a video adapter to share the one port you do have. In this case, take your computer specifications to a computer shop and consult with a technician. If you’re using a laptop, connection the second monitor to the VGA, HDMI or DVI on the back should be no problem.

Adjust Display Settings XP - Extend Desktop

Once connected, you need to configure the two monitors. Reboot your computer so that it can recognize the new monitor, and then adjust your display settings in Windows XP like this:

1. Click Start, then Control Panel
2. Choose Appearances and Themes, then Display
3. A Display Properties dialog box will open, choose the Settings tab
4. Click to select the monitor icon numbered 2 - you can drag and drop to position them in alignment with the physical monitors
5. Then, click to check the box beside Extend My Windows Desktop onto this Monitor
6. Click Apply, then OK

Adjust Display Settings Vista - Extend Desktop

If you are using Windows Vista, follow these directions to adjust the display settings:

1. Connect the monitor, then reboot the computer
2. Right click the desktop, choose Personalize
3. At the bottom, click to open the Display settings
4. Drag and drop to positions the numbered monitor icons
5. Click to choose monitor 2 - the additional monitor
6. Click to check the box beside Extend the Desktop onto this Monitor
7. Click Apply, then OK

Drag and Drop Programs

Now you can drag and drop your programs across the extended desktop to one or the other monitor. This should allow you to display whatever program combinations you want. Good luck!

Two Laptops, Two Operating Systems

Unfortunately, with the system you’re describing, this isn’t possible. When two different laptops are programmed with their own operating systems, as yours are, it is as though they have two separate brains, and you can’t force them to use only one. Therefore, you can’t get them to do the same thing at the same time using the resources of only one.

Wireless and Wired Connections

To watch the same movie at the same time, you need to use one of your laptops and attach an external monitor. The catch with this will be that you need to use a physical connection to connect the laptop and a monitor. In this case, the wireless connection that you use to connect to the Internet has nothing to do with the computers’ ability to network or communicate. If you want them to share a video that one laptop is accessing from its DVD drive, you need to connect a cable to project the image to another monitor, and an Internet or wireless network connection isn’t necessary. There is no way to project a program running on one computer to another wirelessly.

Using an External Monitor

Theoretically, as long as the components are compatible, you can use most desktop computer monitors or a TV set as the second monitor. You can connect the monitor as an additional screen to the computer that is playing the media. You will need a monitor cable. If you’re using a desktop monitor, you should be able to use its cord to connect it to the back of the laptop. If you’re using a TV, you will need to go to a computer shop with your laptop and get a cable that is able to fit both. A technician there will be able to help you.

Remote Assistance

Windows Vista comes with a built-in tool called Remote Assistance that may work. This tool is generally used for troubleshooting another user’s computer remotely. It allows one computer to connect to the other to view its screen and control its keyboard and mouse. In theory, you could connect both computers and both will see the DVD playing onscreen. However, if the computers are in different rooms, the remotely connected computer will not hear the audio.

Copy your DVD?

Your other option is to make a copy of the DVD, which is obviously only possible if you made the movie yourself, otherwise copyright laws prevent you from duplicating it. I hope this is helpful, and that you can get your movie to play across more than one monitor. Good luck!

Troubleshooting Video Errors

There are a few things that you can do to troubleshoot video errors. Depending on your operating system and the media player that you are using, you should start with some updates and upgrades. Having the latest software on your computer is important because manufacturers and developers issue patches and software updates that your computer needs to stay compatible with both online video sources and links. If you are trying to open videos that were made using new technology with an older program that doesn’t understand the new technology, it makes sense that it isn’t going to work.

Update Windows XP or Vista, Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player

First things first, get the latest updates for your Windows operating system with Windows Updates. If you are running Windows XP, there are three Service Packs available with timely updates from Microsoft and, if you are running Vista, there is already one Service Pack available. Use this link to visit Windows Updates and you can also set Updates to run automatically on a schedule to keep your system up to date.

As well as Windows Updates, you should also update your version of Internet Explorer, for the latest updates to your web browser. If you are using Windows Media Player, there is the link to get the latest version of the media program. If you are using something other than WMP, visit the website for the program and get the latest releases and updates.

Install Java

These software updates alone might be enough to sort out your viewing problems, but if you are still having trouble there are some more advanced software applications that you might be missing. Sites like YouTube use Adobe Flash Player - which is a graphics program. Adobe programs are especially sensitive to older versions left behind on your computer, so you need to properly uninstall all previous versions before downloading and installing a new one.

Here is the link to the Adobe page where you can download the Adobe Flash Player Uninstaller. Click the link to download the program, then run it on your computer and follow all the direction. When it’s finished, reboot your computer and then use this link to download and install the latest version of Adobe Flash Player.

I hope this takes care of your video problem. If not, write us again, let us know what operating system and programs you are using, what you’ve tried and what problems you are having specifically. Good luck!

Black and White Output Problem

A black and white signal problem to the TV is a common error when connecting a video card and cloning a computer monitor image, and likely isn’t related to your NVidia card specifically. One simple fix that a lot of users report success with is buying an inexpensive 4 pin S-Video to composite RCA cable. Even though switching from an S-video connection to NTSC didn’t help, the composite cable might. It is important to note here that it is only a composite cable that you need here, not a composite adapter.

About Connection Cables

S-video cables transmit four different signals. In many cases, televisions aren’t able to make sense of all that data and some features - in your case color - are lost in transmission. You can resolve this issue with a composite cable, or by using a TV that is compatible with S-video

Adjust the NVidia Display Settings

Whether or not you decide to adjust the cable adapter, another possibility is that changing the NVidia settings will tell the computer to load the color. You might be able to adjust the computer’s signal transmission in the display properties rather than using a different cord, or you might have luck using a composite cable and adjusting the settings. Try these steps to alter the configuration:

1. Right click the desktop and choose Properties/Display Properties
2. Choose Settings, then Advanced
3. Find the NVidia tab and choose View Display Settings
4. Now, right click the entry for your TV and choose Select TV Format
5. Select Advanced
6. Now you’ll see listings for the Signal Format, such as PAL, NTSC and so on, click Apply
7. If the monitor doesn’t show the TV in color, then go back and select Video Output Format
8. Find the listing that says Auto-Select and change it to Composite
9. Click Apply again and the TV should be in color

I hope these tips help. It is most likely that switching the cable and adjusting the settings are all that’s required, but if you are still having problems, write us again and let us know what you’ve tried and we can take it from there. Good luck!

DVD Regions

DVDs are made for “DVD regions” with dedicated regions as follows:

0 - No Region Coding

1 - USA and Canada

2 - Europe, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Arabia, Japan and South Africa

3 - Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Borneo and Indonesia

4 - Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America

5 - India, Africa, Russia, and former USSR countries

6 - China

7 - Unused

8 - Cruise Ships and airlines

9 - Expansion

Blu-ray’s introduction has simplified regions somewhat with just three global regions for Blu-Ray players (A, B, and C). Since we’re talking DVDs, we’ll skip the details on Blu-ray.

NTSC vs. PAL vs. SECAM

The next issue in the equation is the video format. Three main formats for television and video are used around the world: NTSC, PAL, and SECAM. For example, in the United States, the video format is NTSC. In the UK, it is PAL. These formats are not compatible without conversion. As you may have noticed, each DVD region is made up of different countries. So a DVD created for UK users would need to be a Region 2 disc in the PAL format. However, just because a disc is Region 2, it might not work in the UK if the disc was designed for Japan which uses the NTSC video format.

Changing DVD Regions on a Computer

As you know, you can change the DVD region of your computer’s DVD drive. However, there’s a limit to this. Usually, the drive can be changed five times before becoming permanently locked on the fifth one. In your case it sounds as if your drive is locked on Region 2.

Since your Region 2 discs are not playing, check to find out if the discs are NTSC or PAL. Is your laptop NTSC or PAL? If the two formats don’t match, you’ll need to buy a NTSC to PAL or a PAL to NTSC converter for your laptop.