*HP HDX DRAGON Owners Lounge, Part 1*

Back in the day, when I was an audio nut, "Class A" was pretty much defined as Tube amplifiers, or any amplifier whose circuitry did not switch (no transistors, for example). The circuits are always ON and therefore generate a bunch of heat and use lots of power.

Now, I know HP did a good design on the HDX, but where, oh where, did they hide those tubes in your "Class A" chipset?

Can you believe there are Class A amps for the iPod?

 

I know you didn't address this to me, but what do you mean by "natively"? I wasn't clear on what you were asking him...

 

So does changing the audio quality in the Windows Sound control panel to "24-bit 48000hz Studio Quality" mode make the "native" change in the chipset or is it Windows resampling and interpolating?

 

Does anyone know if the HD chasis from the HDX might work in a HP DV9000? I have to do some data transfer and hate to have to spend the $25 on a chassis for the DV9000.

Thanks.

Scott

 

My HDX defaulted to 16 bit CD Quality. I had to change it to 24 bit, 48000hz Studio Quality. Am I in "fake mode" then?

 

Rumba,

Given your comparison to color bit depth and that resampling a 256 color image to 16 million colors still leaves you with 256 colors (lowest common denominator), it seems counterproductive to run a digital source back through something like these Class A iPod amplifiers. Since the source is digital, you've already lost the "analogness" of the sound source, so running it through a Class A tube amp isn't going to recreate that.

Maybe I'mm wrong, but that is what seems logical. You can't get more than what you started with.

(Not to derail the HDX topics with this audiophile stuff, so I'll not continue it myself...)

 

Tube amps are analog devices. So sample rate terminology does not apply. Sample rate terminology only applies a D/A (digital to analogue) and A/D (analogue to digital) conversion. Also to DSP (digital signal processing).

 

I'm looking into getting a Boothroyd Stuart Meridian system. Best all around compromises in a Class A system. I was considering pairing the system with Martin Logans just because of the coolness factor. You just gotta love the look of those speakers. But I don't think Meridian's digital speakers when paired up with the 861 can be beat.

What kind of band are you in?

 

@rumba

Yep. But it didn't lend to the explanation of why Class A tube amps sound so good. The Nyquist-Shannon theory only applies sampling rates and approximation of analogue signaling. It doesn't account for sampling overlap (which antialiasing attempts to fix), SNR of amplification, transition bands, wow and flutter. Among a few other things which give analogue amplification it's charm.

In any event, lancorp picked up on a basic conundrum of sampling. If source sucks, higher sample rates will bring out it suckiness even more due to both gaps in sample filled by oversample and overlap without antialiasing. Many older CDs suffered from this problem when the material was recorded in analogue, mixed in analogue or digital, then mastered digital. An ordinary stereo setup wouldn't pick it up all that much, but played on anything decent, boy was it irksome. Then came the oversampling/downsampling CD transports that had corrective (antialiasing) circuitry to clean up that mess.

Anyway, I'm going to follow lancorps sugggestion and return to HDX speak. We're all members of a now discontinued legend.

 

OK, now that it's the weekend, and I'm getting a chance to really play with my new HDX, I have to say I'm impressed.

(I know that the HDX is not new to most of you, so excuse my "kid in a candy store" enthusiam)

I did discover that when I load up RightMark's RMClock, for some reason, the CPU speed on my HDX stays at 2.5Ghz all the time! Yea! Now, despite the naysayers that preach one cannot tell the difference between a contant 2.5 and the EIST or whatever they call it now where the CPU cycles from some fraction of top speed to max, you can. I notice that a lot of normal activity happens on a PC is not enough to trigger the Speedstep, so I'm basically operating at half speed or less. With it pegged at 2.5Ghz, this PC flies! There is barely any heat coming out the back in this mode, either, and RMClock reports my core at 84F.

Now, I also use Tunebite for processing MP3's, and on my Dell M2010 (T7200-based 2.0Ghz), when TB is processing 9 simultaneous songs, it runs about 70-80% cpu. My new HDX runs the same thing at around 30-40% CPU!

And, I have to say, with the 5929 drivers working, the sound is phenomenal. Lee Ritenour's Smoke 'N' Mirrors song has so much definition, it surrounds me with instruments.

I'm sold on the HDX.

 

"Digital audio, isn't that where they take a perfectly good analog signal and chop it up into little tiny pieces?" Rupert Neve

 

Hey, didn't you know about the new class of microscopic tubes?
Well, neither did I.
This is funny!
;-)

 

Hey All,

Still enjoying my new 9494, but after updating Quick-play right after initial boot in order to be able to play blu-rays, I inserted Nim's Island. Drive recognizes movie but I get a Red screen with a blah blah blah message about "disc won't paly till firmware updated...."

So I used SIW to figure out Mat****a Blu-ray. Then tried to find any firmware drivers etc for it . (UJ-120) nothing. Tried rebooting, re-inserting disc, system restore(windows update after quick-play update. , no help. When I go to device manager, no ?, drive shows Nim's Island. Same red screen. okokok enough from me , HELP...lol

Brad from Bremerton

 

Anybody ever hear of the ASUS XG Station? Nearing release, it works with the Express Card slot to bypass an internal graphics card and allow the notebook to run an external desktop graphics card with an external monitor. Though it comes with an Asus EN7900GS, the card can be swapped out for, presumably, a better one.

Sounds fairly exciting.

 

Has anyone having problem with update dreamscene packs. My hdx9494nr has frooze and no respond anything.

 

Hi guys! At last, I have ordered HDX (WUXGA,8800GTS) during last HP's GRAZIEST discount time EVER!!! Well, looking forward to get it this or next week! Will inform you on how it all went, as my last experience finished with bright red DEAD/STUCKED pixel on a screen and sending the HDX back to HP for a full refund.

 

Brad,
I had the same problem with mine when I first got it, same firmware message etc. Forget trying to find an HP update - even though their support bulletin specifically recommends it, they "forgot" to upload the **** thing to their site. If you've got a Sony/Optiarc BD-ROM, you can't use the update on the Sony site - it won't install. If you've got one of the newer drives it might be different - check your Device Manager to see which one you've got (double click on the drive link)

Even so, I was able to get mine to work. Couple of questions:

What version of QuickPlay did you update it with?
Which drive (OEM and model #) do you have?
What's the HP Part/Product (not model) # on your system?

I've been able to play Version 2 BD's without any problem, so it has to be something other than the player assuming you've got the same drive. But I never assume anything....

 

I was just fiddling around with the Nvidia display settings (brightness, contrast, gamma, etc..) and was wondering what settings other people use. Anyone fiddle around with the color? I think the green is a little off.

So far, I've set my brightness to +30, digital vibrance 0, contrast +30, image sharpening 0, gamma +30. I think this is a pretty good balance. I have yet to change color balance - seems a little too saturated.

I thought the factory settings were a bit much in pushing the brightness and contrast up to +50.

Just thought it'd be interesting to see other people's preferences. Thanks.

Oh and...HDX rules!

 

Well, I'm suppose to get my hdx back from hp repair on the 15th. Now I see that it has been discontinued, why is this? Kind of makes me nervous as to why they would discontinue a product like that. I haven't had it long, I just hope that they will honor the warranty that is on the product for 1 year. So far I haven't had any issues, I sent it fed ex overnight and they said it is in process of repair. Hopefully I will get it back working great .

 

Anyone know how to set that pretty green button in the center of the remote to start a different media player than Media Center? I'd like it to start my Zune software, if possible...

Thanks!

 

I use screen brightness 80%, then the nvidia panel: brightness 45%, contrast 60%, digital vibrance 5%, and gamma 42%.

Use this site with test your settings, I think you'll be surprised.

http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/

Do them fullscreen with the lights out.

 

Whats everyones opinion of the 175.53 Nvidia drivers? Is any better drivers for performance generally?

 

Hello all!

I just received the 9490eo with WSXGA+ display. When I check my desktop settings the resolution is 1920x1200. Is there any benefits using higher resolution than the native? Can it harm the display?

 

hey HDX owners.

i found an aussie site that still sells the HDX (though most of their choices are factory refurbished)

should i buy a HDx from them (entique systems.com)? they offer 3 year international warranty with the laptops as an addon

also, would u recommend bringing the HDX to boarding school? i will get a lock and maybe lojack (if i can find it here in australia) but a 20.1in laptop would just scream "steal me now" imo.

but i know some of you guys are college students. Has anyone ever tried to steal it? is it alright to carry around once in a while?

thanks

 

I take it the HDX9490EO is a boxed, pre-configured unit?

What's with people getting a WUXGA ($350 option) screen when it's supposed to have WSXGA+? Although I can't complain on the HDX deals I've gotten, that is one heck of a great "freebie" that I had to pay $350 for!

Keisone is the 2nd person to report it, so there have probably been hundreds that got the free upgraded display! And, I'm surprised HP would do that because the WUXGA can make everything so small...I bet most people don't like it and wind up dialing down the res only to get a fuzzy-looking display!

Maybe I should call HP and demand another credit! (just kidding)...

 

I guess I'll see when my HDX w/WUXGA shows up in the coming weeks. (Yes, in the final days of the HDX, I ordered a 2nd unit with WUXGA and the free blu-ray and the 30% discount, thinking I'd return the first...but now I just think I'll resell the first).

You are probably right, though. I remember a 17" with WUXGA being very, very small (which doesn't bother me, and I actually like because of the sharpness and screen real-estate), so I figured the 20" would be relatively small too...

 

Yeah, it is a boxed. So it is not possible to use 1920x1200 if the screen has native resolution of 1650x1050? I'm still figuring out if its really WUXGA screen I've got.

Btw I work at HP in Finland and we can order one laptop or desktop per year with discount.

 

Yeah, changing the Windows DPI doesn't ever work very well...most programs aren't custom-dpi saavy and I always found that text in windows never was positioned or sized right.

Also, some quick calculations show that a 20.1" WSXGA+ is equivalent to a 15.4" WXGA (1280x800). The 20.1" WUXGA is more closely equivalent to a 15.4" WSXGA+ (1440 x 900) in raw panel dpi. Otherwise, your example has the WUXGA 20.1" equal to a basic 15.4. What would the 20.1" WSXGA+ be equal to? There isn't anything lower in 15.4!

 

If the selection is there to choose 1920x1200, then that is what you have. I have seen some monitors mis-read the PnP info, and if you choose higher than your monitor has, the screen scrolls when your mouse hits the right edge or bottom (kind of like a Virtual display). Consider yourself very lucky!

 

Just to add to my post. I've found that the digital vibrance setting is pretty much useless. I'm still curious to see how others have tweaked their visual settings.

 

We only had a pre-configured HDX9490EO to order and I have looked finnish sites that sell this version and they all tell it has got WSXGA+ screen. Well I can't complain!

 

Mobile,
Matrox (remember I told you I use Matrox boards in my desktops) has had those kinds of devices available for quite a while, although not for a notebook. You can use notebooks with their Graphics Expansion Modules, allowing you to use and view up to 3 external monitors at the same time. Their remote graphics systems allow you to connect the GXM's to it, and have the host computer system as far away as 250' connected via fiber optic cable. You can also connect your I/O devices to it as well - keyboard, mouse, etc. Think of it as a docking station with an onboard graphics unit, capable of 1080p resolution, with the computer sitting 250' away connected to a fiber optic cable. Add to that a triple or quad monitor display and you've got a cool setup.

Go to Matrox.com and check out the GXM's and the Remote Graphics boxes. You might want to use them one day when you're making lots of money as a GD.

 

Wow, that is super bright. Especially in a dark room, I think your settings are way too bright.

The way I've been tweaking it is using a digital photograph and trying to get a natural looking image. Also, it's important to me that the letters on the screen don't aren't surrounded by a crazy bright white - which is what you'll get with 80% brightness and 60% contrast. To each his own.

I've found that since reducing brightness, gamma, and contrast to 30%, text is much more readable and my eyes are much more tolerant to the screen - I can last longer in front of the monitor. Details and vibrancy are not lost either.

It's kind of interesting that tweaking the visuals on a monitor are akin to tweaking the sound on a stereo system. I tend to lean toward a neutral sound - not accentuating the highs or lows, but rather trying to get a natural, lifelike sound.

On my plasma, out of the box, I hated the over saturated colors and pumped up brightness and contrast - it just didn't look real or natural. However, some people love the maxed out settings. Interesting.

 

I think you may have misread my post.

 

Nice site! Good lookin' out.

 

HA ha! Rumba. Your sig is hilarious. Nicely done.

 

To Cybervision and maybe 2.0,

"Cybevision"
What version of QuickPlay did you update it with? 3.7
Which drive (OEM and model #) do you have? Mat, ****a cmb UJ-120
What's the HP Part/Product (not model) # on your system? FE882UA

 

Yes, I am aware that any panel advertised size is DIAGONAL, but I used the actual panel dimensions (from panel manufacturers specs) in the horizontal and vertical directions (inches)and divided that into the number of pixels (1280 and 800) and determined that the 20.1" WSXGA+ screen is the same dpi in both directions as a 1440x900 15.4" panel (about 98dpi). The WUXGA panel is about 113dpi.

Obviously, your mentioning a 7" and 12/13" panels would have a much different dpi, since the panel sizes are much smaller. Same res on a 12" panel has an even higher dpi, that's my my old XPS 700m and M1210 looked so good!

 

I just bought a core 2 extreme x9000 off of ebay for 389 dollars. It should be here later this week. I'm looking forward installing it.

 

I saw those on ebay also. They come from Asia? You do know they are "ES" versions, right?

I thought of getting an X9000, but now that I know I have to basically completely disassemble the HDX to change the CPU, I'm not so anxious!

 

No reason to scare the poor guy! It's not illegal in the sense that having one is akin to having a kilo of crack, but according to the website you referenced, there certainly isn't anything illegal about having one.

Now, the person/company that sold it, on the other hand, could be in trouble with Intel, I suppose, if Intel wanted it back. It is against Intel's policy to resell an ES CPU, as it doesn't "belong" to the seller in the first place.

There are plenty of "ES" CPU's out there for sale on ebay. If they were illegal, they wouldn't be on ebay.

My only reason to point out the ES designation to the OP was that ES processors may not be supported on all systems!

 

Yeah I'm taking a risk that it could possibly not work on my system but he offered a 4 month warrenty (voids if overclocks) and he has sold other ES which according to the customers, they work(also should take them with a grain of salt). Finally, after a period of time, intel doesn't really care about them anymore. Take the 3.6 ghz p4 ES my dad got a few years ago from intel. It was top of the line p4 back then. Intel wanted the cpu in a year but till this day, we still have it.

Edit: Found this topic http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=288425&page=2 The person got a better deal than me btw.

 

It's a crazy formula they use that factors number of posts, length of forum membership and rep.

 

Hey one of my keyboard keys just popped off and I can't get it to go back on.
Any suggestions?

 

Sorry, I don't have the blu-ray option.

 

Well, I found another new and exciting bug with the 5607 IDT driver. This time it's in the recording devices config screen.

The driver will not retain the 10 db microphone boost setting; and this is with no other apps running or using the microphone. The option is there and I can select it, the driver simply refuses to retain it. Instead it jumps to 20 db. The only options it will remember are 0 db, 20 db, and 30 db. I need it at 10. Unchecking the advanced options don't fix it either.

And I thought Creatives drivers were bad!

 

Okay, I've read the manual and help files, and I need help...

Using either QuickPlay or Windows Media Center (anything else I can try??) how to I get S-Video video input (from a Playstation 2) to actually INPUT? I've got the sound hooked up to the little jack next to the S-Video in the back of the HDX. But no matter what I do, what settings I try -- I can not select "S-Video" as my video input.

With the exception of (in Windows Media Center) selecting "CABLE" or "SATELLITE", selecting "NO" to the set-top box -- but when I select S-VIDEO, there is still no video.

What am I doing wrong here? Again, is there some other program I should be using?

Thanks for the help!

 

Hey, Ive asked some questions here before and always got some great responses. My HDX is currently running sound and video to my TV through the HDMI. I'm looking to connect my HDX and my TV to a receiver I just got and want surround sound from it. How would be the best way to do this, laptop to TV through hdmi and then TV to receiver through another hdmi? Thanks

 

Thanks CyberVisions
I went to the Matrox site. The one thing that's unclear about the Matrox, Magma, and Asus solutions is whether they work with notebooks with discrete graphic cards. Apparently the Asus device has gone through a number of incarnations. The newest iteration may allow you to output the graphics back into the notebook screen if desired.

The attraction of these devices, if I'm getting the story correctly, is that they allow you to use an advanced desktop card to permit more sophisticated graphics. Outputting to multiple monitors is less important to me than graphics capability.

 

Just finished downloading the update to QuickPlay (I clicked on "UPDATE" from within QuickPlay itself) -- when I try to run the program, an error box pops up with, "Error: This program can only be installed on a Hewlett-Packard system".

I'm running the factory installed OS.