what the hell is wrong with my wmp11?

I just did a fresh install of Xp and updated drivers and all that, but every video I watch with media player (even the version before I updated to 11) looks like I am watching it through some very very dark smokey sunglasses. I mean they are almost black and white and very dark.

the fact that both versions played the same makes me think its some setting thats messed up. any thoughts?

You might have some strange graphics overlay settings.

Check your display driver settings, especially the advanced, custom sections.