iTunes displays only static when playing a movie

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iTunes displays only static when playing a movie

I have iTunes version 12.12.7.1 installed on my Lenovo P14s laptop. I've recently reinstalled Windows 11 from scratch, ensuring I have current drivers, etc. I haven't attempted to watch a movie on the PC since early fall, but it was working then. I was using external monitors then and I am now. When the movie starts, multi-colored pixilations appear on both monitors, completely distorting the image - the best I can describe it is that it looks like a very grainy primary color posterization of the display. I can guess where the controls are, roughly, so I can stop the movie. Once I stop the movie and close iTunes, everything returns to normal. Audio is not affected.

Both monitors (Samsung) are running at 1920x1080, 60hz, which has worked in the past. Any thoughts, suggestions, software patches (I've seen other comments about this issue)?

EDIT TO ADD: I just installed Amazon Prime Video to confirm that streaming video does work - it does. This leads me to believe that there's an issue with iTunes.

Windows

Posted on Feb 13, 2023 10:11 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Rob_H1

Community Specialist

Feb 15, 2023 10:46 AM in response to rvmeder

Hey there rvmeder,

Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities. We're happy to provide some assistance.

To help us isolate this issue, please let us know the following:

Does this occur without using the external monitors and playing it through the laptop screen?
Does this occur with specific movies or any movie you try to play?
Let's make sure your PC is up-to-date. If it is updated, let's restart your device. Restarting your device and making sure it is updated can resolve many unexpected issues.

Keep us posted.

Have a great day!

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Answer 2

rvmeder Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 22, 2023 04:00 PM in response to Rob_H1

Sorry this took so long. For what it's worth, I'm an old tech head, so bear this in mind when reading my answers below:

No. Also, when I plug an external monitor directly into the HDMI port of the laptop, it plays on both the internal and external monitors just fine. This occurs when I attempt to play it through the docking station on one of two external monitors. My configuration is that one monitor duplicates the laptop desktop, the other is an extension. The external monitors are both Samsung C27F390 displays at 1920x1080 60Hz, which matches the laptop screen's resolution. The system display settings reflect that. Also, I've set up the laptop to work with the lid down, using the two monitors as my primary - in effect, I treat it as a "portable desktop" machine. Finally, the docking station is Lenovo's, matches the laptop, and does have the latest drivers.
This happens with any movie, ranging from "Lawrence of Arabia" to "Marty" to "Apollo 11."
Don't take this the wrong way, but yes, I did all of that before coming here for assistance, having recently rebuilt the machine due to a corrupted driver and having run a surface scan and DNIS verification.

Please note, before I rebuilt the machine, this was not an issue running in this configuration. This only occurred after I loaded the latest version of iTunes from the Microsoft Store after rebuilding the machine. Also note, all of the other iTunes functions work fine - audio files play correctly and motion picture soundtracks are not corrupted.

As an aside, graphics intensive programs such as Photoshop and Premiere work just fine - this is why the issue is so frustrating.

Finally, anticipating a suggestion, I do not wish to plug one monitor into the HDMI port of the laptop - this is why I have a docking station, so I can simply use the Lighting Port of the laptop when it's on my desk.

Thanks in advance - any thoughts?

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Answer 3

Chris_V89

Community Specialist

Feb 22, 2023 04:17 PM in response to rvmeder

rvmeder,

Thanks so much for providing those additional details.

Going forward, since the issue doesn't occur when an external monitor is connected directly to your laptop, or when playing a movie directly from your laptop screen, it is possible that there may be an issue with the dock you're using.

While we understand you did not have any issues with this same set up in the past, it may be helpful to test the issue with different cables, and if possible test the issue with a new docking station all together.

Keep us updated on what you find.

Take care!

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iTunes displays only static when playing a movie

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