More on DVD Player blurriness under Mac OS X 10.3.6

Yesterday we reported a problem with DVD playback under Mac OS X 10.3.6 where the video image is blurred severely both vertically and horizontally.

When this specific problem manifests, it only occurs under Mac OS X 10.3.6. In other words, a system that exhibits this problem under Mac OS X 10.3.6 will not exhibit it when booted from a Mac OS X 10.3.5 startup volume, despite presence of the same video card.

Since Mac OS X 10.3.6 does include modifications to DVD Player, it logically follows that this issue is restricted to the specific incremental update.

Today we've received some confirmation for the problem, as well as a few additional details.

One reader writes "Just installed a ATI 9800 into a 1.25 DP running 10.3.6. It is exhibiting this blurring. I can not described as much detail related to this problem, however the DVD I played after install of the card was not all that good of a picture. I have not used the DVD that much, but I have used it, and the picture used to be flawless, at least to these old eyes, 62 and still using Mac's"

MacFixIt reader Michele writes "I'm having the same problem in a iBook G4. [...] I thought it was an issue with the fact I had low RAM (256 MB)."

Another adds "I am glad it's not just me! I too burned 2 DVD's and playback was awful, worse than poor VHS!"

Finally, Jagtar writes "Running Apple 23" Cinema Display calibrated with Basic Colour 2.5 and Gretag Macbeth i1 Monitor. I was very surprised to see such poor woolly replay using Apple's DVD Player(latest updates) and my brother says the DVD's playback great on his domestic DVD player."

So far, the issue does not seem to be relegated to any brand or model of video card.

If you're experiencing a similar problem, please drop us a line at late-breakers@macfixit.com.

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