Do you watch DVD's on your laptop?

97tbird · Mar 31, 2005

we still don't have a DVD player, and just for kicks, I tried a DVD on our IBM laptop:
I was pleasently surprised: great picture, clarity, and there's a bunch of adjustment that you can make to colors, special cinema effetcs etc.
I know it's not like with a TV/DVD player, but it's not bad at all, until I get the DVD player I want.

The only thing which bugs me is the poor sound, though (although the dvd sofware on the laptop has a bunch of sound-efects). I'm going to get a connector so i can hook up the laptop to my Onkyo stereo system via the laptop's mini headphone jack(which I hope is a stereo output???)

...or get a great pair of headphones, but I like the idea of connection it to the home-stereo. Then I can see how all the special sound effects from the laptop-dvd software gets transferred to the stereo...

are there others who do it?
I'd like to hear your feedback.
-----------------------------------
A qusetion:
I see that the laptop also has a "S-video out" jack. Can I use this output to connect it to a normal TV, so I can see the DVD output on the tv screen?
If yes, does it also connect carry the audio signal to the TV? Thanks for any advice.

[ March 31, 2005, 10:31 PM: Message edited by: 97tbird ]

buster · Mar 31, 2005

My wife does when travelling and sometimes at home. She has an HP with the wide screen. I'm looking into the Powerbooks. I agree, the picture quality is very good.

97tbird · Mar 31, 2005

great; I'm happy others do it, too.
Ours also has te Wide-screen mode, although I still haven't tried it out.
We're still using the IBm pre-installed software, but I'm wondering if MS Miedia Player is better and have more adjustemnts etc:
which software do you use?

Another question:

I see that the laptop also has a "S-video out" jack. Can I use this output to connect it to a normal TV, so I can see the DVD output on the tv screen?
If yes, does it also carry the audio signal to the TV? Thanks for any advice.

97tbird · Mar 31, 2005

anyone on the S-video output?
(bump)

kenw · Mar 31, 2005

S-Video can go to a device (TV or VCR) that has S-video inputs.

Most TVs do not have S-video inputs.

I use the DVD on my wife's 17" wxga p4/3GHz HP notebook for DVDs when I travel sometimes. The preloaded sw is Intervideo and works just fine.

[ April 01, 2005, 09:42 AM: Message edited by: kenw ]

eljefino · Apr 3, 2005

Wife's newish laptop has S-video. We thought it was a PS/2 mouse port for a while.

Newish TVs usually have the S-video jack, except walmart junk with only an antenna in. Buy your S-video cable at Big Lots; Radio shack or best buy will want a ridiculous amount for one. S-Video on TV looks great. Plus you can play realvideo, windows media etc clips on the TV. THere's usually an off-color function key that you hold down with, say, F5 to switch between the LCD and external monitor. Worst case is you can get a video modulator that will convert S-Video to channel 3 but it adds misery and blurriness to the signal.

Yes the headphone jack has a 1/8" stereo connector and adaptors to RCA inputs are common. You probably have one kicking around already.

Quattro Pete · Apr 3, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by 97tbird:
Then I can see how all the special sound effects from the laptop-dvd software gets transferred to the stereo...

You'll loose all the surround sound effects, but other than that, it shouldn't be a problem.

quote:

are there others who do it?
I'd like to hear your feedback.

I've hooked up my Dell notebook to the TV and home stereo numerous times. Video and audio quality is not as good as from a dedicated home DVD player, but it's OK. I only used to use the notebook if I wanted to play an .avi file that my older DVD player wouldn't play. The new DVD player plays those as well (I just have to burn them on a CD).

quote:

A qusetion:
I see that the laptop also has a "S-video out" jack. Can I use this output to connect it to a normal TV, so I can see the DVD output on the tv screen?
If yes, does it also connect carry the audio signal to the TV? Thanks for any advice.

If your TV has an S-video input, then yes, you can connect it that way. S-video connection offers better quality than regular component connection (1 rca cable) but not as good as the composite connection (3 rca cables). Of course, I have yet to see a notebook with composite outputs.

S-video only carries video, so you'll still need to use the headphones output to get the audio to your stereo receiver.

kenw · Apr 3, 2005

"Of course, I have yet to see a notebook with composite outputs."

used to be fairly common. Had one on my Compaq Armada 4100 and on my Armada E500. I could also xfer a large PPT presentation (mostly photos) directly to video tape. DVD-R made the need for that somewhat obsolete...

(these were commmercial grade notebooks, not consumer grade)

97tbird · Apr 3, 2005

Thanks for the info/replies guys

,

I already got the laptop connected to my Onkyo Stereo, and it's GREAT sound! the effects on the software(rock/hall/echo/soft/bass/vocal etc), are really pronounced thru the stereo. My Onkyo stereo, though small, is beast, and I'm enjoying the new sound. It(the stereo) has a connection for a subwoofer, but haven't got one yet.(not really necessary; the Onkyo has its won 3-level bass enhancement, which is not bad at all...)

This is the Onkyo I have the laptop connected to:
http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=MC35TECH&class=Audiosys&p=i

When I got my Onkyo I threw away the crappy plastic interconnector which came in the box(amp/tuner to CD), and got a Monster-cable connector(RCA), and it made a huge difference, even though it was their mid-range cable. I know they're not cheap, but it does make a difference. I was able to find the laptop-headhone to RCA (stereo) cable on sale from Monster, and as I said it's great. So I'm not sure if I'd go with cheapest cables when I get the S-video cable. I'd at least try Philips which is cheaper than Monster but still pretty good construction.

I'm planning to upgrade the speaker cables with Monster Cables, but not just yet.

(I have to get a new Tv anyway, and the JVC model that I like has all kinds of inputs, incl. S-video)

Thanks again!!!

[ April 04, 2005, 11:40 AM: Message edited by: 97tbird ]

Bob Woods · Apr 4, 2005

Quattro Pete · Apr 4, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by kenw:
"Of course, I have yet to see a notebook with composite outputs."

used to be fairly common. Had one on my Compaq Armada 4100 and on my Armada E500. I could also xfer a large PPT presentation (mostly photos) directly to video tape. DVD-R made the need for that somewhat obsolete...

(these were commmercial grade notebooks, not consumer grade)

Actually, I just noticed I mixed this up. Component uses 3 rca cables; composite uses 1. So, I meant to say "I have yet to see notebooks with component outputs (3 rca)."

Sorry for the mix up.

Quattro Pete · Apr 4, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by 97tbird:
This is the Onkyo I have the laptop connected to:
http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=MC35TECH&class=Audiosys&p=i

Nice little mini system. It looks like you could use a decent sub though.

For proper movie experience, it does make a whole lot of difference to actually have 5 separate speakers (2 front, 1 center, 2 rear, sub optional) and feed 5.1 DD AC3 signal straight into the amp.

BTW, here's the receiver I've been using for home theater, although it's been sitting packed in a box for the last 2 years since I have no space for a home theater system right now.

http://www.usa.denon.com/catalog/photos/avr2801.jpg

In my old apartment:
http://www.zie.neostrada.pl/Various/ht.jpg

Do you watch DVD's on your laptop?

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