weird computer video problem. help needed!

[tjumper78]

hello.
when i play movie files(avi, etc) in media players like windows media player, winamp, vlc player, km player, etc, the images look like theyre in 8 bit(or 4) color.
i dont know if you can see the problem in these pics...
http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/8348/img1562ik9.jpg
http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/192/img1563yj2.jpg

this problem just started happening out of nowhere a few days ago. i tried reinstalling the nvidia driver, and it didnt fix the problem. i checked all the video settings but i dont see anything that has been changed.
the images look fine when i watch youtube or whatever online. the problem only persists with media players.
and i need someone to help me fix it.
help!!!

thanks in advance.

[Kirosia]

Have you tried re-installing your codecs?

[tjumper78]

yes.. the only codec that's installed is the klite codec which has been playing pretty much any video files without any problems for 2+ years on this computer.

[Kirosia]

Have you tried a system restore?

[Oxyjin]

That's strange o.o... Maybe you can try adjusting brightness/ contrast in the video settings.
Sort of looks like the color is inverted.

[Zodduska]

I would uninstall that codec pack and try ffdshow: SourceForge.net: ffdshow tryouts

[Zorander]

Combined Community Codec Pack

Use this codec pack, which includes the much vaunted FFDShow decoder. You might also want to check your Video Overlay (Hardware) setting.

Cheers!