VLC doesn't maximize properly - blue frames

[erve02d0]

When I maximize the VLC screen, i.e. double click inside the VLC window, VLC does expand to full screen, but everything outside of the original size becomes blue. How do I fix this? Also, the actual "movie frame" covers everything else, i.e. if I open the terminal and it intersects with VLC, the "movie frame" is always in front.

Problem is with an LL-only desktop (and LL-only laptop, but that's not as important). Hooking up the screen (brand: HP) to my five years old Windows 7 laptop it works flawlessly.



(Bonus question: where do screenshots go?)

[aus9]

Hi

screenshots first
/home/yourname/Pictures

(2) There are different ways of maximising VLC and am not sure which method you used so let me reveal mine without screenshots

VLC open  and use the maximum button leaves you with a frame similar to the frame for your file manager......I call this NORMAL MAX Screen

Next press or toggle F11 again and again .....removes the frame but leaves you with controls...or back to NORMAL

Next fifth button from LH side is the max screen....to the left of the equalizer button
----pressing it will max with no frames and no controls

Next hover the mouse near bottom edge bring back up a smaller control panel and you can then toggle the button again to bring back you to NORMAL MAX screen

let me know if you understood any of that.

#  I am geoblocked to HBO and it may have a setting I am not aware of

PS I use mtpaint to take screenshots as I can then crop resize and convert etc but I won't attempt to do this until I see what you understand of above.
mtpaint can take a time delayed shot which helps if I need to hover over a control etc.

[JmaCWQ]

In the VLC player have a look in Tools > Preferences select the 'All' button down the bottom under 'Show Settings', then look in 'Video' for the setting 'Video Auto Scaling', make sure it's checked, click Save, that's the one that controls if the video expands to the whole screen or stays at 100% of it's resolution size when in fullscreen mode.
Screenshots by default go where mentioned by Aus9 above if they're taken by the system, with different media players those settings can be found in the player's settings.
With the system's screenshot function you get the option to choose the path during the save process, I usually land mine on the desktop, easy to find  ;D

[erve02d0]

Next hover the mouse near bottom edge bring back up a smaller control panel and you can then toggle the button again to bring back you to NORMAL MAX screen

let me know if you understood any of that.

Yeah all but that last one. All the different ways yield the same result - blue.

#  I am geoblocked to HBO and it may have a setting I am not aware of

It's a downloaded mp4 file

[erve02d0]

In the VLC player have a look in Tools > Preferences select the 'All' button down the bottom under 'Show Settings', then look in 'Video' for the setting 'Video Auto Scaling', make sure it's checked, click Save, that's the one that controls if the video expands to the whole screen or stays at 100% of it's resolution size when in fullscreen mode.

Video Auto Scaling was checked. I tried unchecking and rechecking, no change.

Here's some new findings:
Open VLC in terminal, $vlc &. Attempt resizing by double-clicking inside window, terminal output:

Fontconfig warning: FcPattern object size does not accept value "0" // printed 4 times
[0x7fdd58001248] main vout display error: Failed to resize display

EDIT: As far as I can tell the settings are the same as they are on my Windows laptop, where VLC works as it should.

[JmaCWQ]

There is an 'always on top' setting in VLC, on the video tab in settings, it could be keeping it in front of other windows if it's enabled but I think it's disabled by default.
Maybe try using only the one display by disabling the laptop's own display & just using the external one?
Perhaps one of the settings in Settings > Display is causing it?
I don't know what a solution might be, somebody else might be able to help you.

[erve02d0]

There is an 'always on top' setting in VLC, on the video tab in settings, it could be keeping it in front of other windows if it's enabled but I think it's disabled by default.

Yup, it's disabled.

Maybe try using only the one display by disabling the laptop's own display & just using the external one?
Perhaps one of the settings in Settings > Display is causing it?
I don't know what a solution might be, somebody else might be able to help you.

No no, it's working on the laptop, it's the LL desktop that's the problem


EDIT: Interesting, same problem playing files with smplayer. Since screen works fine with Windows, LL must be the problem.

[erve02d0]

EL SOLUCIONE GRANDE:

Tools > Preferences > Video. Change "Output" from "Automatic" to "X11 video output (XCB)". (If that doesn't work on your particular system, dear reader with similar problem, go ahead and try any of the other options.)

Thanks for the effort guys!

[aus9]

not true here is proof playing a downloaded mp4 in full screen (one of them) without any blue box and still using automatic.



your issue might relate to your actual video card and video acceleration?

Note I am on 64 bit 3.0

If you agree my test is proof its not your last suggestion we can explore your video card and VA setup?

[JmaCWQ]

EL SOLUCIONE GRANDE:

Tools > Preferences > Video. Change "Output" from "Automatic" to "X11 video output (XCB)". (If that doesn't work on your particular system, dear reader with similar problem, go ahead and try any of the other options.)

Thanks for the effort guys!

Cool, glad you got it sorted.
I wonder what it chose to use with it's 'automatic' output setting before you changed it to X11...