Video Playback Problems

[darkmatter]

Hello,

I have tried a number of Linux distributions and have the same video playback problem in all of them.
Would like to get to the bottom of it so I can use Linux instead of windows.
When playing any video file (xvid and h.264) or dvd the video breaks up into big rectangles with each rectangle playing its part of the video but they are out of sync, sometimes it happens like a line of the rectangles going up and down the screen. it is hard to explain but it looks like multiple TV's on a wall.
My computer system is a 3ghz quad core Intel processor with 4gig of 1600mhz ram and an Nvidia GTX 460 graphics card.
I have used the non-free Nvidia driver as well as the free one (whos name escapes me).

I have used other processors and graphic cards and get the same result. It happens in normal 1:1 ratio and fullscreen.
I have used just about every video player available and it happens with every one.

I can only assume that it is a problem with my hardware, but it does not happen in windows.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[telenux]

I guess you either gave up or solved it.

I would guess it's the video driver. With a GTX 460, you might as well use the binary driver. Google the install with your system and search the forum for 'nvidia driver' with your card to see what ppl say. I haven't installed a nvidia driver in a while but the process should be improving (hopefully). If you have to do it manually, there's a few steps you need to do. Anything that is done incorrectly often leaves a faulty driver and you will have problems.

It also would explain why you have no problem in Windows.

[darkmatter]

Thanks for replying, I have upgraded my graphics card to an ATI 6870 but have not had the time to try linux again. I'll give it a go this week and report back. Am I correct in thinking that ATI's linux support is better than nvidia's?
I always installed the nvidia driver by ports (in FreeBSD) or via, whichever linux version I am using, own installer.

[darkmatter]

Finally had time to experiment with Linux and BSD's and the problem has disappeared on the new card. Must have been a flakey Nvidia card.

[vinny7]

Our video wall is not working properly. Can anyone help?
video wall processor