Project86
10-21-07, 07:19 PM
Let me preface this by saying I have very little knowledge about HTPCs, hardly any experience with notebooks, and I'm even getting out of the loop on desktops (as seen in my sig). So I apologize for my ignorance.
My brother is a fairly casual PC user. He recently asked me about integrating his notebook into his home theater setup. His notebook is fairly new, and he just doesn't ever take it anywhere, and has several desktop PCs in his home already. I had no idea how to answer him, but I told him I'd find out.
His notebook is an HP with a Turion X2 at 1.8, 2GB ram, 160GB hd, Geforce Go 6150 video, integrated Conextant audio with coaxial digital out, DVD burner, running Vista Home Premium. I've monkeyed with it a bit, and it seems very fast, with the obvious exception of the video holding it back.... but it can still handle a game of UT 2004 on medium settings.
HP makes a product called the quickdock http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/notebook/notebook_hp/dock_solutions/1/accessories/ES631AA%2523ABA which would allow him to connext component video out or VGA out, coaxial digital audio out, USB, etc, as well as powering the unit, all connected to his HP with a single cable to keep it portable if needed.
I figured he could pick one of those up (fairly cheap on Ebay) and give it a try. Are there any limitations based on this hardware? Obviously some external storage would be needed if he got serious about using this. I downloaded some HD video content and it looked very good on the little 14.1" widescreen, but I did notice some slight "stuttering" on some videos. Could just be the way it was encoded, or could be the fact that I have no idea how to properly configure FFDshow (also I don't think purevideo is installed), or maybe even the LCD has a slow refresh rate....
Anyways, what all can I expect to be able to get this thing to do, and how much work will it involve? I've read through this http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=719041 FFD show tutorial, and I don't think I can make time to mess with it, and I'm certain it's too much for my brother to handle.
My brother is a fairly casual PC user. He recently asked me about integrating his notebook into his home theater setup. His notebook is fairly new, and he just doesn't ever take it anywhere, and has several desktop PCs in his home already. I had no idea how to answer him, but I told him I'd find out.
His notebook is an HP with a Turion X2 at 1.8, 2GB ram, 160GB hd, Geforce Go 6150 video, integrated Conextant audio with coaxial digital out, DVD burner, running Vista Home Premium. I've monkeyed with it a bit, and it seems very fast, with the obvious exception of the video holding it back.... but it can still handle a game of UT 2004 on medium settings.
HP makes a product called the quickdock http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/notebook/notebook_hp/dock_solutions/1/accessories/ES631AA%2523ABA which would allow him to connext component video out or VGA out, coaxial digital audio out, USB, etc, as well as powering the unit, all connected to his HP with a single cable to keep it portable if needed.
I figured he could pick one of those up (fairly cheap on Ebay) and give it a try. Are there any limitations based on this hardware? Obviously some external storage would be needed if he got serious about using this. I downloaded some HD video content and it looked very good on the little 14.1" widescreen, but I did notice some slight "stuttering" on some videos. Could just be the way it was encoded, or could be the fact that I have no idea how to properly configure FFDshow (also I don't think purevideo is installed), or maybe even the LCD has a slow refresh rate....
Anyways, what all can I expect to be able to get this thing to do, and how much work will it involve? I've read through this http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=719041 FFD show tutorial, and I don't think I can make time to mess with it, and I'm certain it's too much for my brother to handle.