How does HDMI output work?

Hi all,

Was hoping someone could explain this too me, it might be really simple but I don't fully understand it.

I used to think laptops could, at maximum, output the same resolution as the laptop's native resolution. But it seems like, even if your laptop's max resolution is 1366x768, you can output through HDMI to a monitor/TV at full 1080p (assuming, of course, that monitor/TV supports 1080p) - is this correct?

If this is true, I'm assuming then:
- If my laptop is 720p, and I output to 720p, there will no additional stress on my GPU for things like gaming.
- If my laptop is 720p, and I output to 1080p, then there would be additional stress on the GPU to render at the much higher resolution
- Similarly, if my laptop was 1080p but my monitor/TV only supported 720p, the GPU would less taxed, but of course, at the loss of "useable/viewable" screen real estate on the monitor/TV

Thanks for the help.

 

- Yep, 720p is 720p, no matter which monitor you're using. I'm assuming you have the laptop's monitor turned off; if both are on, you'll need enough power to supply the external monitor for gaming, plus whatever you're doing on the laptop monitor (idle, web surfing, whatever).

- Yep, the stress added will depend on the games you're playing. The 8600M GT is a bit aged, so it may struggle with newer games at 1080p.

- See above. If you're not doing anything on the 1080p laptop monitor, it shouldn't tax your system much. Basically, it'll be as if you lowered the resolution on your laptop from 1080p to 720p.

 

Thanks for the answer.

And no, haha, I wasn't referring to my current laptop, I don't even have HDMI on here : )

I was more thinking about options for a future laptop. It's pretty pricey to get both a 1080p and a decent (high) midrange GPU. Given what you've told me though, now I can consider a cheaper laptop with a strong GPU, + HDMI and 1080p monitor as a possible option.

 

Um, no? Why would you want to do that? If you need a good gpu then you need a good laptop. That's how you pick you laptop, you start with how you will use your machine i.e., the application.

 

Not sure what you're getting at. As I've stated getting a good laptop with FHD and a strong GPU is expensive. Alternatively, you can get a laptop with just a strong GPU, or just FHD (but getting just FHD would obviously be pointless if I want to game).

So I could buy a laptop with 720p resolution and good GPU (7960M XT in the dv6, or GT 650M in 11" Sager springs to mind), and buy a 1080p monitor, perhaps at a later date to spread out my spending.
Or, I could buy a dv6 with both 7690M XT and FHD (none exist in Canada), or another laptop of similar caliber.

EDIT: by "good" here I'm referring to midrange cards.

 

Take the GTX 660M as an example. Although you could have a notebook with a 720p display, the 660M is still capable of handling resolutions up to 3840 x 2160 through HDMI

Wouldn`t recommend gaming at that resolution though

 

FYI, check NVIDIA release notes (download Adobe doc)
NVIDIA Release Note: Graphics Drivers for Windows - Version 295.73

Flat Panel Scaling Controls are Non-functional for Some TV Modes for Some Displays.
The NVIDIA Control Panel flat panel scaling controls on the ʺAdjust Desktop Size &
Positionʺ page are not intended to be used for TV modes, and normally the controls are
not available for TV or HDTV displays.

However, Microsoft requires that certain TV/HDTV modes be available for all digital
displays, including DVI and HDMI, even if they are not HDTV.
While the NVIDIA flat panel scaling controls are available for those displays, they will
not be functional for the TV modes that appear in compliance with the Microsoft
requierements.

The affected modes are as follows:
 1920x1080i @50/59.94/60 Hz
 1280x720p @50/59.94/60 Hz
 720x480p @ 59.94/60 Hz
 720x576p @ 50 Hz

 

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I just thought of something else, audio.
Since HDMI carries both audio and video signals, is possible/straightforward to use a USB headset (or 3.5mm) plugged into the laptop for audio? Does it matter if the monitor has speakers or not?
I did a quick google and it seems like some people are having trouble with this. I would have assumed it would be as easy as setting a plugged in USB headset to the default for sound playback.

 

So then, you're describing a situation where you have a TV or monitor hooked up via HDMI, and you want the sound to go to a headset instead?

If you plug in anything into the audio out port (headphones), sound will usually default to that set of headphones. I do have a DP-to-HDMI cable, TV (with speakers, obviously), and headphones to test whenever my roommate is done using said TV >.<

 

Yes, that is what I was trying to describe. I'm wondering because of the possibility of headsets with mics (which of course need to be hooked up to the laptop).

Even if not using a mic, obviously, if using a monitor, the speakers are going to suck, and the laptop may or may not cut it. External speakers are an option (which could be hooked up to the monitor) but given my living situation I'm much more likely to use headphones/headset over loud speakers.

 

Most laptops should have a S/PDIF 3.5mm jack for audio line-out.
This jack has dual functionality. Connects headphone to 3.5mm copper
or 3.5mm toslink optical cable to a HT receiver.

RealTek will auto sense headphone connection (laptop main speakers mute).
To use toslink, right click speaker icon, make RealTek digital output the default.
A red led light will be seen at the other end of the toslink, connect it.

Go into RealTek digital out properties, advanced tab, select 2 channel
24 bit 48khz & test or 5.1 & test. If the test tones are heard, then apply.