Why can't I see the video unless the cursor is hovering over it

Min.G

the video canvas (playback) seems to have a mask that covers it. while the video plays, placing the cursor over the "mask" reveals the video. this can't be right.....

[deleted]

I'm not sure what you are actually describing. The normal behaviour is....

If you click a clip that is in the Media list window , it will appear in the left hand preview screen where it will show some miniatures and you can play it and set cutting points to create smaller clips which you can save back to the media list if required or use the green arrow to drop the clip onto the sequence line. Once on the sequence line it will preview in the right hand window.

Alternatively you can drag the clip directly to the sequence line where it will preview in both windows. I am not sure what it is that you refer to as a "mask" Can you supply some more details.

Nat