screen flashes between each trial (case 5751)

[jarvis24]

Does it do the same thing with the basic sample that comes with MediaLab? If so, then look to see that you have other programs closes, the Windows task bar not set to "always be on top" and maybe even closing the widget bar that hangs out on the right side of the screen. Basically first thing I would check for is stuff that might be competing for screen time.

[leahz]

Yes, it does it with the samples as well. I closed down all other programs, including the widgets, and the windows task bar is not on top. Any other ideas? I really appreciate your help!

[jarvis24]

What version of MediaLab are you running (i.e., 200x.x.x)--I'll check it out here on Vista and see if it does the same thing with the basic sample.

[leahz]

I'm running Medialab 2008.1.22. Thanks.

[jarvis24]

Hmm.. Seems to work fine here--at least the basic sample that comes with MediaLab. Not sure what this could be. Did you change the colors in the preferences at all, or are you using a quickstyle anywhere? When you say it changes to the background color, what color is that? And what color does it go to when the next question resumes? I ask all this because normally (by default) those colors are the same.

[leahz]

Yes, I changed the background color to a blue - blue is always the background color. So, in between each frame, there is a quick flash where the screen is completely blue, and then it shows the next frame, where the background is blue again. This is a problem for 2 reasons:

1. I want participants to make several ratings of one photo, so for several frames I have the same photo, with just the rating scale changing. It is distracting that after each response, the photo flashes away and back. In the old version I used to use, if something was in the same place from frame to frame, it would just stay there.
2. At one point I want to show a black screen, and then the black screen with a fixation point. I can't have a flash of blue in between the two screens or the effect won't work.

[irving]

Are there any updates related to this issues? I'm also experiencing a similar issue where I apply my own mystyle.mlq file, but between each question, the program has to reapply my blue custom background over the default MediaLab background, producing the flash sensation.

Is there a way to change the default background and font color, other than using mystyles, in such a way that it does not produce the flashing effect?