*HP HDX DRAGON Owners Lounge, Part 1*

There are other issues my friend, and the more I think about it the more I'm beginning to believe it isn't possible at full HD, or even 1080i, because of the PS3's display settings.

Another unit that can be used is a Linksys Media Adapter, which, unlike the sling, has an HDMI connection as well as Component. In fact, there are a lot of adapters that'll convert Component to HDMI and vice-versa, and just about anything you can think of - you just need to look in the right industry (Satellite and Broadcast).

I figured out a way to transfer a full 1080p signal without needing an HDMI input using an HDMI over CAT-6/5E transmitter. The question that needs further analysis is how to use that CAT signal to get it into the HDX. The transmitter isn't that expensive either -135 quid. You can see one at: http://tinyurl.com/3hmjlv

However - it dawned on me that the PS3 needs to sense a physical display presence to verify its setup, which is HDMI, Component, S-Video, or AV-MULTI/SCART. It needs to physically sense the display for confirmation of the setup, or you'll get no display at all.

There are only 2 outputs from the PS3 - the HDMI and the proprietary connector, for which you can get Composite or Component Video, is the other one. The Component setup is the only one that will carry HD signals, and at 1080i, not 1080p. The problem is at the HDX itself - It won't take any input to the display except via the tuner card's cable connection, or as you mentioned, via Slingbox Net connection or its cable coax output, but they're not full HD signals.

The coax input to the tuner card seems the better option for the PS3 to sense a physical display, even though it's not HD. Your thoughts on this, 2.0?

I'm off to the Ravens Game to watch 'em kick Cleveland's collective a$$e$.

 

Oops...I had a solution, but I was in my Dell frame of mind...sorry for the erroneous post.

 

Just out of curiosity, what is the purpose of connecing a PS3 to the HDX? Just to use it as a display?

If so, it seems if you need all this exteraneous hardware like slingboxes and converters, etc., isn't it easier and as cost-effective to just get another cheap 20" LCD as a display for the PS3?

I'm probably missing something....

 

Can you put somewhere HP quick Launch Buttons 6.40 B2? My version is 6.20 F2

 

Sure thing.

I uploaded it to megaupload. It's about 20MB. Here's the URL:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ZXUFZFRZ

 

Yep, pragmatically speaking, it's far simpler to get a LCD TV or 2nd monitor to plug the PS3 into. Though perhaps it's not practical if one doesn't have the additional desk space to host another TV or monitor.

If one was content with s-video quality, problem solved. HDX has that as an input. But it's not the best possible quality.

 

Thanks for all your help. One last question--would it be possible to somehow use the windows bootloader for both Vista and OSx? Essentially what I'd like to do is turn on the computer (without a usb key), and have it prompt me for x number of seconds what OS I want to boot into. It dosn't have to be the windows bootloader, really any that'll get the job done.

Thanks again!

 

I can't get that game up here. Must be on the NFL network which I ain't gots. CBS has Eagles and Steelers up here. But the Giant's game was good. Tough fight against the Bengals. Went into OT - Giants won - field goal.

Anyway...

Coax or S-video would work, yes. Slingbox would work up to 1080i. 720P would be more than adequate though. Full HD wouldn't be necessary and its advantage would probably be lost on a 20" screen. Plus it would be upconverted from a lower reso.

As for converting HDMI to ethernet, that'd be great except I have seen any third party software out there to decode the signal via ethernet. Technically, this is what the Slingbox does. Converts various A/V inputs to something that conforms to TCP IP so they can stream it via ethernet. Then on the PC, it decodes the compressed information that comes in via TCP IP over ethernet into video and audio. More or less. I'm not using the exact terminology. Having a lazy moment. But I trust you get the idea.

The only thing that worries me is the conversion delay. It'll manifest as game controller lag. I have no idea how fast or slow Slingbox's conversion takes place. Anything >250 millisecs will most probably be noticable in a game.


But I think we've exhausted all the possibilities. I think the idea of getting HD into current laptops simply and cheaply is a little ahead of its time.

 

Yep. You'll need easyBCD. Download it here: http://neosmart.net/downloads/software/EasyBCD/EasyBCD 1.7.2.exe

Real simple graphical interface.

Instructions here:

http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/EBCD/EasyBCD+Documentation+Home


The problem with this approach is that you have to modify the bootloader on HDD1 since that's what the HDX's BIOS looks to for a bootloader. Took me a while to realize this through trial and error. Anything goes wrong with HDD1, and you're dead in the water. You'd have to reinstall the OS or run Vista repair, then rebuild the bootloader to recognize the OS on HDD2. With the USB approach, since an isolated bootloader is on each HDD, if one goes down or corrupts, the other is available immediately upon reboot.

Another reason why I prefer the USB approach is that if I don't use the other OS on the 2nd HDD everyday, I don't have to waste the extra 10 or so secs with a boot menu. If I want to use the 2nd HDD, I just plug in the USB Flash drive and reboot. Boom. Done.

But either way gets the job done. Hope this helps.

 

Hi!
I'm new here. This is really good forum, sorry about my bad English. Please let me know if you know anybody (Worldwide) who has change to get for me brand new fully loaded 20" HP HDX with WUXGA screen and bluray? I will bay one for sure, you are my only hope. I really need it quick for my work.

Does anybody knows is there any internal bluray writers compatible with HDX?

Thank you, Ullar

 

With regard to PS3, getting a high def monitor is not necessarily cheaper than the Slingbox HD, and it takes up more room on the desktop. I made the decision to replace all that with the Dragon, and would like to utilize the WUXGA screen I have.

A Slingbox has other utility as well as the PS3, and is more luggable than another monitor.

IMO

Thanks

 

Yes, I have all of them installed and is not working. Did you ever tried installing the sp37799 (HP QuickTouch Software) from HP site? This is the perfect example of a BAD customer support: the MS VISUAL C++ in the package is so old that it won't run under vista. I'm digging in the registry about the eject button, so far it seems that there is no registered Eject action on my HDX( the last value on the quick launch refers to a touchpad action). my hdx is a month old maybe is about Bios,or the Blu-Ray drive....

BTW : take a look at what HP recommended:
"I request you to try to install the quick touch software in safe mode and if that does not isolate the issue then try to peform the full system reset."


Vista X64 will not install anything in SAFE mode

Anyway I have 3 HDDs:
1. ULTIMATE 64 SP1 Eject not working
2. Home premium 64 SP1 eject not working
3. Ultimate X86 SP1 eject not working
I think that MS writes a generic driver for the QLB when it installs and then this driver remains and cannot be overwritten. Too bad that this model has been discontinued and HP will not support it properly... HDX is one of the finest that I've seen from HP...
I'll keep on trying...

 

Ditto, I'm looking for the same thing toomy. If I could find a 2.8 GHZ top specs HDX online somewhere does anyone know if its ok to buy it from overseas/"worldwide"? Like what would be considered a safe/legitimate/secure way to buy something overseas?

 

To whomever is considering buying an HDX, Newegg now has them in stock again. Not maxed, but at least with the 8800. 1599 plus s/h.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834147750

 

Concerning dead/stuck pixels:

I rec'd my HDX from newegg last week with one dead pixel, or so I thought. Remembered reading a post about 'massaging' the screen to reactivate it. I just lightly rubbed the area around the bad pixel with my thumb for a few seconds, with just a slight amount of pressure, and it worked!

Hopefully this works for others. Not that the one pixel really bugged me, but sure was a pleasant surprise that something so simple fixed it.

 

I think Cnets confusing the HDX18 with the HDX16 no?

http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/hp-hdx18/4505-3121_7-33248766.html?tag=TOCcarouselArea.2

 

Woohoo! My Dragon is on its way!

 

I've checked with a friend of mine who has the same problem, he never got it solved. Also he pointed out, and I NOTICED THAT TOO, that after uninstalling all drivers for QLB and quickPLAY, the volume keys, WiFi, Mute, Theater mode are working as usual( only without on-screen display) so Vista does not remove them at all. The only way to get rid of the drivers is another Vista install. My misfortune is that I only have the original SWSetup folder, the super protected Recovery partition was overwritten when I used Vista's PC Migration Tool, LOL. I downloaded today the new QLB software from HP ( support for the NEW 18'' HDX) and no improvement. I did all the steps you suggested (with the new versions) but after that the TV button does not work also.

A question for everybody: should there be a small rocket icon( by the clock) when all QLB software is installed properly? I never had that on my HDX but I do have it on my other HP NX9420?

 

Very strange. I've done two clean installs on both drives and it works.

Here's something I don't know if you tried or not...

Take the battery out. Unplug the HDX. Hold the power button down for 30 secs. Then put it all back and boot up. Used to be the old fix.

 

Via credit card or paypal. But you're most probably going to pay a premium given the exchange rate and relatively weak US dollar. Plus there's warranty concerns.

Where did you see the specs you want overseas?

Also consider that at this late stage, you might want to consider comprimising on your specs. You can buy an x9000 and install it yourself. It's not all that difficult. As for the WUXGA how very important is it to you and why?

I'd hate to see you pay more than you need to for an obsolete and discontinued unit or not get this unit because none are left.

 

Actually what I meant about going to see the Ravens game is actually going to the stadium to see the game - been a PSL owner/Season Ticket holder since they moved here. Front row end zone, just off center from the goalpost. Let me know if you ever come down this way since if you want to go to a game. I've attached pics of our seat views - the linked red arrows in the stadium view point to our seats - the one to the left is one I'm considering buying so I've got 4. It's always easier to sell a pair than it is just one. The other pic is the seating diagram, with the arrow pointing to our section. Unfortunately, neither the Jets or Giants are here this year - we're in NY in November for the Giants though. Would've like to seen Brett Favre here.

Anyway..

Yeah, I knew that about the ethernet HD also - Slingbox couldn't do it because its RJ-45 is for output, not input. Still, online gaming HD data is fed over Ethernet and is presented by the browser - if you set the PS3 to a static IP address so it looks like any other domain, is there a possibility a browser could render the data just as it would if it were coming from any other IP address, or is it in the way the server formats and sends the data to the gaming PC? Or do we just not know enough to make a qualified guess?

Also, as I was pointing out the PS3 needs to physically sense a display connected to any of the display connection setups or it won't display at all. There are many out there who have used their PS3 on a regular TV, then hooked it up to an HDTV, turned it on and wondered why they suddenly can't get a picture because they didn't change the display output to HDMI before they connected the HDTV.

S-Video In - that's easy, as the PS3 proprietary connection comes with Component, S-Video, or Composite Video, so that's the best option besides the coax input on the tuner - however, the coax cable is the only option available that will carry both Audio and Video - the S-Video in will get you Video, but since there's no audio in on the HDX, you're still screwed.

I don't necessarily think that considering HD notebook inputs is ahead of it's time, I just really think it's not going to happen for copy protection reasons.

With the multiple display Content Protection protocol prohibiting BD playback in a multiple HDMI connected display configuration, I have to wonder what other Protections might be in place we haven't encountered yet. Still, eventually BD writers will be commonplace at some point in the future, and with HD video cameras being purchased by more and more people, and with HD editing becoming more of an option for users with systems that have greater RAM capacity, someone will want to make it easier for the regular Joe who wants to pass HD data both ways for personal use as an excuse to do so.

I think that the BD format probably has enough inherent copy protections in it for now, unless relying on hardware configuration is a factor in limiting HD data flow as part of the Content Protection strategy. But with every other data protection scheme in the past, someone always gets greedy enough to come up with hardware or software to bypass those protections, and I can't see BD or HD data protection becoming any sudden roadblock in the way of capitalism.

 

Out of curiousity, has anyone on the forum worked out a protocol of what to do (including what to update or not) in setting up a new Dragon?

 

I have a clean install of Vista Ultimate 64. I have all buttons working except the TV button. I used the drivers from my SWSetup folder. The only drivers I have updated are the Quick launch drivers from page 100 of this thread and the newest Official HP NVIDIA drivers.

When I first installed the drivers from the SWSetup folder almost none of my QL keys worked. After I used the divers on the page 100 all worked except TV. It did not bother me enough to check into further because I can use the Quick Player hot key and choose TV from there.

 

I think the only things were to update the video driver with one of those posted and quickplay to 3.7.

Everything else is mostly a matter of personal choice.

 

2.0

Do you have a preference for a particular video driver?

Is there an automatic update that I should look for (permit or stop)? Should I let Vista update itself?

Have you ever read about the potential eye hazards of leds,
particularly blue leds?

Still thinking about the PS3

Thanks

 

I'm willing to go as low as 2.5GHz I think, but I don't know if I trust myself to change the processor later. If it wasn't that big a deal then I could compromise more I think on the processor.

In regards to the screen though I do not want to compromise at all on the WUXGA because like I was saying before, I'd do 3D animation, gaming, video editing on it, and use it for my BlueRay viewing and TV/Cable/Slingbox even so because it's very much about convergence for me I don't want a nice screen, I want an experience when I'm watching anything on it..it will be the only HDTV I have for now so I want it to be awesome.

I was actually thinking Paypal myself BUT from what I can remember they the buyer/seller policy only applies to Canada, Brittan, and the US.. Do you think USPS Money Order sent via Priority with tracking, insurance, and signature would be any good?

 

Congratulations allen Which did you get?

 

after waiting practically a month......mine is too.......i cant wait till i recieve it =]

 

Thanks! Mine is configured as follows:

T8300 - will be replaced with x9000 or faster(?) sometime next yr
2GB RAM - (got 4GB replacement waiting on my desk)
2x120 - will be replaced with SSD and 500gb next year
WUXGA - this was my primary reason for not ordering the HDX9494nr
Blu-ray - free upgrade
Vista Ultimate 64

I'm hoping it arrives this week so I can play with it over the weekend. After the obligatory adulation, here's what I plan on doing...

- create recovery CD's
- repartition HD's as needed
- reinstall OS according to Black Knight's instructions
- image primary HD for "raw" OS
- install updated drivers
- install all necessary apps
- create secondary image
- PLAY!

You pro's out there have any other suggestions?

 

Ok. That's understandable. As for the M.O., that's the best way to go about it.

Check your PM.

 

Funny - I was just thinking yesterday that we should come up with a "What to do with a new HDX" list that we could PM a new user with or just copy/paste in to a post and refer to it. I could even create a new PDF with the info and different pics from the manual or customized pics from other sources we could modify. Possible layout:

1. How to access Register your system and access the HP Support page for it
2. Driver and Vista updating - how to and what / what not to update
3. Specific known problems/issues
4. Blu-Ray Problems
5. How to configure GPU
6. How to setup multiple displays
8. 64-bit Systems
9. Useful links
10. FAQ's

Of course the order can be changed. For the FAQ's we'd need to scan the posts and copy / paste questions/answers not covered in the specific topic points.

I'm willing to coordinate it if everyone else will data-mine the thread for the info. It's not like I don't have the programs to do it with. BTW MA, CS4 comes out this week - Adobe's doing a webcast on Wednesday showing the features of the different program updates.

Anyone interested in doing this so we don't have to keep repeating ourselves?

 

Right now, 175.97.

Don't let it update any drivers. Set automatic updates to "notify me of updates but let me choose when and what to download and install."

Yes. But on the HDx they're filtered by translucent resin that diffuses the bright center of the LED. But I'd cover the three in the front when the room is totally dark.

I think the slingbox is the best bet. Still can't find what the streaming lag would be if any, though.

 

The actual lag time between a PS3 and an HDTV can be determined by using the lag calibration feature in Guitar Hero. It measures the lag differential between the user's input and the screen response. I recommend doing the calibration at least 3 times to get a good average, as response time isn't going to be 100% accurate each time.

However, for those looking for a monitor that gets rid of that problem, Sharp makes a 1080p unit that has an installed "Gaming Circuit" that automatically negates any lag time between the console unit and the monitor. It's got other features specific for gaming as well, most noticeably the many inputs/outputs it has for A/V, and specific A/V setups.
I've got the 32" model (at the time I got it, it was the only 32" 1080p display made) and it comes in a 37" as well. I'd bet they've probably started making larger ones with the gaming feature in it but I haven't checked to be sure.

I do know that it works - online gameplay difference was instantly noticeable, and GH calibration shows no lag time to calibrate. I got mine for about $1100 as a display unit, but I know the price has come down since winter.

 

Uh - did anyone else notice that our number of posts have been stuck at the same number until just now?

 

To all those that have been helping me with my graphics performance with warhammer online I just thought I would let you know that it looks like a game problem.

http://www.warhammeralliance.com/forums/showthread.php?t=99123

This thread is full of people with high end machines having the similar and same performance issues.

 

Guys, if money is not an issue, there is one with the full specs on ebay for 4K.

http://cgi.ebay.com/HP-HDX-Notebook...39:1|66:2|65:12|240:1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

 

@Mobileartist

If you look at the review of the HDX18 on this website, you can see that it's not MXM. GPU is soldered to the board. What a step down from the dragon. Truly one of a kind.

 

2.0

Regarding LEDs, I didn't even think about the control panel lights on the HDX, but rather the use of LED's for LCD backlighting...which may be bad for the eyes. A number of people have been geting eyestrain from some LED backlit Macbooks. Just a possible argument for CCFLs.

Did you read a past post suggesting the Slingbox method might not work? Someone must have tried it. Maybe I should call Slingbox.

Thanks

 

It's a great idea. Lot of work though. Maybe we can expand on Black Knight's page 100 post. It covers a great deal already.

 

Nah, which post was that then about the slingbox?

 

I read a review of the HDX 18. Not so impressive graphically.

 

Sweet. Thats exactly why where I won't compromise; ie on the WUXGA..and graphics card. May I ask where you got it from?

 

Agreed. 50% less powerful than the Dragon. It's like wow. Glad I own this obsolete work of art.

 

I recently received my new loaded HP HDX (2.6) almost 2 weeks ago and have been playing around with it but not sure if I want to return it or hang on to it. Since the HDX 9000 is discontinued, will this adversely affect the support on this unit? Also, anyone know if flash memory SDHC can be read on the HDX? Thanks

 

What memory are you planning to use? 667 or 800?

 

I will be preparing the post about vista clean install + all drivers and software in their newest and/or best versions

 

From the HP site. I was lucky enough to place the order a couple of days before the HDX20's were pulled off the site.

 

DDR667. If I remember correctly, the DDR800's are downclocked.

 

Would more RAM, as in some of the 64Bit 8GB setups, affect graphics and gaming? Would a much larger HD (I ordered 2x160 7200RPM) affect gaming?

Thanks

 

That's about what I paid for mine, and it's apparently the same max configuration I've got. The only error is the optical drive - there is no combo BD/HD-DVD drive available for the HDX from HP, and supposedly it's new in the box. It's a BD-ROM, DVD +-RW unit, either a Sony-Optiarc or Mat's BD-ROM.

Also, even though it indicates Vista Ultimate, it doesn't indicate if it's 64bit or not, and that could affect the price.

The other big item conveniently left off the description is whether or not the display is a 1080p or not. BD without it is kinda useless. If anyone is interested, make sure you check with them first. If they screwed up the optical drive description (hopefully it's just an error and not fraud) there's no telling what else is wrong.