Most people who use their laptop to show a video clip in PowerPoint or other software run into a common problem when using a video projector--the video plays well on the laptop screen but the projector displays an empty black box. To overcome this, you will need to reduce the computer’s “hardware acceleration.”  Here’s how:

Right-click on the desktop to reveal the desktop menu.  Choose Properties. 

 

In the Display Properties window, select Settings.

 

Now select Advanced.

 

In the next window, select Troubleshoot.

 

On this screen, the Hardware Acceleration setting is revealed. 

 

The problem usually occurs because the setting is at Full.  Reduce this setting by 2 ticks, then click on Apply.

 

 

The improvement should be immediate.  Test it.  If it doesn’t work, reduce the Hardware acceleration setting by another tick. 

 

For more information about placing media clips in PowerPoint, check out our Adding Movie and Audio Clips page.