Video Playback in iTunes is Green/Pink and Flashes

Hey Ala_1985,

Thanks for the question. I understand you are experiencing issues with iTunes after updating. Let’s see if we can isolate this issue by starting iTunes in safe mode:

iTunes: Troubleshooting issues with third-party iTunes plug-ins

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3430

There are several ways in which an add-on can cause iTunes to act erratically, such as those listed below:

- Loss of iTunes functionality, such as the Visualizer.

- Distortion or irregularity in the iTunes interface.

- Slow performance.

- iTunes won't open or quits unexpectedly.

- You see an alert while syncing stating "... cannot be synced. A duplicate file name was specified."

If you notice any of the above symptoms or other unusual behavior, you can disable any plug-ins not manufactured by Apple by opening iTunes in Safe Mode. This is done by holding down the Option and Command keys (on Mac OS X) or holding down the Shift and Control keys (on Windows) while opening iTunes. If performed correctly, you should see the following dialog before iTunes finishes starting up:

"iTunes is running in Safe Mode. Visual plug-ins you have installed have been temporarily disabled."

If the above does not resolve your issue, I’d like to isolate further by testing in another user account:

Isolating an issue by using another user account

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4053

Symptoms

When isolating issues and/or troubleshooting software issues in OS X, you might want to use a different user account. Learn how to use this technique to narrow down the cause of an issue.

Resolution

The issue at hand may simply be caused by a bad preference setting or user-specific data file. With proper isolation, you can avoid time-consuming and inappropriate troubleshooting methods.

Thanks,

Matt M.

I had the same issue as Ala_1985. The solution for me was so frustratingly simple!

(This issue affected playback of TV shows, Movies, and Trailers. I just got the most recent version of iTunes (11.1.3) and did a software update on my MacBook Air, so Quicktime should also be up-to-date.. I'm running

Mac OS X Lion 10.7.5.)

Here's what worked:

My Preferred Video Version playback preferences were set to High Definition (720p). I just had to change them to Standard Definition and was then able to play all media I had downloaded in SD on my computer (have not tried hooking up to an external device).

Do this simply by going to

iTunes -> Preferences -> Playback (tab)

The dialogue box looks like this:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/oirhzx9l33q66w5/Screenshot%202013-12-29%2015.10.47.png

Change the Preferred Video Version to Standard Definition in the dropdown.

Good luck!

Hello,

experiencing exactly the same problem as Ala_1985, and none of the solutions work. Went to an Apple Store and they just don't have a clue. Everything works perfectly with the videos - even playing DVD's with external reader - but when it comes to movies in iTunes (even the trailers) : a screen with green and pink shapes flashing, while the sound is ok. Macbook Air, OS X, all softwares updated to the latest versions... help!

Any luck yet? I used my MacBook Air to play a rented (iTunes) movie with Apple TV. Worked beautifully. Now, tonight I try to play a purchased TV show and I get the green screen. Tried changing settings (resolution, etc) to no avail. Can't believe the store couldn't help you!

No solution so far. And trying to reset the video card did not help.

The same thing is happening to me. I have a Macbook Air that is only about 10 months old. A week ago, I went to playback a movie and the screen was green with pixeled flashes of color. The sound was fine but just this green screen I solved the problem by shutting down the computer and turning on again.

Now a week later, I am having the same issue again- Green Screen with sound.
I tried the suggestion of setting playback viewing to standard but still no luck.

I will restart and see what happens.

This is annoying.

Unfortunately I'm having the same issue again. I just updated to version 11.1.5. Tried the same steps as before but still have the green and pink screen. Agreed, this is annoying.

Actually, this chain was helpful: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5160492

See Calencelot's advice: "power down your machine and do a hard reset on the video card. hit the power button wait for the ping sound then hold down COMMAND OPTION R AND P keys all at the same time till you hear a ping again and release. This should fix the problem."

This worked for me.

Thank you @that_j.

This fixed the green and pink screen problem for me!

See Calencelot's advice: "power down your machine and do a hard reset on the video card. hit the power button wait for the ping sound then hold down COMMAND OPTION R AND P keys all at the same time till you hear a ping again and release. This should fix the problem."

Thank you!

Yea somehow the miracle of resetting Pram fixed this for me as well. cmd + option + P + R at boot.

No idea what pram is saving that affects video playback but that did the trick.