Hello @Xarishark, the SMPTE placeholder is shown when there is a codec in use that Proton doesn't have. The only solution here is to either have enough players trying to play the game to trigger Steam's video transcoding system or for the patents and other legal restrictions to expire so that the codec can be included with Proton.
Regardless, if there's a video playback issue, this needs to be evaluated on a per-game basis and can not be generalized.
Regarding the Proton version used with demos, your global compatibility tool settings in Steam should influence that.
Hello @Xarishark, the SMPTE placeholder is shown when there is a codec in use that Proton doesn't have. The only solution here is to either have enough players trying to play the game to trigger Steam's video transcoding system or for the patents and other legal restrictions to expire so that the codec can be included with Proton.
Regardless, if there's a video playback issue, this needs to be evaluated on a per-game basis and can not be generalized.
Regarding the Proton version used with demos, your global compatibility tool settings in Steam should influence that.
Understood. I tried to search for info regarding the steam video transcoding system but I cant find anything. Sorry to waste your time but can you give me a more informative post on the matter(I mean a wiki link or something)?
If I msg the devs of the game what codec should I request for being the most compatible with the proton translation layer?
Thanks in advance for your time.
proton experimentalx1 2025-06
Feature Request
Add a permanent solution for the codec video test pattern problem.
I confirm:
contain this feature already.
Description
I tried the "No im not a human" Demo and literally at the end of the demo instead of the cutscene I see the Video test patern (video codec problem) as demos do not have a set proton version. What I recomment is to set the latest version of proton (experimental?) as the default version for all titles that do not have a stable version set by valve. That way the games have a better chance of escaping errors like that just by being on the most up to date feature set of proton.
Justification [optional]
Risks [optional]
possible instabilities of proton experimental?
References [optional]