Enabling Desktop Effects/Compiz Fusion cause Video Playback issues

In openSUSE 10.0 & openSUSE 11.0, enabling Desktop effects or Compiz Fusion can cause Video Playback issues and in some cases, there will not be any video displayed. This happens on Intel Display chipset based PCs and Laptops.

The problem seems to be with the Intel Display (XV) drivers. The XVideo extension is not composite aware and draws blue instead of video on areas where the composite manager is doing work. To workaround this issue, you need to switch favorite video player’s output from XV to X11, XImage or XShm.

NOTE: Doing this has can cause degraded performance issues on your Desktop or laptop. This is a workaround only.

The following procedures are for GStreamer, Xine engine based players and for VLC & Mplayer

GStreamer Engine

If your player uses GStreamer engine  then try the following:

1. From a terminal and type “gstreamer-properties” and Enter.

2. In the Video tab, Under Default Video Plugin select “X Window System (No Xv)”.

3. Click Test to verify that video playback is working (look for standard TV testing colour stripes) and close.

Xine Engine

If your player uses Xine engine then try the following:
1. Start xine, click File – Configure – Preferences

2. In experience_level select “Master Of The Known Universe” so that all available settings are visible.

3. Click video tab, under Driver select “xshm”.

4. Restart xine.
Video LAN (VLC) Player

1. Start VLC, click click Settings – Preferences.

2. Expand Video and then expand Output modules.

3. Select the item Output modules, and check the box Advanced options at the bottom right and now you have the option to select a different output device.

4. Pick X11 video output and click Save

MPlayer

1. Start Mplayer – Right-click on screen and select Preferences

2. Clicl Video tab and under Available Drivers select “X11 (XImage/Shm)”

3. Click Save and restart the program for the setting to take effect.