T400 VGA output

I may want to connect my T400 (coming soon) to a projector to watch movies. What resolution will the VGA output? The projector has a VGA input. So I suppose VGA to VGA is the best way to do it.

 

Your T400 can probably output many different resolutions out of the VGA port depending on your graphics card. You'll probably want to output the native rate of the projector you are connecting it too, though.

 

Any reason not to output VGA since the projector can accept it? I understand the docking stations have DVI, is that better for any reason?

 

VGA would certainly be the easiest. Most good business projectors are XGA (1024x768), conversely home theater projectors tend to be WXGA or 720P (1280x720 or similar). You will want to pick the correct resolution and aspect ratio (4x3, 16x10, 16x9) to match your projector. You would probably get the best picture with a DisplayPort to DVI or HDMI adapter if your projector is so equipped. However, you would need the dock to do this and it probably isn't worth the hassle.

 

I have a newer business proj. It is wxga. Will the VGA out on the T400 output at 720p?

If I play a dvd in the T400 will that be output at 720p?

 

I've gotten WXGA+ outputs on far lesser laptops than this one. The T400 can output 720p just fine, although some users have complained about blue screens when running external screens for a long (days) time. I've run a couple movie marothons on my rig, though, and the video output has been pristine. Unless you plan to use a really long cable (12ft plus), where interference and signal loss starts to become a problem, VGA output should be more than fine.

 

VGA is fine for that resolution. Just try and use a reasonably short and well shielded cable to minimize degradation.

DVD will most likely output at 720p, although that is dependent upon your player and/or graphics card to upscale it. By default though, you only get video playback on one screen. This is due to hardware overlay. If you turn this off you can usually get playback on both displays (if this is important to you).

 

John, can you elaborate a little about only having video playback on one screen? What do you mean - hardware overlay? And how is it turned off?

Thanks

 

Most video players (VLC, Windows Media Player, PowerDVD, etc.) default to an overlay renderer. This is fine for most purposes. However, it usually only works on a single screen (can't mirror or extend across multiple screens).

The exact method of changing this varies depending on the software and version you are using for playback.

For media files I would recommend either VLC or Media Player Classic Home Cinema.

In VLC 0.94 go to Tools→Preferences→Video. Look for output and change from Default to DirectX or OpenGL.

In Media Player Classic Home Cinema go to View→Options→Playback→Output and select VMR9 renderless.

This should allow you to get video on multiple displays using your T400.

 

Does it matter, when outputting from VGA, if you use the integrated or discrete graphics? I assume the discrete gives a better picture?

 

Integrated is more than adequate unless you are gaming. The x4500MHD in the T400, x200, and other Montevina platform Thinkpads is able to process video (including 1080P AVC or VC1) just fine. I would use integrated to cut down on energy usage, heat, and consequently noise.