Seeking Z12 "docking" advice/solutions

I recently purchased a VPCZ12Z9E.

Next to regular laptop useage, I intend to use the Vaio as a desktop replacement, since it's way faster and way less bulky as my current Bigtower desktop PC.

Browsing this forum, I found out this intention may well be difficult to realize, since the docking station appears to @#$@#.

When I place the Vaio in the docking station, I would like to output display to 2 x Samsung 245B 24" Dual Monitors.

Both monitors run in 1920x1200 (although 1920x1080 would be acceptable to) and have a VGA input and DVI input (at this moment they're connected to my desktop through DVI, so I don't know much about VGA performance).

Apparently the docking station does not offer 2x DVI output. Would it be possible to connect Monitor 1 through the docking station DVI output and Monitor 2 through the docking station VGA port? Or isn't this supported?

Any other solutions/suggestions getting this to work with the docking station?

The other option I saw on the forum is using Vidock2. I couldn't find a Dutch retailer (haven't done extensive searching though), so I don't know the Vidock's actual price, however I suppose it's not cheap. Furthermore I read the Vidock being a bit cumbersome (not being able to boot the PC with the Vidock connected) and if I also have to buy a Sony docking station, this solution will be as expensive as another desktop PC system.

What do you guys suggest?

 

I have not found ANY retailer currently selling Vidock2.

There are a number of USB solutions, and probably some expresscard ones also for second monitor. My F11 specs say that the HDMI will max output to 1920x1080, so if that is true for yours, you will have issues with 1920x1200. For the life of me, I can't understand why Sony would do something this dumb.

 

i would try to hook up both displays with the laptop first - one by vga and one by hdmi. if that works, you can be confident that the docking station will support that, too, since the vga port of the dock will be connected to your z's builtin vga port and the dvi-d uses the hdmi port.

that may do the trick although the image quality of the analog vga signal will not be able to keep up with the quality of the digital interface. i agree with you that the docking station kinda sucks and it is overpriced, but i have never seen a docking station providing more display ports than the laptop itself. with some older laptops i experienced docking stations providing a dvi port when only being capable of just routing the analog vga signal through that. imo, THAT sucks!

 

Consider a DIY ViDock. hwtools' PE4H 2.1 used to make the DIY ViDock is scheduled for release in September. It has a 0, 7 or 15 second PCI Reset Delay jumper so it isn't seen by the bios during bootup so causes no hangs. Much cheaper than ViDock 2 too at US$107 delivered. Just add a PSU + gfx card and you're set.

 

Doesn't work unfortunately. Bought an OVERPRICED HDMI to DVI converter (25 euro for a piece of plastic which runs a few wires!!! I'm returning it tomorrow).
Hooked up the Z through VGA and HDMI/DVI. Windows 7 recognizes both external monitors perfectly and both work fine at 1920x1200. don't really notice any difference between VGA and HDMI/DVI. However I can't get the thing to work with both monitors simultaneously. I can Duplicate or Extend the display only to one of both external monitors and the VaioZ's screen.
I've tried everything (also with the Vaio's Lid closed), however It doesn't seem possible to output to both monitors.

The NVidia Control Panel shows all three displays (2x external + Vaio display). However when I try to select both external displays, I get a tooltip saying "This GPU supports a single display - To use two displays on this GPU, reboot the computer". I've rebooted about 6 times (with lid closed and opened) with no succes.

Although I have no doubt this gets the job done, I'm not really excited about the Vidock option.
The great thing I thought about when Using a dock is to just put the Vaio in the dock (after prying out the connector cover that is) and work! The Vidock requires an extra connection. Furthermore If I would buy the DIY Vidock + PSU + GPU + Sony dock for the USB ports, keyboard, mouse, charging etc. I think it would cost me around 400-500 euro's. Pretty outrageous just to be able to hook up a second display.

A huge shame the Vaio dock doesn't support dual monitor.

Would it be a hardware issue or could the NVidea drivers have something to do with it? On another forum I read somebody else fixing the "This GPU supports a single display" message on his GT 9800 (or something like that) by updating to the lastes beta drivers.

 

If you just want attach additional displays, consider a DIY ViDock (PE4L) + 12V/72W ebay adapter + a low power s/h ebay HD4670. The PE4L has an additional USB port you could use to attach a keyboard, mouse or USB hub to it. Can be done quite cheaply with a little creativity. Nowhere near $500 euros.

 

You know, I think the PE4L guys are in a great position to build a really good dock. They can include a number of other interfaces (e.g. Firewire, USB3, Ethernet), and it'll be a proper dock. Do you know if they have any plans to do so?

 

It's just about screen real-estate. Gaming/3D does not matter at all.

However, it still wouldn't be an elegant solution. Having a PSU + GFXcard floating around somewhere on the desk next to an 2700 euro laptop. Kinda sounds like hanging dices on your brand new Aston Martins rearview-mirror.

 

If it is not too late to return the laptop, you could get an HP Envy 17. They will drive three external monitors. Not sure if all can get over 1080p though.

 

buying an envy 17 for a Z would mean a complete change of life.

im sorry that it seems both outputs dont work at the same time. since gaming does not matter you can get a quite cheap USB2.0 VGA grafic adapter (about 50€) that supports 1920 max over dvi. you can leave that connected to one of the 4 usb ports of the dock to achieve your wanted docking freedom.

e.g. that one:
(german shop)
I-Tec USB Display Adapter DVI - Grafikadapter - USB2.0 - Digital Visual Interface (DVI), HDMI (USB2HDTRIO)
hope you can get such a thing in the netherlands.

 

This Diamond looks like it might work; see the reviews.

Amazon.com: Diamond BVU195 HD USB Display Adapter (DVI and VGA with included DVI to VGA adapter): Explore similar items

 

I'm not going to get an Envy because of the dual monitor issue with the Z.

USB videocards are a great idea! I'll look into those.

 

I had an Asus laptop whose docking station drove two external 22" monitors fine (at 1680x1050 res). Moving to the Z, I faced the same disappointment in the Z's docking station. My solution was to use the little brother of the Vidock, the ViBook. Cost me arond $100 including shipping, and worked well once I installed updated drivers.

A big head's up: when I have one monitor hooked up to the ViBook, I lose Aero in Windows 7. A couple times I was able to run Aero with the ViBook in use - not sure how - and found the video very sluggish: moving the mouse across the screen was not smooth, but jumpy. Video is choppy too. Very annoying. With Aero disabled, mouse is smooth again, and video is fine, though I do notice it is almost, but not quite, as smooth at fullscreen video compared to the monitor driven directly by the Z. So yes, USB solutions work, but there is still some sacrifice. Not sure if the Diamond solution is any better - I doubt it is. Mainly I use my 2nd external for email and as my test area for software development. For that, it works great.

-Peter

 

This sounds promising. €100 is very manageable. I'm looking at their site, however it's not clear to me how it exactly works.

Your using Docking Station DVI port for Monitor1 and Vibook+ is plugged into Docking Station USB Port and Monitor2?

I can live withouth Aero. Most demanding thing I do graphicwise is watch Youtube and WMV's in WMP.

 

Yes, that's correct - DVI port and 1 USB port is used to drive my two externals. Note - the highest res for the Vibook is 1680x1050 (I think). I think the Vibook+ will support 1920x1200. The Vibook+ wasn't available when I ordered, and I only need the 1680x1050 res anyways, so it didn't concern me too much.

-Peter

 

Ok, then I'll be ordering a Vibook+ I guess!

Thanks for the info.

 

I've just received the Vibook+ and hooked it up.

Works great! It's almost tempting to place the VaioZ under both sceens and use it as a third monitor, however that would become cluttered I guess.

Exactly what I was looking for. Too bad I had to spend an extra €129, however it works perfectly.

Now I can order a docking station and a good NAS and the desktop can leave the building!

 

a) What's the frame rate like? Do you have to reduce the frequency of the external monitor and / or reduce color bits (32->16)?
b) If the utility VT Multidisplay came free, and if you've installed it, does it provide the ability to rotate the screen (i.e. portrait mode instead of landscape)?