External monitor only on playback

I don't think this is one for the idiot list but i could be wrong. Obvious setting-external monitor, all frames is checked. Trashed QT receipts in the library per apple. External video only appears when I hit play. When stopped, the video disappears. I can't seem to locate a setup choice that addresses this. Makes it a little difficult to do color correction. Was working at one time.

pwrbk 17"
OS 10.4.6
FC 5.0.4

firewire 400 to Sony DRS 25 deck to monitor. Same setup as I've always had.

try my list of things to check:

#8 External Monitor Viewing.

Shane's Stock Answer #8:

A simple path is mac > firewire > camera or deck > rca cables > tv

Then start up your camera and tv, then open fcp.

Then go View > External video > all frames
Video playback should be Apple firewire NTSC (If you are using an NTSC set)
Audio playback should be Audio follows Video

Techinially, this should send synched video to your TV

If for some reason you can't view your timeline on your external monitor, there are a few things to try:

1) Make sure that the camera/deck is connected and powered on BEFORE you open FCP.

2) In the Final Cut Pro menu select AUDIO/VIDEO Preferences and make sure your signal is being sent out thru Firewire DV.

3) Go to the menu and select VIEW>EXTERNAL>ALL FRAMES.

4) Click in the % box above the image and select FIT TO WINDOW.

5) Go to VIEW->refresh A/V devices

6) Make sure the Log & Capture window is closed

If you want it to play in both the canvas and the external monitor you need to go to the FINAL CUT PRO menu and select AUDIO/VIDIO settings and make sure MIRROR ON DESKTOP is selected under the PLAYBACK OUTPUT section

Yep, haven't had this happen in a while. The old "fit to window" on the canvas. However, fit to window is where is was set. I can only get a picture out of the FW connection when in the stop mode if I set the window to 100%. All other settings including "fit all" result in picture only when I hit the space bar (play).
This is kind of a goofy thing anyway don't u think? Why should the zoom in the canvas cut the picture out the FW port?

Also press CONTROL-U to make sure you don't have windows overlapping.

thx.
will check it out.
(that is even weirder)