Fullscreen video display/playback issue with DesktopX

hey..... i am sure at least some of you have ran into this problem. after downloading DX last night, i've spent hours playing with it. i've noticed that whenever a theme that utilizes a GUI menu that's "always on top" of your left hand corner of the screen, DVD can never playback in full screen. i've tried WInDVD and also tried my usual TV tuner with WinDVR and both of them go BLACK when i maximize the video window.

only a few decent themes out there that does not have the menu on the left that's "always on top" have no troulbe playing video in full screen. but i want to use some of these themes because a lot of them are really cool. i tried going into properties just abotu every object and find out if there's a option to disable this "always on top" but couldn't find it.

can you guys help?.. this is really frustrating.
4,606 views 7 replies
Reply #1 Top
First make sure you are in 'Authoring Mode'. To do that right-click on your DesktopX icon in the system tray. If is says 'Switch to Authoring Mode' on the top of the menu; click on that. If you have 'Configure DesktopX' on the top, you are already in Authoring Mode.

Right click on the object that gives you problems > Properties > Relation > Z-order, you can change the 'always on top' to 'normal' from the drop down list.

Warning! Some Themes might have difficulties if you change this setting (e.g. buttons and tabs disappearing). If that happens just change it back.


Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
Reply #2 Top
hey, thanks for your quick reply. i tried your instruction step by step to set the menu bar on the left from alway on top to normal level, however, it doesn't seem to change it. the menu bar remained on top no matter what. so i changed it to "desktop level", THAT totally make the menu bar disappeared. i am really out of ideas here.

aren't there anyone else out there who also encountered this problem? i would think that this shouldn't be a rare problem since there are also countless people out there who watch DVDs on their computer or using TV tuners.
Reply #3 Top
which exact theme are you having problems with? It might be due to some button or other part of the side-bar wich is set to "always on top".

I would also recommend to have a look in the stardock newsgroup (news.stardock.com) they have a special newsgroup for DesktopX and the program developers themselves sometimes hang out there as well.


Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
Reply #4 Top
for example, Airlock, Aquazone-3, Radiance, and Sonik. as you can see these all have the start menu on the side "always on top". if i set the menu's Z=order from "always on top" to normal, nothing happens, but if i set it to "desktop level" the entire level disappears, so it not only doesn't fix the problem.... it makes it worse.

i do'nt believe i have stardock, just the desktopX and WindowsBlinds.
Reply #5 Top
Ok, I played around with 'Sonik' a bit. I noticed that when I would set the Side-Bar to 'normal z-order' I was able to then hit the F9 button on the keyboard (I think this is the default button in DesktopX to toggle all widgets) before I fired-up my PowerDVD player. The Side-bar was then not visible during DVD playback. Try this one out, otherwise I am all out of ideas


You don't need to have Stardock Central in order to visit the Stardock Newgroup. Just use Outlook Express or another email program.

In Outlook Express: Tools > Accounts > Add > News. Fill in your login name and email address and enter news.stardock.com where you are asked for a news-server.


Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
Reply #6 Top
i tried your suggestion. and DVD seems to play fullscreen now however, TV tuner doesn't seem to work still none the less.. thanks so much for your effort. you've been a great help aufisch.
Reply #7 Top
you're welcome

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central