F. Paul Figlia
Bailey, Colorado USA
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Joined: 12/27/2001
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Hey folks,
My wife just told me that I am now in the market for a slim/lightweight laptop to match her own dimensions.
So far, I like the Sony VAIO series - I think the R505DL is the model number. A DVD drive is standard so we'll be able to use it watch some movies in the RV but here are TWO questions:
Question One: AUDIO:
The laptop's speakers simply dont have enough volume when playing a DVD. What can I use to plug into the laptop's headphone speaker jack to get some decent sound? Would plugging in a pair of cheapo computer speakers with built in amplifiers and then using an inverter to supply the necessary AC work?
I really dont need surround sound - stereo would be nice but not mandatory. I just need something loud enough for these old ears to take in.
Question 2: VIDEO
Is there anyway to use the laptop screen as a TV monitor?
For example, can I use my Satellite receiver to feed the laptop either an analog signal via RCA jacks or even an S-video output in order to use the laptop screen for TV watching?
It would be sweet if the laptop could serve triple duty as a PC, DVD player & SAT TV monitor.
Thanks in advance to all!!
F. Paul Figlia - email: fpfiglia@earthlink.net
Bailey, Colorado
2001 Gulfstream Conquest Ltd. Ford V10 Triton
"The problem with life is there's no danger music"
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CajunOnTheMove
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
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Joined: 11/02/2001
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Never used the laptop screen as a TV screen but I have used the TV screen as a laptop monitor.
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steve781
New England
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I think the Sony Vaio is a great laptop. Regarding the audio, the best way to get the sound out while driving is to have it play on your rigs dash stereo.
Go to Radio Shack and ask for a CD adapter cassette. This is a regular cassette tape with a wire that you can plug directly into your laptop speaker jack. So, all sound that comes from the laptop will now go through the speakers of your stereo. The cassette tape is designed for laptops and CD players to transfer the sound to your stereo. Nothing else to plug in or buy and it costs $19.99.
I use this for my laptop which uses the GPS software. It allows me to hear the computer as it "speaks" directions. Works perfectly without a million wires all over the place.
Steve
2001 31' Four Winds Hurricane Class A 30Q / Ford V-10
Toad: 2004 Honda Element EX 4WD
Aventa II tow bar
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steve781
New England
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How did you get the TV to work while driving? Mine shuts off as I enter Drive. Would be nice to have the laptop maps show on the TV instead of the little laptop screen.
Thanks
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CajunOnTheMove
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
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Not sure what to tell ya Steve, that must be some safety feature on your rig. All of my TVs work no matter what gear I'm in. Perhaps someone can tell you how to disconnect it or I assume if you have AC power to another plug you could re-route the power cord for the TV. At least while driving. I will caution you though the video quality is not as good as the laptop screen. Yes the picture is bigger but its a bit more fuzzy. Reading street names is a little more difficult. I am told there is a piece of hardware you can buy that plugs into your video output on the machine (if yours has one) that makes the picture much better but I didn't invest in it. The location of my TV would not be conducive to watching while driving.
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wdmalone
West Melbourne, FL
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Joined: 12/27/2001
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I have been working on using the front mounted 19” TV as a laptop computer monitor for viewing GPS operated Street Atlas. I purchased a converter for about $100 and found the picture did not have enough detail to be useful. The regular TV standard will not support the requirements of the computer. Wasted money. If anyone wants to find out for himself I will sell the converter for half price . Next I purchased a computer TV tuner card. The results using this with my desktop computer were pretty good, except the computer was not fast enough to get the overlays. A new 1.8 gHz computer made the thing work. I got a pretty good picture on the 17” screen. I believe that if one could mount a good desktop computer with an 18” flat monitor in the RV without having the vibration and bumps kill the hard drive, the combinations would be useful as a TV, a DVD and a GPS navigational system. I also believe one can also use a good laptop with an appropriate TV tuner to do the same thing. Unfortunately I have I already spent my money on the converter, tuner and new desktop. Education is expensive no matter where you get it .
Wayne/FL
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F. Paul Figlia
Bailey, Colorado USA
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Guys,
I think my original post misled some into thinking I was trying to figure out how to use the laptop screen as a TV while in travelling.
That's not the case, I was anticipating doing so while already parked and wondered if there was a way to hook up the Satellite TV receiver (Dish Network) to feed the laptop instead of a bulky TV for video purposes.
Sorry for the confusion.
Steve - that's a great idea of using that device to be able to use the coach's built in speaker system to amplify the laptop's audio out. Thanks very much - the wife will be very impressed.
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HiTech
SE Michigan
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Joined: 03/22/2002
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The cheapie amplified speakers will work as well, and often the transformer to run them is 12V so you could plum right inot the rig's 12V.
You have to check if the notebook has a video in plug. Sometimes the video out RCA jack on some notebooks can also take RCA in. If yes, you can use a VCR as the TV tuner and play tapes as well.
I think there are also USB frame grabbers that might work the same way, or PC CARD (formerly PCMCIA) adapters for frame grabbing that can function as A/V in ports.
-Jim
2002 Gulfstream Conquest Class C
Rolling wired and wireless network
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F. Paul Figlia
Bailey, Colorado USA
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Steve,
Thanks for the clever idea - it works great!
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Wilbur4321
Renton, WA, USA
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Sure, you should be able to use the laptop to watch regular TV; definitely a good idea in fact if you have limited space.
With the Viao, you've got a number of choices. I believe you have firewire (ieee1394) on the thing, so your *best* bet is probably to get a ieee1394 tv tuner. Actually, you said this is for satellite, not off the air, so you just need a converter, not a full tuner (converter will take RCA input, tuner will take cable-type input). However, that'll probably set you back $200-300.
What you more likely should get is a USB TV tuner. You should be able to get this for $70-$100. Haven't tried it myself, but it should do the job for you.
If you buy your laptop in person, ask your salesperson and s/he should get you the right item from their shelves. Also, as someone else mentioned, double-check to ensure your laptop doesn't come with a TV in (possible, but relatively unlikely). Don't confuse that with a TV *out*, which many laptops do come with.
Thanks,
--randy
1998 Palm Breeze 32.5'
me, wife and 7 little ones! (yes, kids!)
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