i have:

vista ultimate64 bit
core i7
gtx280
lcd monitor, lcd tv
vlc

i can't get video to play on the second monitor...it just shows up as a black screen if i drag it over. the only solution i've thought of so far is setting my primary display as the tv and the monitor as the second display.

is there a better way?

it just shows up as a black screen if i drag it over

Try restarting playback after the new window is on the 2nd screen. Fixes it for me when that happens.