Digital Tigers SideCar MMS Series manual

Why can’t I see motion video in applications and/or media players?

Playback of motion video frequently requires access by the application to the DirectDraw hardware video overlay plane. This plane is accessible only on the display designated as the “primary monitor”. You can choose which display is the primary monitor (see Chapter 8, “Designate a new primary monitor”).

Also, note that only one application can access the overlay plane at a time. If you try to run two different video-related applications at a time, only one may be able to play video. (Some applications, such as some versions of Microsoft NetMeeting, are known to “grab” the video overlay plane even when not operating, because a portion of the application runs in the background when Windows starts. You may need to uninstall such applications if they are interfering with access to the video plane by other applications.)

I’m running Avid Xpress DV. Why does the program crash at startup, or why won’t it display motion video in the preview window?

Avid Xpress DV (and most other Avid applications) are written for one or two monitors. You will need to disable all but one or two monitors when running Avid Xpress DV.

I can’t see my mouse pointer on some displays or applications. Is there a fix?

This rare behavior occurs occasionally with a few (non-certified) notebooks and applications (typically video editing applications) used together with the SideCar. The incompatibility is a combination of the notebook display adapter and the particular application (the way it accesses the video overlay plane and cursor) when used with the SideCar. Possible fixes and workarounds include:

ƒStop using the notebook display, if the problem occurs on that display

ƒUpgrade your notebook video driver (see your notebook manufacturer)

ƒChange the “hardware acceleration” settings for the notebook and/or SideCar displays. You can access these settings via Display Properties (right-click on the desktop, select Properties), Settings tab, select the display, click Advanced, Troubleshoot tab. Lower the Hardware Acceleration slider at least two notches below “Full” on the notebook display and/or SideCar displays until you find a combination that works. (You may need to change all the SideCar displays to the same setting.)

ƒDon’t use this application on the displays where the cursor disappears

ƒUse a notebook certified by Digital Tigers for compatibility

ƒUpgrade to a newer version of the application

71- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)