Okay, this is a problem that has had me puzzled ever since I downloaded the Half Life 2 demo.

For some reason, the beginning and end sequences for all Half Life 2 games do not work on my computer. During the opening sequence of Half Life 2, it displays the title, then I hear the G-man talking, while I stare at a black screen. Then I see the train. I originally thought this was simply because I didn't have the full version, yet the problem persisted even after I bought the game.

Also, at the very end, when the portal explodes, time comes to a stop and then the screen goes black, and I hear the G-Man talking again. Although for some reason, with the end cinematic, when the screen goes black for the first time I see a single bright light in the distance. After a few moments, however, it too disappears.

The exact same thing happened just this evening when I tried playing Half Life 2: Episode 1. The title is displayed, then I hear voices, and the screen goes to white and back twice before Dog digs me up. After the title, Dog's face is the first thing I see.

I've seen each of these cinematics online, so the problem is really more of a nuisance than anything. Still, it would be nice if someone could help me solve this...

Hoping this thread doesn't sink to the bottom of the page unanswered,
Brad

Mabey the brightness is turned down too low?

I've never heard of a glitch in which only the opening and closing cinematics are messed up.
All of Half-Life's scripted sequences happen in real-time, including those.
Those are, however, the only ones to take place in absolute darkness.
It may also have something to do with not being able to move?