*HP dv8 Owners Lounge*

The TV tuner is definitely worth it if you plan on using your pc to record shows to watch later. It is internal and even comes with an external antenna that gets surprisingly good reception.

Windows Media Center is awesome at recording shows to watch later... and in true high-def.

 

Yah there is no better DVR than a Windows Media Center IMO. Especially if you couple it with dvrmstoolbox to auto skip commercials.

 

didn't think you could do that. after a bit of research online, that sounds complicated to configure. I'll give it a try though when I get a chance. does it work well for you siryak?

 

There is any easier way of doing it. It just requires a little input from you. First install these 2 things ---> http://babgvant.com/blogs/andyvt/archive/2009/10/22/dvrmstoolbox-1-2-1-9-public-release.aspx http://babgvant.com/blogs/andyvt/ar...rcial-skipping-on-windows-7-media-center.aspx -- then what you can do is just right click on your .wtv files and you will see an option to convert to dvrms. After you do this dvrmstoolbox will work just like it did in Windows Vista. There are ways to automate this, but as you found it can be complicated and I find it easier to just right click on it and click convert. Please note you are going to want to wait until the show is done recording or it doesn't work right for some reason.

Also there are guides to using it what ShowAnalyzer which can read .wtv files, but you haft to pay for this commercial scanner. Comskip is free and usually just a little bit more accurate.(But it only works with dvrms)

 

Do you know where the Windows media center recorded shows folder is? I found it once, but don't remember where.

 

C:\Users\Public\Recorded TV or if you will look on the right hand side in Computer you will see a link to Recorded TV.

 

Awesome thanks!!

 

cool... thanks for the pointers. i can't wait to get my dv8 to try messing around with this. i'm going to be installing an antenna in the attic so i don't have to mess around with the antenna that comes with the laptop. that way i can just leave it plugged into the wall outlet at my desk.

 

Just ordered a dv8t from HP utilizing a perrty good coupon. I look forward to receiving it, playing with it, dressing it up like a baby and putting her into my daddy bjorn carrier when I go on walks.

I own a HDX Dragon and a Macbook Pro. This dv8t will be a nice addition to my gadget family.

Hopefully I can contribute to this thread in between/after daddy duties.


Aloha

 

I have the bluray player, but I did not order the bluray burner (BB). I thought very hard about purchasing the BB, but I prefer to have the BB as a USB plug-in option. You can get a better BB than HP is offering and there are some very good deals of BB's now. I have the convenience of the internal bluray player, but do not have to worry about losing the Bluray Burner. That is another internal component not to go bad if it is an external plug-in.

I did buy the TV tuner because it was very cheap. However, I do not really see using it very much. I would not buy it if I were to order it again. That is another plug-in option that is seldom used, unless one is plugged into the TV for daily use.

Larry (Ocean)

 

I have had my dv8t now for about ten days. When I first opened it I put on my seat belt rather snuggly and prepared for a warp speed experience. However, I have not noticed the blazing speed that I was expecting from the way the sales people were speaking. I am pleased with the performance, but I am not overly impressed with the i7 processor. I really think I would have purchased the HDX 18T with the 2.93 core Duo Processor to have maximum speed.
Does anyone have any comments on the performance? I am pleased, but not as much as I expected.

Larry (Ocean)

 

Hi Ocean,

I ordered the BB and this time I didn't get the TV tuner (I have it on my HDx Dragon). I never used it much because the area that I would use it would be in a fire station dorm surrounded by metal lockers and the TV reception would absolutely suck.

As for the BB, I did do research and couldn't find an affordable external one with good reviews. I also thought about housing a internal BB into an external kit, too.

Asuhoru

 

What delivery date did HP estimate? I'm ready to order one also, but am concerned whether it would arrive before we leave on vacation.

 

when you build a machine, after you add it to your cart, but before you checkout, it will give you the build date estimate. tack on about 5-7 days from the 'build date' to get you delivery date.

 

This came from an email:

Your customized dv8t quad edition is estimated to be built by November 17, 2009. Your chosen delivery method is Standard 5-7 Business Days and we will send you tracking information once your order ships.

 

Asuhoru,

You will have a nice computer. Do they not still have the free two day shipping? We had the choice of two day free shipping or pay $30 or more for the 5-7 day shipping. Strange, but true.

Larry (Ocean)

 

U realize that the i7 is extremely fast. Where are you experiencing this "slow".
Did u msconfig?

 

Might be different for me since I live in Hawaii. I just opted for the free shipping. Didn't see a Free 2 day ship.

 

As of this moment, for a dv8t, HP is offering free 5-7 day shipping but wants $50 for 2-day shipping. That may be because the current coupon is a little better than last weeks.

Does anyone know whether HP has been meeting their scheduled ship dates? I'm particularly concerned whether they might ship sooner than the build date.

 

This will be the 3rd laptop that I've purchased online via HP. They both came in on time. Never had any delays otherwise I would have remembered it.

Never came early either

 

Can anyone tell me the dimensions of the power brick? I'm trying to determine whether I can cram the dv8t and accessories into my very old Targus case or whether I have to buy a new one.

 

Mine is supposed to ship tomorrow and it is still showing 'In Production' when I check the order status. I'll let you know tomorrow if it has shipped.

 

Like others I'm on the fence between the DV8T and The Dell 1645 (RGB). How's the temperature of the laptop? How glossy is the screen? Is it identical to the former HDX18? How’s the Black Level? Has anyone been able to compare with the 1640/1645 RGB Backlit?
Thanks in advance.

 

I am curious to see any responses to this. I've had a 1645 on order since the beginning of October and Dell apparently had an issue with the original Wi-Fi card that was used for the system. They have been canceling and placing new orders with a new card, pushing deliveries back further. I have a call into them and they have promised that my order will be corrected, but I am not confident that it will be handled quickly. The newer orders seem to be processing ok. I am seriously considering canceling my order and going with the DV8 especially considering the $500 coupon that is out there.

 

I was on the fence too between a Dell XPS 16 and the DV8. But after reading the forums IN dell's forum section there were too many complaints on recent orders getting delayed and delayed, new orders being created (not by the custormer either) by Dell and pushing stuff back even further I opted for the DV8.

Good luck. And yeah that recent coupon is good stuff.

 

I have access to my departments temperature gun and once my laptop arrives I'll post pics with temps in various spots with and without load for you dv8 and potential dv8 owners.

 

still loving mine...

 

awesome... glad to see that you'll be a future dv8 owner & active in the forums!

 

Did anyone buy with the "bill me later" credit or know how it works? Also can anyone confirm if the screen is LED or LCD backlit?

 

I have run Bluray dvd's for 8 hours at a time and check the heat level and it is always only (normal) warm and never hot.

Larry (Ocean)

 

dwjp

Thank you for commenting on my statement. I did not say it is slow, but rather that it is not as fast as I imagined it to be. Changing from one screen to another is fast. Going from one page to another through the back button is not as fast.

I agree with you that it is a fast processor, and I am happy with my computer. I do not see it being as fast as the sales people said it would be.

I have not worked multiple applications yet. I understand there is where I will see the speed. I do a lot of research and keep several windows open at the same time and work back and forth. I do statistical calulations using SPSS software. I also wanted to watch bluray moviess on HD screen. That is why I bought this computer. I am very happy with it.

I appreciate your help with any comments you have concerning the speed. If nothing else it makes me feel beter knowing my computer is ok.

Thanks again,

Larry (Ocean)

 

You talking about your browser, Ocean? Going back and forth etc? Or Windows explorer back arrow on stuff.

 

Anyone cares about 2nd HDD not apearing in the BOOT menu? Or am I the only one having this problem?

 

I think I have seen popup menus where only the "first" hard drive appears on the menu. In those cases, there was a BIOS setting to change which drive was "first." That's a little more complicated than having the drives appear individually in the menu. You might check your BIOS to see if there area any useful options there.

 

Mike,

I orginally ordered a studio 17 with the i7 processor from Dell when I was having problems getting the order in for my HDX 18T. However, I really wanted the HDX 18T very badly. I decided to cancel my Dell order after speaking with some of the individuals at Dell. The difficulty with communications scared me.

So I was not a hard case to convince to follow my orignal desire which was the HDX 18T. The next day was the day the dv8t was available and made the decision even easier. I was stunned to see that I could buy all the features of the Dell for less money and get the 1900-1080p HD screen.

I placed my order right away. I am happy with HP dv8t. I would recommend the dv8t over the Dell.

Larry (Ocean)

 

Yes the Browser. I realize it may be the internet

Larry (Ocean)

 

Larry!

Try Chrome and Firefox. Also for the firefox, google "firefox tweaks". Theres a page with 5 simple tweaks to significantly make your firefox browser fly even 'faster'.


I was always a IE guy but man. Firefox and Chrome really blow me away speedwise. Its how it should be, brutha.


Look into OpenDNS, too. Plug a couple of DNS entries in your laptop OR router's settings. Done. Good stuff.

 

This case is different. There is no way to make 2nd HDD apear in BOOT menu. There is no such option in BIOS. The very purpose of 2 HDD's is gone for me.

 

Thank you for such good advice and information. It really helps to have others provde information and better ways to get the most out of software and computer technology.

This is a very good site.

Larry (Ocean)

 

Just pulled the trigger. I called hp to get some extra info on the screen and memory type and i ended up buying. Btw the screen is led according to the rep and they dont know what speed the memory is on the ddr3(a little scary). Overall I feel like i got a pretty nice deal.

Here are my specs:


11/10/2009, 06:46:22 PST

Order summary
HP Pavilion dv8t Quad Edition customizable Notebook PC

* • Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
* • Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-720QM Processor (1.6GHz, 6MB L2 Cache, 1333MHz FSB)
* • FREE Upgrade to 4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 3GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* • FREE Upgrade to 320GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
* • 1GB Nvidia GeForce GT 230M
* • 18.4" diagonal High Definition HP Ultra BrightView Infinity Display (1920x1080p)
* • Lightscribe Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
* • Webcam + Fingerprint Reader with HP Imprint Finish (Espresso Black)
* • Intel Wireless-N Mini-card with Bluetooth
* • HP Integrated HDTV Hybrid Tuner
* • HP Color Matching Keyboard
* • 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* • Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
* • HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

Estimated build date: November 18, 2009
No tracking number available VB597AV 1 $1,599.99 $1,099.99
Summary of discounts for order H109360040
Instant discounts you received:
$500.00 Coupon
Order subtotal $1,099.99

 

Or Opera.

Some browsers reload the page when you use the back button; some reload the cache, which is local and therefore practically instant. It depends on the browser you use, so some will seem much "faster" than others.

Also, the screen for the DV8t is definitely not glass. It's just ordinary plastic.

 

For the love of GOD can someone please comment whether or not it is an LCD or LED screen?

 

For those who want an DV8 now is the time to get it. HP is offering $500 off on all customized HP Pavilions over $1399.

NBS44587 is the code

 

That is great information. I was not aware of that. That makes sense with the suggestions that Asuhoru made. thank you very much. I feel better now.

Larry (Ocean)

 

A rep told me it was LED. Then again see didnt know the speed of the ddr3 she just told me it was really really fast.

 

YES!


according to to service manual....LCD

 

Anybody try putting in a backlit keyboard from an HDX18 in yet?


BTW my intel X25M SSD died after 5 days. Ouch. 3 year warranty though. It's already on the way back to intel.

JUST SO YOU ALL KNOW... Once an SSD crashes... it's a paper weight... no data recovery possible according to intel...so backup early, backup often. Keep your irreplacables on a "real" hd.

 

So before the X25 died, how did you have it set up and how was the performance?

 

It was my boot drive. I took the 320gb drive and transfered the "system" partition and the main partition over to the ssd.

I can only subjectively say that the SSD was noticebly faster than the 320gb drive. I especially noticed how much slower the 320gb was when I put the 320gb back in as the boot drive. Not just a little faster, A LOT faster. Maybe a whole minute on bootup. I didn't measure.

SSD is the way to go. Just be maticulous about backups and not keeping irreplacable stuff on there.

*** Intel had an firmware update for this drive that supposedly made it 40% faster under Win7 . The upgrade was pulled the day after it was launched because of alot of people said it bricked their SSD. But 40% fast would be effing ridiculous. I hope they come back out with it.

 

with the $500 off coupon, I am thinking of jumping in. A few questions:
1) Is it worth the $75 for 7 Pro VS home premium
2) Is there any point in upgrading from 4 to 6 GB RAM? it is a $200 upgrade
3) is the "2-year HP Care Pack Accidental Damage Protection Service" worth the $180?
4) How much faster is the i7-820QM than i7-720QM? I doubt it is worth the $400
5) 1 500GB VS 2 X 320. The dual drives are $60 extra. Is there safety in numbers (backing up from drive 1 to 2)?
6) What would the point of the $25 Bluetooth upgrade?
7) Tuner VS no tuner?

Thanks