dv9700t questions: audio, video & bluetooth

Well, my new dv9700t will leave Shanghai today and I have several questions if any current owners might be able to answer them:

Video: How is the HDMI port working for you? I hope to be able to use this to hook the laptop to my Pioneer PDP-5080 plasma. Thoughts, problems, solutions?

Audio: Digital output - can anyone CONFIRM (or deny) that the second headphone jack is also an optical output? Several threads on this forum have alluded to both answers. I need a digital audio out to hook the laptop up to my sound system (which is lacking HDMI inputs making this excerise...difficult).

Also, anyone with a Quickdock: how does the digital coaxial audio output work for you? Again, thoughts, problems, solutions?

Bluetooth: For those that got the integrated bluetooth option, how easy (hard) is it to get peripherals to work? Specifically, mice, keyboards and most importantly (for me) audio headsets. Do we know what stacks it uses and how "good" the drivers are? Looking at getting the new Jaybird JB-100 for my phone, mp3 player and laptop and would like to know in beforehand just how much I will have to fight to make it work...

Thanks so much in advance!

-=AF=-

 

Oh, and I should add the specs too:

- HP Pavilion dv9700t Entertainment CTO NB
- Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate (64-bit)
- Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.50 GHz, 6 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
- 17.0" WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)
- 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) ***4GB, manual upgrade***
- 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
- FREE Upgrade to HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone!!
- FREE Upgrade to Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and BluetoothTM!!
- 240GB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (120GB x 2)
- LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
- No TV Tuner w/remote control
- High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

 

I don't own a 9700t, but I'll answer the questions I know (or think I do ) since no one has responded.

The HDMI port should work with your plasma just fine (nice plasma, but dang is it expensive). It should be a simple plug in cable thing. Remember to buy the CHEAPEST HDMI cable you can find. The expensive ones are a complete rip-off and offer practically no benefit. The only good thing about the $100+ HDMI cables is that they work better over very long distances (30 feet+).

The 9700t does NOT have an optical out. For one thing, an optical out looks NOTHING like a headphone plug-in. If you want to hook up your laptop to your surround use a cable like this if your speakers have the proper inputs (it probably does as long as they aren't really old): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812196017

No idea about the coaxial output, but it most likely works fine.

Don't know much about bluetooth, but since you have it integrated I don't think it will give you many problems.

 

Thanks for replying Jin07.

Some of the 9x00 models do have optical outputs inside the headphone jack - it is referenced in the documentation for the series, but is specific by model. In order to use it, you need a cable like this.

You are right of course, in that it isn't a standard optical out, which I really wish they would have included. Oh well.

I also wish the 5080 would output optical signals when using an HDMI connection... but it doesn't. <boggle> Probably some important technical requirement for syncing, but still!

Thanks again for responding. Anyone else have any experiences to share?

 

I don't think there is a digital out in the headphone jack but then again I am not positive there is not. As you can see I have a pc similar to the one you are ordering. I have noticed that when using hdmi out that I had have both monitors on, but it could have something to do with the 2 gigs of ram at the time and I have not had time to mess with it since I upgraded to 4 gigs. When I would make the one monitor the primary it would then output 1080p but the video and audio would be choppy like my laptop was trying to process 2 much. This also had something to do with how much more there is to process with blu-ray. Hopefully I'll make time this week and check it out. As for bluetooth I have the laser mouse and it was very easy to set up. I just right clicked the bluetooth icon on the bottom of the screen and added devices and made my mouse visible. Now it auto connects and I have had no issues. I do not have a docking station, but I have considered getting the xb3000. It is on ecost.com for 169. Any other questions that you want me to try to help with? Feel free

 

i think you should have the the digital out.. on my dv9000 series i have 3 holes 1 mic 2 headphones one of the two last says spdif!
all you need is the right adapter that can go in the hole then convert to the regular square one..the adapter his a little piece of plastic..it came with the toslink wires that i bought...,then you go to sound/enable spdif interface and there you go ...some nice digital out sound perfect for movies on surround sound systems

 

Can't speak to the HDMI quality but can confirm that the SPDIF port does not exist on the newer DV9700t models. There will be a small white booklet in the box explaning how to enable digital audio over HDMI.