WinDVD v. 5 . Error message " create overlay failed. Please lower your screen resolution or color depth and try again"

Possible fixes:

1. Update to latest version of Direct X
2. Check: My Computer >> C:\ >> Direct X Folder >> Direct X Diagnostic Tools >> Display Tab >> Enable Direct Draw and Direct 3D Accelerations
3. Update to the latest display driver

updated to the latest video driver, bios.
not sure about the Direct x instructions. I guess i will have to explore it more on my own.

Are you running Windowsupdate?  and have you installed the most recent software & criticalupdates?
AFTER you do this...re-install WINDVD..

Use another DVD (play some other movie)

For Direct X go here :

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.aspx?url=/windows/directx/downloads/default.htm

Bios update, I would defintly leave that as a LAST RESORT !!

I would try and use vlc media player first to see if it will play in that, if so then it is a windows issue or possibly something else :

www.videolan.org/vlc/

I would also suggest getting the latest version of win dvd or my recomendation for dvd playing software power dvd !!

Video Lan is also a great dvd player and is also open source ( so if you did want a free player, vlc media player would be the way to go )

There is also ffdshow :

http://sourceforge.net/projects/ffdshow

windows media player classic ( I have seen this suggested as a nice player for playing dvd's) Not sure if it requires a dvd decoder that works to be previously installed or not as I have not tested it out, here is the URL for it though :

http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/video_players/media_player_classic.cfm

However from the error message you posted, it sounds like direct x re installation would fix that issue :)

Do you have a program like NetMeeting or PC-Anywhere running? This seems to be a common cause for this isssue.

Is hardware acceleration enabled for your graphics card? Open Display Properties and goto the Settings tab. Press "Advanced" and in the window that opens, go to the Troubleshoot tab. Move the Hardware acceleration slider to Full.

Hey, this is still open.. what's the status?  Any new development?  I would like to table this or help you out.  If there is a valid answer could you please grade accordingly.  If there were many input from other's splitting the points would be good as we invested our time in helping you out.  Please advise.

sorry. I updated the BIOS and this resolved the problem.
Thank you fo all the help!!
cj

cool. .thank you!!

I was getting this error when remotely connected to a PC using PC Anywhere. Installed VLC as Gecko suggested and it worked.

Thanks,

B