get DVI or HDMI out on my T400?

I am going to buy a LCD Monitor (probably Samsung T220HD). I want it to hook up with my T400. So,,,, Whats the best and economic way to get DVI or HDMI out on my T400? is there any cheap solution?

Thanks!!

 

There is no digital output on the T400. You're stuck with VGA.

 

Unless you get the docking station or the USB to DVI adapter that nobody has tried here yet.

 

I came to similar dilemma last month. I own a t400 and wanted a new monitor to replace a crappy old Gateway 17" LCD and be a cheap alternative to an HDTV for a PS3. I ended up purchasing the ASUS VH242H from Newegg ($175 shipped). I have since hooked up my t400 via VGA to it several times and it seems to be decent quality output. I am not sure what resolution it natively pushes through the VGA, but it looks decent nonetheless.

I guess what I am saying is:
1.) Why do you need to hook it up by DVI/HDMI? Video games, High res video?
2.) Have you considered standard VGA as an option?

Josh

Edit: Just looked at the monitor and noticed it didn't have VGA-in, duh

 

I have DVI and DisplayPort on mine. It's been explained to me that Lenovo did not want to pay for the "HDMI name license" whatever it's called.

What adapter do I need to connect mine up to one of three HDMI IN ports on my TV?

Why was Lenovo too cheap to pay for licensing fees, when every other manufacturer except HP I believe has HDMI ports???

Is that for both video and audio? I want to say I read a thread in the Lenovo forums. !?

 

Lenovo's displayport implementations do not support audio.

 

Right. I just read that in a looooong thread in the Lenovo forums.

So why the #$%^&*( not???? Am I supposed to read my way through subtitles? Are they included? lol...What am I missing here? High-end everything, and then no sound?

Thanks all!

 

there will be no sound???

 

That is correct. Sound was not enabled in Lenovo's implentation of DP.

 

And why is that? Is there usually sound w/ DP?? No HDMI, now NO audio to boot...Can you guys please elaborate as to why, and as to what I should do in order to get this working. Please?

 

As was said above...lenovo did not implement audio pass-thru with Displayport. The spec supports it, yes, and the intel platforms would support it; but lenovo just didn't utilize it for whatever reason.

You either have an analog output through the 3.5mm headphone out (not an ideal line-out) or you can go through getting some external DAC to pass the audio digitally.

 

Wow. And this on a machine (W700) that is specifically designed for high-end everything. I guess I am the only one bothered by this? lol...

Alright, you know what, why don't I just use the VGA connector. You know, all those bells and whistles on these new machines just leads to disappointments. (then there's the ssd matter! haha)

 

http://uk.europe.creative.com/produ...&subcategory=669&product=16642&nav=-1&listby=

I used to have the audigy 2 version of this and it was very good, not really what you are after but notebook audio, I don't think this can be beaten.

 

Wow, thanks for the link. Yea, that looks awesome. So audio-only with that connector, and then the DisplayPort (to HDMI yes?)...hmm...how do you put those together, as far as connecting them (it?) to an HDTV?

I've never done this but right now, I truly have to accomplish this.

EDIT: I also like this baby this baby right here. Doesn't matter what sound card is installed? I have the Conexant HD SmartAudio in my Thinkpad.

 

I guess it does suck. But the W700 and other Thinkpads aren't really designed with digital media in mind. They are designed as a workstation, which usually only has 2 speakers or even no speakers. I think an Alienware or a high end HP laptop is more of what you're thinking of.

 

That'll be the day. When I have a laptop that is not a Thinkpad. lolol...umm nope.

I like the clean business look and operation, besides the always unbeatable craftsmanship minus a few accidents (T30 comes to mind haha), the excellent warranty support and overall customer service.

And the W700...at first glance, was built with mostly digital everything in mind. For example, I've never seen a Thinkpad with a FireWire port lol...nor do I need or want it. The X-Rite Pantone color calibrator, which actually does make a difference (I was skeptical at first. ).

 

I think most Thinkpads past the T60 generation have a Firewire port. It's great you like Thinkpads. I just think they weren't really designed to be hooked up to a great stereo system and a big HDTV. And I've yet to see anyone do Displayport audio by the way. Displayport seems to be for LCD monitors, which don't have speakers, and HDMI seems better for HDTVs or receivers.

5.1 audio isn't really a priority for most Thinkpad users, (at least that's what I think Lenovo thinks). If you want 5.1 audio, something like the Alienware M17x is great because it has 5.1 audio straight from 3 minijacks. Also someone said Lenovo doesn't like HDMI and doesn't want to pay royalties and fees, that's not true, don't the Ideapads have HDMI?

 

HIS Multiview is an external device. A USB wire goes from your notebook to it and DVI or VGA going from that to your monitor. You can use up to the six of them. Supports resolutions up to 1680 x 1050 according to newegg.

review
http://www.overclockercafe.com/Reviews/VGA/HIS_Multi-View/index.htm

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815136002&Tpk=his multiview

 

I recently purchased a docking station for my T60 since i want to hook it up to my LCD-TV using HDMI. It cost about 100€ and also has a coaxial out-line, though ATM i don't have any use for it.

Lenovo has made things rather easy for my use, i just plug the laptop into the dock and use FN+F7 to switch the picture into TV. I'm quite happy with the solution.

 

Being a business laptop, having a VGA for presentations is key. HDMI and DVI are not business essential ports for this grade of laptop. If you want HDMI well then Im guess you are out of luck. DVI on the other hand is only a dock away, for 80-100 you can get an advanced mini dock off ebay and use digital video.

Correct me if Im wrong about the HDMI on the dock.

 

Thanks folks! Well, again, nothing but Thinkpads for me please. The dock!!!! Wow, that sounds like the perfect solution. And you did that with your T60? Awesome!

Again, I don't think the "it's a business laptop" flies anymore. I even have a FireWire port on mine, which I will never use. Lenovo also touts the W700 as a great gaming machine, as well as a powerhouse for anything HDTV. It is the only Thinkpad that has a choice of two crazy powerful nVIDIA graphics cards, which one can even upgrade!