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Monday, March 19, 2007

How to enable DreamScene Video Wallpapers in ALL Windows Vista Versions

DreamScene is a feature that enables users of Windows Vista Ultimate editions to set up animated backgrounds instead of the mundane static wallpapers. But Microsoft has limited the availability of this feature only to the Ultimate edition of Vista. While a workaround for enabling the actual DreamScene feature in the other version of Vista is not yet available, users can employ an alternative with similar results.

The fact of the matter is that this method will not get DreamScene working on your machine, but the effect will be similar to that delivered by the original. It may require some amount of effort on your behalf, but go along with me on this one. It will be worth it.

First off, you will need the latest edition of VLC Player[Freeware]. After downloading and installing VLC Player make your way to Settings > Preferences > Video > Output Modules > Direct X. In order to see all the settings available, you will have to check the Advanced options box in the bottom right corner. Enable Wallpaper Mode is such an advanced option; it is disabled by default, but you can just enable it by checking the box next to it.

Now it's time to simulate the behavior of DreamScene. In this sense, navigate to Settings > Preferences > Interface > Main Interfaces > wxWidgets and simply uncheck the box next to the Taskbar option. This will remove VLC Player from the Windows Taskbar while the application is running, and it will be running extensively. And if you select Settings > Preferences you will also be able to loop a single video fragment. Enjoy!

5 comments:

  1. Anonymous said,

    Just FYI, this does't work with Vista, either you get no video or, when you do, it breaks Aero.

    on 4/04/2007 7:20 PM


  2. Jason S said,

    Hi,

    I guess you are going wrong somewhere... It surely does work for all flavors!!

    Cheers!!
    Jason S

    on 4/05/2007 8:46 AM


  3. Anonymous said,

    Thanks for your nice post!

    on 9/27/2007 2:53 AM


  4. Anonymous said,

    thx, VLC works great on my NON Ultimate Vista, but for Windows XP you can also use the freeware XPScene to play Dreamscenes as Wallpaper ;)

    on 2/20/2008 9:43 PM


  5. Anonymous said,

    Remember to use the lastest version 8.6e with vista for it to run in direct3d mode correctly. I can't seem to remove it from the taskbar so I keep making it active and loss everything behind it.

    on 3/14/2008 4:45 AM