Vista Ultimate has a feature called Dreamscene that can be downloaded as a preview version including a Dreamscene content package which was released just a few days ago. Dreamscene makes it possible to use Videos as wallpapers in Windows Vista. The Dreamscene content package added four new videos that could be used as wallpapers in Windows Vista but you can also use other videos to use as a wallpaper.
It is nice that Microsoft added the functionality to Windows Vista Ultimate but all other versions miss the program because it is only available to Windows Vista Ultimate. I really don’t like the way Microsoft added and removed features in various Windows Vista versions, this is just confusing for the customers. Let me show you a free way to add video wallpapers to all versions of Windows Vista. All you need is the free VLC media player.
Just open a video file in VLC, right-click it and choose wallpaper from the menu. That’s it basically, we could finetune it further by doing the following. Go to Settings > Preferences > Interface > Main Interfaces > wxWidgets; disable taskbar and enable systray to remove the VLC windows from the taskbar. Go to Playlist and select Repeat current item to loop it. If the wallpaper option is not available in first place go to Settings > Preferences > Video > Output Modules > Direct X, select Advanced and check Enable Wallpaper Mode.
found: Vista Wired
Related posts:
Video Wallpapers for all Vista EditionsDreamRender is an alternative to DreamScene
Run Dreamscene in any version of Windows Vista
Microsoft Video Screensaver for XP
The Extra Money For Windows Vista Ultimate Is Finally Paying Off
Windows Wallpapers From MSN
Use Screensavers As Vista Wallpapers
Change your wallpapers automatically
“Video Wallpapers for all Vista versions” -> you meant “Video Wallpapers for all WINDOWS versions”, right?
It can be done as easily on XP, W2000 and even on a Mac.
Yep. I posted this hack on my blog way before Vista even came out.
Yes I know, VLc can be used on all Windows editions which makes this video wallpaper alternative universal.
Joe I like the browser check at your website. Is it working well for you ? I would like to hear more about it if you feel comfortable telling me, maybe I could let you know about some opportunities as well.
i’m using vista home premium and installed VLC 0.8.6. For me its not working well and i think its about the video renderer. i’ve tried every single renderer but it works just with one setting (i think it was OpenGL) but when i play a video with this setting aero disables itself and turns to vista basic (and beside of this the video not fills the whole desktop – shifted a little left – )
As you can guess the result is not good.
I believe when dreamscene comes out as a full version (not beta or preview) it will be available for all vista versions.
But i also belive that there must be a way to run this preview version with home premium, because i can install the standalone update file without any interruption. Isn’t there a way to modify the installed update files and make it work in home premium.
7600GT with latest nvidia drivers.
there is no option of menu in vlc can u plz help
i m having vista ultimate and every time i open a file in VLC media player, the color schemes are changed to vista basic.
what is the reason for that
If I rightclick , there isn’t any ‘wallpaper’ option to choose for … and I did the things you told me 2…
im using windows vista home premium and vlc wallpaper mode is not working with me. i right click on video and theres no wallpaper.
I have Vista Home P. and it does not work for me eather
I’m using Windows Vista Home Premium and I see no “wallpaper” button but I see it on my sister’s Windows XP computer. LAAAAAAAME.
Vista Home Premium here and no Wallpaper option!!! =(
I was frustrated to see the author of this blog is not answering the questions that numerous people have asked in the comment section regarding “no wallpaper mode”.
Perhaps they have not dealt with the problem so are unaware of the solution. It has been quite a frustration for me to follow all the instructions and still have no “wallpaper mode” in VLC (Windows vista home).
Here is what I found:
Some other things that must be be done to enable VLC to show the “Wallpaper” mode and to enable dreamscene on the desktop is:
Disable the Windows “Aero theme” and switch it to “Windows Vista Basic”. To do this right click anywhere on the desktop, click personalize>Windows Color and appearance>Open Classic appearance properties for more color options>color scheme. Change the Theme to basic.
In VLC go to Settings > Preferences > Interface > Main Interfaces > wxWidgets; disable taskbar and enable systray to remove the VLC windows from the taskbar.
In VLC for Windows Vista Home you also have to change the “Video output module” to “directx” mode, to enable the “Wallpaper” option in VLC. To do that open the settings dialog and select -> Video -> Output Module (enable “advanced settings”) and change video output module from “default” to “directx output module”.
Go to Playlist and select Repeat current item to loop it.
It is still has issues but it might work after trying the above!
Getting Directx wallpaper to work with VLC:
Using Vista Home Premium SP1 and VLC ver 0.9.8a, it simply worked for me by selecting an important feature in VLC.
Select:
1) VLC/Tools/Video/Output/Display:DirectX video ouput
2) VLC/Tools/Video/Output/DirectX: Enable Wallpaper mode
3) click Save
4) restart VLC; as soon as you begin to play a video, it will automatically disable Vista Aero and begin playing the video full screen in the background.
…now I only need to find some cool videos to use this with.
Works like a dream most of the time. the main issue vista users may have is that you can’t have a desktop background enabled. This takes some extra steps. Press the windows button and U keys at the same time. Then click the “make the computer easier to see” section, then scroll all the way to the bottom and check the Remove background image button, save. Then you should a easy time of it just set the default output for video as directx before going to the sub directx section to enable wallpaper.
thanx Crav !!! simple and effective ! (- ;
This following works in all versions of vista and uses minimal CPU (less than 5% on 2.6 Ghz Centrino 2): run any screensaver as a video wallpaper. Just open up a command prompt and type the screensaver name with the .scr extension and then the following: /p65552
for ex:
aurora.scr /p65552
to end it. just open up taskmgr and look for aurora.scr
This will work with any screensaver as long as it is in your system path (system variables). For ease of use, just put them in the System32 folder
None of this stuff worked for me