*HP HDX DRAGON Owners Lounge, Part 1*

Glad you brought that up. Yes it's replaceable. It's just a Mini-PCIe card with an access hatch on the bottom of the HDX. It's only a matter of time before the Avermedia A321s show up on ebay or some such. There's a few A312's on there now.

The ATSC (A312) tuner can connect to cable now. It just can't receive QAM (HDTV or digital) channels. Gets all the analogue channels.

 

For those of you who have military ties or background (i.e. active duty, retired, Nat'l Guard, etc...) the AAFES (Army & Air Force Exchange Service) site has the HDX9494NR-E for $1599 which includes free shipping via UPS. Got mine in 6 days after I ordered it. You will have to log in using your military details to buy from the site, but it is well worth it as there is no sales tax (I live in Texas, currently getting ready to ride out Hurricane Ike) and the aforementioned free shipping. Dependents can buy from the site, but they will need to know the details of their military sponsor. Processor Clock Speed 2.1 GHz Processor Number T8100 320GB hard drive
4GB RAM NVIDIA GeForce 8800M GTS Video Memory Installed Size 512 MB
Windows Vista Home Premium (64-Bit) Mine came with the Blu-Ray player too. The company that is supplying these units is called "New Age" for those of you who want to google it and see if you can order one direct. Good Luck and love the forum.

 

I couldn't find anything that you posted last night so maybe you can be more specific on the problem you're having. As far as the Tuner, why are you using an antenna when you should have it plugged into a cable box? Guess I missed something...

First thing - clean your monitor of any drool or other "spots" from watching all that XXX in Hi-Def.

If you're running your wireless adapter when watching a BD playback, turn it off - sometimes you can get wireless interference that'll affect your playback quality. You should also close any applications that are running. Open applications can cause periodic interference if a background process associated with it starts up, or if it accesses your HD for any reason. Make sure you're not around anything else that could cause interference, like a wireless router, cordless phone base, hot babe, a small child, Chihuahua, etc.

Keep a good size steel-toed boot handy for any Chihuahua interference - small kids are best mouth taped and stuck in a nearby closet or other handy space, like a basement, attic, etc.

If you don't know what to do with a hot babe, nothing I can tell you will help..

As far as settings for Blu-Ray playback - If you haven't already, update QP to the latest driver in the support page. Other settings that you should check:

Open your NVIDIA CP, and open up the 3D settings menu. Click on Manage 3D Settings. Under the Global tab, check the following:
Check Anisotropic Filtering and Antialiasing are set to Application Controlled. Note: If you ever use an external display, make sure that the Multi-Display/Mixed GPU Acceleration setting further down is set to Multiple Display Performance Mode. It probably already is, but check it anyway.

Move down to Video and Television, Adjust Video Color Settings. This adjusts your Video / TV input playback quality, whereas the display settings are for the monitor itself, if that makes sense...

Click on the Enhancements tab. This brings up your Edge Enhancement and Noise Reduction settings, which can help with any Video noise or speckles in the playback. The Edge setting is for edge sharpness if the edges are fuzzy.
On the Standard tab, adjust your Brightness and Contrast to adjust

Use the settings on the Standard and RGB Gamma to adjust your playback to what you want as well. Placing the cursor over each setting will tell you what it does.

That should at least help. If it doesn't let me know, got a few other tricks up my sleeve.

If any of you haven't seen David Gilmour Live at the Royal Albert Hall in Blu-Ray, you're really missing out on something great. If you're too young to know or appreciate who David Gilmour is, then you should lock yourself away so the rest of the world doesn't have to deal with you.

 

Any recommendations?

 

Hooking up to cable is simply not an option.

As for the BD suggestions, those are the sorts of tips I was looking for, and I'll try them. Do you think that PowerDVD might give better performance than Quickplay?


Oh, and I was listening to Dark Side of the Moon probably before you were born.

 

WinDVD9 is considered the best of the bunch. Best clarity and more according to many.

 

Somewhat related question: what's the difference, in terms of performance, between the T8100 (2.10GHz) processor and T9300? For games, Adobe programs, etc?

 

Yeah, that's also what I've heard. I'm thinking for 69 dollars, I can't really go wrong. Thanks for the input.

 

I've got one of the AverMedia 312's installed in my HDX already. It was on the configuration list as Integrated HP HDTV Hybrid TV Tuner. Forget what the other option was, probably nothing.

I guess that answers the question as to why Star couldn't hook to cable, and I was wondering about 2.0's remarks about not getting HD or digital channels because I use my HDX to watch/record from it all the time.

Have we solved the case of Rumba's missing posts? Or Rumba missing in general?

 

Well, we don't have a cable box. We use a cable card, and the cable goes right into the TV. I suppose I could use a splitter and extension cable, but it's really not worth the trouble.

Rumba was around this morning. His name was on the list. I think he disappeared his own posts and I have a theory but since it's only that, I'll keep it to myself.

 

Yes im one of those buyers........i ordered mine on 8-29 and it was suppposed to be shipped 9-10 but they didnt......so i called the night of 9-10 they said it will for sure be shipped the next morning (9-11).......the next day around noonish i arrived home from class to see it still hasnt been shipped. so i called and they gave me some stupid run around and said since 9-11 was a holiday that it wont be shipped till next......(this is when i got really pissed b/c 9-11 is not a holiday) so i asked to speak to a manager and she told me that she promised that it would be shipped within the next 24 hours. so i was fine with that until 3 hours later i recieved an email w/ a 50 dollar coupon from hp saying that it will be backorderd until the 10-10-08. i was extremely mad so i called customer service and told them my situation and how i've been told mutilpe different stories about my notebook and they credited my account with 100 dollars( I kinda had to push for it, at first they were hesitant b/c i did use that 30% off coupon when purchasing my notebook which gave a 867 dollar discount)
anyways to conclude it sucks waiting over a month to get my HDX but i really dont want to setlle for anything else

plus, im gettiing a sweet deal,
867 dollars at purchase
100 credit b/c of the shipping delay
and also they are supposed to credit me the amount of the the blue ray player b.c the next day after i ordered my notebook they released the labor day sell
i forget how much it is but it was around 250-300 dollars

so now im going to just sit and wait and try to figure out which components caused the backorder

 

That's really strange, Allen. I ordered mnie on 8/28 and it was shipped on September 6 (originally scheduled for 9/9). I gues I got the last one before they ran out of something, maybe the blu-ray players they were suddenly giving away.

 

Starborn.....
what are your components.......?
this i what i ordered with mine.......
- HP Pavilion HDX Entertainment Series CTO
- Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
- Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.50GHz)
- 20.1" diagonal WUXGA High-Definition HP Ultra Brightview Widescreen (1920x1200)-"True HD" 1080p res
- 4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
- 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8800M GTS
- 240GB 5400RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (120GB x 2)
- Webcam + Fingerprint Reader
- Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
- Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
- Integrated HP HDTV Hybrid TV Tuner and 4 Altec Lansing speakers +the HP Triple Bass Reflex subwoofer
- 9 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
- Power Pack software - muvee autoProducer Premium, Cyberlink DVD Suite Premium and Serif Web Plus
- $100 OFF Microsoft(R) Office Home and Student 2007!!
- Norton Internet Security(TM) 2008 - 3 Year Subscription
- HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

..........i wonder what is causing such a delay.....?

 

Mine is identical, except I got 120GB x 2 7200rpm drives, and no MS Office or Norton subscription.

 

o thats wierd....i doubt its the hard drive.....i bet it was the free blue ray and yours was probably one of the last before they ran out.....o well

 

It's got to be better than the somewhat dumbed down cyberlink engine the quickplay uses.

If time isn't of the essence, give the trial a go just to be sure:

http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/us/en/Product/1208530085664#versionTabview=tab0&tabview=tab6

 

Darn you! I tried to angle for additional discount because of the shipping delay, but I guess I wasn't mad enough. Lancorp and I are speculating that it's the WUXGA screen that's causing the delay since both our orders were configured with it. Anyways, good deal you got there.

 

The problem was probably the 20.1 inch screens. I bet they planned to discontinue the model when they ran out of screens, then got a rush of orders and were caught short-handed.

It could have been the cases, for that matter.

 

It shouldn't bottleneck games all that much. I remember when the gateway gaming lappy came out it had a 1.6ghz or thereabout CPU in it coupled with an 8800M GTS. It was a decent setup. But a few posters upgraded to a 2 ghz CPU and things really flew. At 2ghz and above, the GPU tends to become the bottleneck in the system. RTS games tend to benefit more from more powerful CPU's than FPS or role playing games.

As for Adobe's software, like PDF creation or photoshop, we're talking about shaving off a few seconds here and there. Nothing earth shattering. If you did a lot of work which these kinds of programs, an X9000 would certainly increase your productivity.

 

You're probably right about the screens. Some have reported that they were getting WUXGA when they ordered WSXGA+.

 

Hey,

Does this look right to you? I have a HDX 9250EA, and before I did a clean Vista install I'm sure that the Display Settings didn't look like this. I'm sure it wasn't shown as a Generic PnP monitor?

Could someone check theirs please.



Thanks

 

I'm using a clean install. It is a generic PNP monitor. You can see it listed in device manager under monitors.

Anyway, mine looks like that too.

It's all good.

Right click your desktop and access the Nvidia control panel. Choose advanced settings. Click change resolution. It should say "laptop display."

 

Speaking of displays...I am really thinking of upgrading to the 1920 x 1200 if I can find one. HP doesn't seem to have any, can only find the one I have on eBay. Any ideas?

 

3rd party part suppliers for the HDX are hard to come by.

I only know of one so far. www.pchub.com

But they only have the WSXGA+ so far.

 

Hey, you're in my thoughts as Ike bears down on you. Saw the news about it tonight. Be safe and best wishes. Hope all goes well for you, your family and friends.

 

David Gilmore... Who the fat guy who sings Roger Water's songs? You know what Waters did when he left the PF? He toured the world with david Sanborn playing saxophone and Eric Clapton Playing guitar, and man the Pink Floyd songs were something else played by someone who can play guitar.

 

I'm going to disagree on the screen for different reasons, but primarily because I just don't think that's it.

I'm guessing (of course it depends on the guys here and their orders and what everyone has configured) it's the BD-ROM switchover. HP recently switched the Sony/Optiarc BD-ROM for a Mat's unit. With an influx of orders and a discount on BD units, they probably haven't had time to deal with any engineering or configuration issues that may have popped up after switching. I think it was Brad who posted recently that he had one of the new Mats. BD-ROM's in his HDX, and his is the first I've seen actually being delivered. It was just a rumor a few weeks ago.

Screens are manufactured by the thousands - even if they're going to discontinue a 20" screen ( and 2.0 and I disagree on whether or not it's a permanent change - I don't think it is, but time will tell) the HDX isn't the only thing that component can be used in, and there's certainly no shortage of them.

I keep wondering about the 18" model as well, although 2.0 probably knows whether or not what I'm thinking is the case or not.

Marketing the HDX as a 20.1" unit based on the screen size wasn't a great marketing decision for the masses, only for some of us who need extra screen real estate. For us, these units are DTR's, not really notebooks. Even though notebooks have traditionally been marketed by screen size (measured diagonally) there's nothing preventing them from marketing a notebook based on it's actual dimensions. The 20.1" HDX's actual width? 18.7".

Also, as I've posted before, I really think that the rise in 64bit system purchases is going to fuel a demand for bigger monitor sizes. Who wants to watch a BD movie on a dinky 15 or 17" screen?? Sure, you can output the signal to a large HDTV monitor, but that's not really portability. If you're going to do that you might as well just get a standalone BD player for $399 or a PS3.

I asked my friend who's a retired HP Engineer if he still had any contacts that would know for sure about what's happened to our HDX. He replied that he does, but that he's on vacation until next week, and he said he'd ask then. Hopefully we'll know before that time, but if not, keep your fingers crossed...

 

I'm curious as to what you mean here.

 

Possible also. But then again, they most probably use the same optical drive in the DV5 and DV7. And AFAIK, there's been no delays with those orders in those lines.

The HDX's screen is a custom order. It's a dual lamp with lower watt use than a standard desktop panel. The Wsxga+ (1680x1050) panel itself could possibly be interchangeable with a desktop panel since that is the standard resolution of desktop panels. But the WUXGA is not since AFIAK, HP does not make a 20.1" desktop monitor with 1920 x 1200 resolution. I don't know who sells a desktop monitor with that reso. Dot pitch is too small for a desktop panel. They usually start @ 24" but a few make 22" at that reso.

That might have been a better marketing decision. In fact, they should have called it a portable all-in-one or something to that effect. All the reviews listed as a con, it's size and weight. And that was based upon the idea that it's a notebook. User comments on various websites scoffed at the idea that it's called a notebook.

I wonder if this will give rise to all-in-one units like the iMac. Or mini IPX type systems like the Dell Mini. My worry now is that when it comes time to replace my HDXs, there will never be another notebook at this size. All have failed to sell well. Dell's XPS M2010. Sager's 20", Acer's 20". Even if they found a way to shave down weight, I just think the size is not what people want. The 15" notebook is the hottest selling size still. And they don't need full HD on that size. 720P would suffice since at that size, you truly can't tell the difference between 1080p and 720p.

Can't wait. Hopefully we can get some ballparks and insight into the HDX lineup.

 

How do I find out what type of RAM and Tuner do I have in my system without taking the computer apart? My window Experience Index scores the RAM (4GB) at 5.1. Is it worth upgrading to a different RAM to improve performance? Thanks

 

If it's the stock HP stuff, then it's DDR2-667 RAM. Your only other choice is DDR2-800, which has the same CAS latency (5) as the 667 stuff, and i'm not sure DDR2-800 would work as DDR2-800 (it might downclock to 667).

I have 8GB RAM in my HDX and my WEI index for memory hovers between 5.0 and 5.1 also.

 

For RAM, download this program: http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

Just multiply what it says for speed by 2 since it's dual data rate.

As for TV tuner card: control panel/device manager/sound video & gamecontrollers/ TV tuner. Then click the the details tab, then click drop down menu box and select hardware ID. It should say A312 or A321.

A321 is a AQM tuner. A312 is just an ATSC.

And Lancorp is right, ddr2-800 will downclock to 667mhz. Faster CAS latentcy ram will only improve your system by about 1-2% avg.

 

Hi

I'm the owner of a new HP HDX9320EA laptop

The installed graphics card is a NviDIA 8800M GTS : driver version is
7.15.11.6753

Am I up to date - I've tried without luck to update the driver to 177.xx - the
installer says that it can't find windows Vista32 - but that is the OS

I tried 175.32 - the installer says it cannot find any compatable drivers on the system

Thanks in advance for any help - hope I'm posting in the right place!

 

Thank you for the fast response Lancorp and 2.0. You guys are top notch.
2.0 - I've located the info as you suggested and it's a A321.

Any idea why HP didn't offer the 1066FSB processors and newer graphic card like the 9800 series? I spoke to the HP Tech and he stated that there's no current plan on any other upgrades for HDX. I've read quite a few posts here stating that the HDX will be discontinue soon.

 

Well,

I put some time into setting up the HDX.

So far I like it. I did wind up using Acronis. Did one base factory image, then another with the HDX customized with most of my apps installed. So if I booger it up, at least I can restore to a base working image.

In anycase, I would say from a photographers perspective it is awesome. The 20 inch screen is a boon. I calibrated it with an eye one display 2 and it 'looks' like it will do well for image editing. The true test there is when I send off prints and how the colors come out.

Although many photogs do not like the 'shiny' screens for editing, I found I can work with it. I would think there would be a big demand from Photoshop guys....

So far so good.

Regards and thanks to all those posting great info on this thread!

Scott

 

For HP to offer the new 1066mhz FSB processors, they'd need a new mobo since they only work at rated speed with the cantiga chipset. All a part of Monetvina platform or what's called Centrino 2. HDX uses the Santa Rosa platform which has the PM965 chipset with 800mhz FSB. All of HP's new Intel based DV 4,5,7 series uses Centrino 2.

HDX has been discontinued. HDX is supposed to comeback as a line of computers like Dell's XPS. Don't know when but I'm guessing in early 2009. They already have a HDX desktop computer which sells in China and an HDX mouse.

 

If you're getting them from laptopvideo2go, you have to download a modded inf that contains 8800m GTS in the inf. Vendor ID should have this in it also "\VEN_10DE&DEV_0609&SUBSYS_30D4103C" Or at least DEV_0609.

I'm running 175.97. Supplied by the late, great, rumba. He simply downloaded various drivers off HP's website for DV5, DV7,CQ50 ect. which were for 9200M GS/9600M GT, opened up the driver using winrar or some other cab file veiwer, read the inf to see if it had what is stated above.

For instance, here's the 175.53 driver that'll work with your system:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&os=2093&product=3805988

Don't worry that it says for 9200MGS/9600M GT. The inf contains the 8800M GTS.

Here's the 175.97 from the CQ50 which has 8800M GTS in the inf:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&os=2093&product=3743954

 

First, 2.0, thanks for the insight on the HDX custom monitor information - learn something new every day.

Flash,
This past several months have seen a global, exponential rise in 64bit systems being purchased. This is due to several factors, but the 2 biggest are RAM prices being lower, and the 2 64bit Editions of Vista. Those 2 combined make purchasers willing to go with 64bit OS's to take advantage of the extra RAM capability - that's why I got mine with 64bit OS.

More 64bit system offerings are expected to be shown at regular outlets like Best Buy, etc. where they're in view of the masses; until now, 64bit has primarily been the domain of people like myself and 2.0, engineers, designers, developers, etc. But the extended RAM capability opens up new possibilities for users, specifically in the multimedia area. With even faster processors coming out (the x9300 is 55% faster than my x9000) and the ability to take advantage of even more RAM, multimedia options begin to expand big time. The HDX isn't listed as a gaming machine, but if you look at Intel's propaganda for the X9000, it sure sounds like that's who they're marketing to. Processing and memory capability are 2 things that give gamers an edge. And by gamers, I don't mean kids playing a Wii.

For regular multimedia (BD movies,etc.) the same applies - faster processors, more memory capability, expanded program options, expanded uses, etc. Given the possibilities, would you rather have a notebook you can take with you that already has a monitor on it that gives you a real HD experience, or drag a 50" monitor along and plug into it as an external?

Just think about camping trips in the RV - you could bring the Disney Blu-Ray movie experience to the animals in full HD WideScreen. Nature and a new generation of liberals could be traumatized by watching Bambi in 1080p on a notebook. It doesn't get any better than that.

The HDTV craze has shown that people are willing to spend big bucks for a theatre experience at home. Why not in a laptop? As 2.0 and I were discussing, the HDX marketing wasn't that great as far as it being what it really is, and the fact that you could only really see it online didn't help either. When people start realizing they can get expanded capability in a notebook with a 64bit system, people in business and on the move are not going to want to look at movies and do online gaming with dinky monitor. And expanded options for business presentations on a larger monitor are another area altogether.

Until now, it's just been too expensive and not justifiable for most people, unless you're like those of us here who do own one. We all have our own reasons for getting an HDX, and they're pretty much the same. Laying 4-5K for a top-end notebook is a very small niche community, and not for the masses. But price is driven by demand, and when people start seeing what they can achieve and get with a RAM loaded, super processor driven notebook for a decent price, that demand will start going up, and prices will come down.

Of course it's all just speculation on my part. I've been wrong before - in 1998, I told my clients that within 5 years the Internet would be the next global way of doing business, and that if they wanted to stay in business they'd better get on the 'net. I also told them if they were really smart they'd invest in key segments of the E-Commerce industry, like Shipping and Security Services.

As I said, I was wrong - it only took 3 years.

 

2.0 - Any suggestion on what to do to improve the current plateform? I have the T9500 @ 2.6, stock 4GB RAM, (2) 200GB @ 7200RPM, 8800GTS. I believe I read somewhere that the HDX is not overclock friendly. Do you think additional RAM would help? I've been watching my RAM usage and it doesn't appear to peak above 3GB. For the size of the HDX, I was hoping HP would be able to offer SLI graphics cards configuration.

 

I recommend trying 177.92 if you are up from trying the L2G drivers. They gave me a 2-3% boost in everything compared to 177.42 and the stock drivers. Stay away from 177.98 though.

 

need help. i recently purchased a zoom technologies USB 56K modem. the installation went well.

When i opened the phone and modem options in the control panel, i get this message: "phone and modem control can not be opened. You may have a problem starting telephony service." i then went to the networking and sharing center in the control panel and tried to set up a new dial up connection but the modem is not detected.

i then went to the device manager in the control panel to check the hardware and found the USB modem and it was working properly. the diagnostics also showed that it was working properly.

what gives? anyone else have the same problem here?

 

Control panel/ admins tools/ services or in the start menu search box type "services.msc"

Scroll down to telephony and start the service. Also set it to either manual or automatic.

 

Going to give that one a try. Thanks!

 

No you're good. You can move up to the X9000 at some point in the future but you're not going to see much of a boost considering that you have the 2.6ghz CPU.

Yeah, the HDX uses a fixed PLL clock chip. So a program like setFSB won't work on it. The other thing is, the BIOS doesn't allow for overclocking.

More RAM is crtainly nice. Thanks to Lancorp's bravery, we know for certain that the HDX can use 8GB ram which is the max the PM965 can address.

The thing about HP is they don't cater to gamers. The HDX wasn't marketed as a gaming machine. When it first came out, I was awed. That is until I saw the ATI 2600. Then HP comes out with the 8800M GTS. First thought was why not just go for the top and stick a GTX in, HP? Well, that's just not HP's bag. I mean, look at the other Pavillions the last 3 years. Loaded with Nvidia's GS. They finally for the first time in years opted for GT level with their current line.

Anyway, you'll never see HP do SLI. Perhaps their Voodoo line will since it caters to gamers and enthusiasts.

 

Definitely on to something here. Good thoughts. Things I didn't consider.

 

thanks a lot 2.0

now i got it working, woooohoooo :yes:

 

Mod's user names are green and under their user name is written "NBR moderator."

 

In case anyone is interested in a backpack-style bag for your HDX, Alienware Outlet on ebay has a few of the mALX backpacks that I think BlackKnight said fit great.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...7.l1313&satitle=200252305020&category0=&fvi=1

I have one coming...

 

Cut to the chase, friend-o. I'm not a mod, admin, ombudsman, sheriff, or otherwise. What gave you that idea?

 

2.0

Hope you're having a good Sunday.

If my HDX doesn't come with the QAM tuner, are there other vendors for Mini PCI-e tv tuners?

Is there an alternative. Can my cable provider give me an external card that will work with the HDX?

By the way, I keep checking out the videos and images of the Dragon. In some the screen looks gargantuan...in others, just large. I guess everybody's using a diiferent focal length.

Cheers