Audio out via Displayport on T420, easy

I have heard that displayport on some systems in the past have not supported audio out via displayport-to-hdmi converters.

I purchased this adapter:
Displayport to HDMI, and connected it with a cheap HDMI cable to my Toshiba 42" LCD TV.

Windows 7 automatically detected it and passed audio to the TV.

 

that is true for the x301, t500, r500, t400s, x200.

 

Does anyone know if the display port on the x220 and x220t will pass audio via an HDMI converter?

 

I don't see why it wouldn't...

 

The X220 should handle audio over the displayport (which means the HDMI should contain an audio stream too when using the correct adapter). The reason that the X200, R500, T500, W500, X301 did not support audio was due to hardware limitation, which was addressed in the subsequent Thinkpad release.

 

I picked up this adapter Newegg.com - BYTECC AP-DPHDMI-005 DisplayPort to HDMI Cable Adapter 0.5ft (6") w/IC up and it did not pass any sound to my Sony XBR 40". The video was also not correctly proportioned for the screen (chopped off outside edges). I went through all the audio settings and found nothing that referenced HDMI. I connected another notebook that had a full HDMI connection and it worked fine (audio, video, correct proportions) so I know the TV was ready for the signal. Any suggestions.

BTW, I love the T420 and appreciate the discussions on this site.

 

Funny, I remember reading this thread a some days ago, but couldn't find it this evening. Turns out I just ordered the same thing a few minutes ago along with a 10 ft. "BlueRigger High speed HDMI cable from amazon.com - the price for both shipped was under $20.

I had looked earlier in the day at Micro Center (brick & mortar), and the adapter alone was $35!

 

Yeah, that adapter is a great deal, another reason why I love Amazon.

 

Here's one that connects directly without an adapter....

For only $8.96 each when QTY 50+ purchased - 15ft 28AWG DisplayPort to HDMI Cable - White | DisplayPort to HDMI Cables

 

It says: "DisplayPort v1.1 * Does not support audio".
Great price though...

 

Based on the reviews, it apparently does support audio. I wonder if that is dependent on the machine transmitting the signal.....

 

I just ordered this very cable for my X220 and I'll let you know whether it works.

 

Well I got the adapter and HDMI cable yesterday. Played with it about an hour on my X220 but ran out of time. No audio yet. I haven't been able to get the second playback device to appear. Maybe this weekend I will get a chance to work on it some more. Might try a different adapter or cable from the local brick and mortar store.

FWIW, I bought the following:
Amazon.com: Premium Black DisplayPort Male to HDMI Female Adapter: Electronics
Amazon.com: BlueRigger High speed HDMI cable (10 ft) - Supports 3D, Ethernet and Audio Return: Electronics

 

A Displayport to HDMI cable is a neater solution than using an adapter, IMO, and puts less strain on the Displayport socket.

There aren't many such cables on the market though and it's a PITA not knowing if it will pass audio or not until you buy it.

 

Update:

Well, I tried the HDMI cable I bought connecting a stand alone DVD writer/player to the same Phillips flat screen TV. Works fine, audio included.

Went back to Micro Center to pick up a different DisplayPort to HDMI adapter to try, but they did not have any in stock. It appears that none of the other major stores in this metropolis have them or even ever carried them...

Maybe I can find one at a specialty store Monday. Otherwise, I'll probably not have a chance to try it before I leave town. I hate ordering from the internet, not knowing whether what I order will work or not. I suspect the DisplayPort to HDMI adapter is the culprit, but it might be that the X220 does not support audio out on the DisplayPort, or there may be an incompatibility between the adapter and the HDMI cable I have.

Question:
Why put such an obscure port on the X220? What does it offer over straight HDMI? When I was in the store the other day, all the other laptops had HDMI ports instead of the DisplayPort ports. Apple uses DisplayPort, but in the mini version, so no help with their adapters.

 

Somehow I doubt it.

 

Hm...I cant get the audio to work on my T500.

I have a displayport to hdmi adapter and hooked it up to the TV and have tried everything.

 

Based on the following thread, I think I just bought the wrong DisplayPort to HDMI adapter (contrary to the OP's experience in this thread). Some others also bought the same adapter that I did and likewise could not get audio to work.

See post by oletechy on top of the 2nd page in the following thread for the adapter to try (by StarTech). Radio Shack sells a newer, different, StarTech adapter that also may work.

T410s - no audio via Displayport to HDMI adapter - Lenovo Community

Unfortunately, I don't know when I will be able to pick up one of these StarTech adapters to try. Marooned atm on the water.

 

Please update when you get it if it works. I just purchased a Thinkpad x220 and would be getting by the end of the month and I'm very interested in getting audio/video to hdmi. Hope it works.

 

The T500 doesn't support audio via DisplayPort, unfortunately.

 

Can I ask you guys where the display port is located?? Is it at the right side on the top?

Nevermind, I found it. I always dealt with the mini display port so I didnt know what the regular display port looked like. Wow its huge.