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General discussion

notebook for dlp samsung widescreen?

Sep 12, 2004 2:54PM PDT

I've been looking for months for a "multimedia" notebook to use with my 50" samsung dlp...so I can do some of my work (photos and dvd movie making, spreadsheets, etc) in the living room vs. home office...I got the tv from best buy and they steered me wrong, got a sony desktop...but no expansion slots although powerful...I wanted it wireless...for satellite INternet...so i took it back and then decided a laptop made more sense because i can do photos, burn on location and deliver product. I do not want laptop for screen, dvd movies, etc...but work, showing photos, editing photos, and mostly on the tv...and for wireless Internet use all around the house...I wanted to get a Toshiba after dealing with hp and sony tech support in other capacities...and i never cared for dell...so that left toshiba (had many gateways but they dont let you custom configure notebooks, it appears) i was told i dont need multimedia software (is that just for user friendliness?). best buy sold me $99 dvi cord, would kinda like to use it! but dont have to i guess...any input would be so appreciated. I want something very powerful, i tend to use my computers for a long long time so its worth the $$ to me...i just keep adding them to my office for backups...THANKS IN ADVANCE! I'M ALSO a student sometimes and adjunct faculty for jr college, but have never gotten discount for being a teacher on computer purchase (just software).

Discussion is locked

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Re: notebook for dlp samsung widescreen?
Sep 12, 2004 9:22PM PDT

I see many issues that will not be solved by best buy. Your satellite internet to wifi will be a challange which your satellite internet or a smart person will have to solve.

The connection to the TV is simple. You need the connection to the TV. But that TV screen will not work like a computer video display since... it wasn't designed for that use.

You need a personal trainer and advisor to take your needs and sort it all out. It should cost about 500 to about a grand for your personal trainer to help you out.

I'm unsure what the reference to multimedia software was, but some salesperson may have taken a que from your "connect to TV" and moved to that version of XP that is all about the TV content. It's not a bad version and should not be panned.

Bob

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Re: notebook for dlp samsung widescreen?
Sep 13, 2004 4:37AM PDT

HP (hpshopping.com) has a 6% college student APP discount. Also, many of their models right now have an instant discount and there is a $100 custom order rebate good through 12/1/04 (ignore $50 HP or $30 Compaq rebate on the order screen --you can print and use the $100 rebate on the mail in rebates link on the hpshopping homepage).

You have to decide what LCD size you want and whether battery life and weight (Pentium M Centrino better) or no holds barred performance are desired.

Intel and AMD will be introducing 64bit 2 cpu per processor chips next year or at least in 2006 (for Microsoft Longhorn 64bit in 2006-07) so I would not spend over $1500 or $2000 for any notebook as you can get one now that will be great for 2 years but beyond that will be lacking.

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Re: notebook for dlp samsung widescreen?
Sep 18, 2004 3:29PM PDT

I thought the samsung was GREAT with computer hookup, what is wrong with using it for computer screen? Can't figure out the first post, where all that was coming from....I also want to record dvds and such from video camera...and organize dvds...thanks Ken for the point to maybe not spend over 2000....because speed is a concern when editing photos..dvi connection needed? I suppose not...I was told i could get an adapter but it's hard to find info. Some best buys have computer and big screen on display, it hink it's awesome, i cant believe that it's not taking off......i LOVE the idea!

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Re: notebook for dlp samsung widescreen?
Sep 18, 2004 7:50PM PDT

I have an Hitachi T500 57" HDTV (similar Hitachi S500 is top rated at Cnet) and I have the DVI cable you refer to (only Monster cable makes them right now and it is $99 for the 2 meter DVI cable) but that is for getting even a better signal than Component video on either an HDTV satelite box (I have Dish network) or on a newer DVD player with a DVI connector (like the Toshiba for $89 I got earlier this year).

LCD desktop monitors have analog and DVI connectors now in the $500 range but I have not seen any mainstream notebooks with a DVI connector yet. Most have S-video and that is better than composite video but not as good as component and that cable costs $10-$20 not $100.

Some desktops must be coming out with the DVI connection or they would not be putting it on so many LCD flatscreen monitors (like Samsung, Sony, etc) but again that is for qualified higher end desktops right now.

Your HDTV (and most newer analog TV's as well has a SVHS connector so you can use your HDTV monitor to display that. The audio (white left and red right composite jacks) can be used from most notebooks with an adaptor from the 2.5 mm headphone jack. Some notebooks may have a digital audio connection but you seem to be most concerned with the video display anyway.

Plenty of people are getting HDTV's now to watch HDTV on cable or Dish Network or Direct TV. And, when the new HDTV quality DVD players are out soon (called Bluray or another name -- 2 competing formats) DVD's will also be up the HDTV standard.

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Here's why.
Sep 18, 2004 9:09PM PDT

From what I witnessed the refresh rate was not that high and many people will find the display annoying with extended use with PC type usage. If you like such, then go for it. Just complain later if it turns out to be an eyestrain.

"Can't figure out the first post, where all that was coming from"

Neither can I since you want to organise video and more, the version of the Media XP could be the right version unless you want to create your own solution.

Bob