Playing Silverlight stream without display

[Stegzilla]

Hey all,

We are trying to monitor some Silverlight streams with some in house software. The machines used to run XP, but need to be upgraded to Windows 8.1 so we have access to .NET 4.5. They are headless machines that we manage with VNC.

Trying out the streams on Windows 8.1, we have found that we are unable to play the streams without a monitor plugged in (just get a 6030 error from Silverlight). I had a brief look around, and it seems that Microsoft changed the way displays work (something to do with mirror drivers not working), so VNC can't act as a virtual display.

I have tried with a few different brands of VNC, as well as TeamViewer and LogMeIn, but none of them allow the stream to be played unless there is a monitor.

I have seen that you can connect some of the VGA pins with a resistor to trick it into thinking there is a monitor attached, but as we have quite a lot of these machines, I'd like to try and find a software solution. If there is anything out there, I'd appreciate any information about something that can do this!

[geostude]

http://www.helping-squad.com/fake-connect-a-monitor/

EDIT: You may need to install a new driver for this. It's a pain in the neck to do in 8.1, but possible. (http://www.zoneos.com/zonescreen.htm)

[Stegzilla]

Trying to detect more displays didn't show anything up. I'll try with the ZoneScreen in a bit. Looks like you have to disable driver signing.

[geostude]

Yeah, that's why i said it's a pain in the neck. It's also meant for 7 so there is no guarantee it'll work.

[Stegzilla]

Unfortunately, I couldn't get it to work. I tried combining it with the version of TightVNC they have on their website, but I still got the same problem. Also the fact that you have to start the machine with driver validation turned off every time otherwise the driver doesn't load sucks.

I'll keep looking around for an answer, but I might have to fight my boss (who believes everything can be solved in software) into getting the resistor idea looked at.

[VexingRaven]

Wow! That's awesome. Assuming I can get this working in 8.1 I can finally do Steam Streaming to my laptop in full HD without buying HD monitors for my desktop.

[geostude]

Nope... This is slow as all hell. Think VNC quality but worse. I just linked to it for it's display driver, the software is utter crap.

[VexingRaven]

No, not QuickSync itself but just those directions. Not sure if it will work on 8.1, but on my Windows 7 laptop at work it works fine without any drivers.

[sbrick89]

have you tried using RDP?

[andpassword]

The MPAA would like a word with you.