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Topic: laptops with only hdmi out

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Hi, I'm looking to buy a new gigging laptop. I'm considering a Zepto Nox or a toshiba Qosmio f50. it would be nice to use them for video although these pages are strewn with tales of heartbreak from cleverer DJ's than me where Laptops and video are concerned. My question is this, both these laptops appear to have only hdmi out and my gigs currently only accept what I believe is composite ( yellow rca phono ). What are my options, does hdmi incorporate a 'normal' video signal ?

Have to say that after some five years I'm still loving this program.

Thanks
 
Posted Thu 21 Aug 08 @ 8:50 pm
The one thing that I found out while researching laptops. Remember that your ( in most cases ) going hook directly with a TV or box that has HDMI connection. So it would be useless feature at this point. I also found out that there is no adapter or converter as of yet.
 
Hi Fatkatzdj, actually I'm normally connecting to a Club distribution or matrix system which accept an RCA or BNC video in, no HDMI at all. I'm sure more modern ones accept HDMI but the clubs I'm playing don't have these.

Thanks for your reply.

John
 
even with hdmi, there SHOULD be an s-video out right... the toshiba now only has hdmi? hmm...

you could bring a tv reciever whereever you go to convert the signal lol
 
Well my laptop has the same thing only HDMI out but you can also use your VGA out as well. You will need a VGA to Composite Converter Box. I am looking into one myself.
 
Good thinking djkapitalkev, would you keep me posted as to how you go on, by private message if necessary.

Thanks

John
 
I have a i-link port... I'm still trying to figure out why the HDMI port. Most laptops that use video output mainly for presentations of some sort. Why in the hell do we need a HDMI with no option of SVIDEO. I guess another case of technology faster than purpose.
 
I will go ahead and tell you that just buying one of those cheap $5 VGA to S-Video adapters will not cut it you will need an actual VGA To TV Converter Box. I have seen them fairly cheap on Ebay around $30. I still have not purchased one at the moment. I dont have private message on here but if you google my name you should find myspace or a way to contact me if necessary.
 
I am interested in this topic too. Are most of you using converter boxes to run to S-Video?

Do you find that any of your clubs have HDMI input into their systems or is that too advanced for most clubs?
 
I have just bought a new Dell Studio laptop which does NOT have S-Video.

It does however have VGA and HDMI outputs. I have a small PC to TV convertor box bought from Maplins for £30 which plugs into the VGA output. It gives VGA, S-Video and Composite Video outputs which can all be used at the same time.

My two residencies both use Composite Video inputs/outputs on their TV distribution boxes.
 
At my club we are using Component In (You know Red,Green,Blue), the converter box we use is this:



Works pretty well. Has S-Video, Composite, and RGB Outs.



Now what I think the original poster is looking for is this:

[url=http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3941016&CatId=3667]

It is $300 though. Yikes!
 
Most HDMI to Composit or S-Video converters have to much signal delay to use them for anything except ambient videos until you get into the $1500.00 price tags. I ended up buying a projector that down converts in the daisey chain mode it was the only way my dell XPS 1330 would do composit with good audio sync
 


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