dv2000 Config Advice Requested

Hello all.

Listed below is what I have spec'ed out for my DV2000 but I had some questions:

1. What speed is the memory/system/processor? I can't seem to find this on HP's site and getting conflicting info from this forum. I'd rather upgrade the RAM separately if HP is going cheap here (lower speed/higher latency).

2. For those that have the HP ExpressCard Analog TV Tuner w/Remote, do you think this was worth it? It sounds interesting but I have to wonder how often I would use my laptop as a TV.

2. Do you think any of these components/upgrades will add significant weight? My main focus is keeping this machine light.

Thanks for your help!
Richard

Genuine Windows XP Media Center
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7200 (2.0 GHz)
Display 14.1" WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x800)
Graphics Card 128MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) Go 7200
Personalization HP IMPRINT Finish + Microphone + Webcam
Memory 2.0GB DDR2 SDRAM (2x1024MB)
Hard Drive 120 GB 5400 RPM SATA Hard Drive
Primary CD/DVD Drive LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVD+/-RW w/Double Layer
Networking Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network w/Bluetooth
No TV Tuner w/remote control
Primary Battery 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

 

The processor runs at 2.0GHz, the FSB is 667MHz and the memory is either 533 or 667 Mhz. You can use either type of memory.

The only thing that really affects the weight of the system which can be configured by the user is battery size.

 

I agree with the above. An HP tech support person indicated to me in an email that the system and memory will run at the maximum speed supported by the CPU you select. In your case that will be 667 mHz.

As far as the analog TV tuner card goes... Windows XP Media Center Edition uses its support of a TV tuner card as one of its biggest sales pitches. I could definitely see it as something that would come in handy when you team it with a DVD burner or large HDD as an alternative to a TiVO or DVR.

 

Yeah, the one in my sig has 667 mhz memory, and all in all it runs very fast.

 

As for the TV tuner, for what HP charges you might as well get a HDTV tuner. I have the previous version of one of these:
http://www.copperbox.com/lite/popinfo.php?lc_code=onair-usb-hdtv-gt
It does over-the-air and unencrypted cable, digital and analog.

 

Ditto that....

Sort of stupid that Hp is packaging machines without a HDTV tuner. (I 'm assuming that the HP is Analog only? SDTV )


Not as big as a issue on the dv2000, dv6000 using a S-video output hooking up to a smaller external display... but a HDTV tuner is really needed on a dv9xxxx series machine if you're hooking it up via the HDMI port to a BIG SCREEN HDTV, Plasma, Projector.
On a HP dv8000t I briefly hooked it up via the S-Video output to a big screen HDTV and was very disappointed...

On a smaller screen it would have been fine I'm sure...


Above tuner says it does the below, so I would think any differance in price would be worth it:
Supports timeshifting and recording of: HDTV, SDTV, analog TV (record only), over-the-air broadcast HDTV, and QAM digital cable (unencrypted). HDTV is recorded at full resolution of the broadcast! Easy to use software and included IR remote control for ultimate PC and TV convergence!



.

 

Thanks for the replies so far. I think I might just go for the tuner as some of you have suggested.

4ceFed4: I understand that the memory will run as fast as it is spec'ed as long as the system supports it. The question I'm really asking is, does HP use 667Mhz RAM in the dv2000 or do they go cheap with 533? If it's the latter I might as well go with a minimum amount and buy the memory elsewhere. What did they put in your system?

Richard

 

667 MHZ that is what i got

 

Thanks for the info, lappy... say, is that a Strong Bad reference?

 

I have the HP Express Card Analog TV Tuner.

It's definitely expensive, but I like it. It controls my DirecTV box without a hitch and the image quality is pretty good. It's great to have a little TV window going when you're typing out an email, browsing forums, or just chatting. I also have NFL Sunday Ticket, so it lets me record any games I might miss or just want to keep.

I have no desire for an HDTV tuner. I live just north of LA and over the air HD here is non-existant. And theres no tuner that I know of for laptops that can accept component inputs. I'm also not downgrading to cable from satellite either. So this tuner works perfectly well for me. Most of the stuff I watch is in SD anyway, and I don't see the need for HD for the vast majority of TV programming. I've watched several HD shows (like 24, ER), but it honestly makes no difference to me because TV is disposable entertainment. The only HD interest I have is movies.

 

One more question:

I see a lot of signatures have "remote" or "remote control" listed. Does this mean you have the TV Tuner + Remote or just the remote? If it just the remote, what can you do with it without the TV Tuner?

 

The remote that comes with the TV tuner is a Media Center remote. So you have full control over Windows Media Center with it. It also works with some other applications, like WinDVD and is a full fledged DVD remote control.

The other little remote (the small one that goes in the ExpressCard slot that HP charges $15 for) controls Quick Play and it can also control some other things in Windows, like DVD playback and it can control Media Center to an extent as well.

 

Get the fastest CPU you can.
discrete GPU.
on board bluetooth.
I splurged for the LightScribe drive too.

You don't HAVE to max out the RAM, but HP has wised up and dropped the price of memory at build time to be closer to market prices. When I configured my dv2000z, an upgrade to 2GB of ram would have cost me $350, so I opted to buy some lifetime name brand stuff from a third party. If you upgrade it to 2GB during the build today, it's only $200. Go figure.

Oh yeah, even if you don't need it, add in the "free after rebate" printer. Sure you'll pay shipping, but free is free.

 

Thank you all for your replies and advice. I placed my order yesterday with the configuration listed below. Basically it's the same from my original post but I cut back the HD to 80GB, the price per GB on the 120GB drive was just too high and I can always upgrade it later on. I added the mobile remote control but wound up not getting the tv tuner. I have a tv tuner in my PC so I really don't need one in my notebook. My build date is Nov 16th so I hope to get it roughly 2 weeks with free shipping.

- FREE Upgrade to Genuine Windows XP Media Center!!
- Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7200 (2.0 GHz)
- 14.1" WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x800)
- 128MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) Go 7200
- HP IMPRINT Finish + Microphone + Webcam
- 2.0GB DDR2 SDRAM (2x1024MB)
- 80 GB 5400 RPM SATA Hard Drive
- LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVD+/-RW w/Double Layer
- Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network w/Bluetooth
- No TV Tuner w/remote control
- 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
- Microsoft(R) Works/Money
- HP Mobile Remote Control

 

Yes it is , and congrats on your purchase. That is the exact same as the computer I got, and I am loving it.