Need a HTPC Laptop

[raj29shenoy]

I am planning to buy a laptop with HD video and audio capability i.e. it should have HDMI 1080p output, S/PDIF output for 5.1 sound. It should support DTS-HD MA and Dolby TruHD audio formats along with normal DTS and DD formats so that I can output it to my Onkyo HTS3300 home theater. Hence it should also have Blu-Ray Drive. I checked in net, and found Dell XPS 15 is the closest match. It has HDMI out, SPDIF out with GeForce GT 540M graphics card which support HDMI 1.4a with 7.1 surround sound, 3D Blu0Ray support etc. But it is not clear if it supports HD audio formats.
Can anyone throw some light on this? If there is a better laptop available, then please share. Thanks.

 

[theironhorse]

whats the upper threshold for the budget raj29shenoy.

 

[theironhorse]

we can have many options in asus , alienware and more..

 

[raj29shenoy]

I have not really given a thought for the budget, but I feel the upper limit should be 70K.

 

[ontherocks]

it should have HDMI 1080p output, S/PDIF output for 5.1 sound.

If the laptop has HDMI output, there is no need for another S/PDIF output.

 

[spirovious]

Dell inspiron 14 is available with ATI 5650 mobility for 35k less.even on Dell India site.
http://www.dell.com/in/p/inspiron-14r/pd#TechSpec

 

[marsilians]

I am planning to buy a laptop with HD video and audio capability i.e. it should have HDMI 1080p output, S/PDIF output for 5.1 sound. It should support DTS-HD MA and Dolby TruHD audio formats along with normal DTS and DD formats so that I can output it to my Onkyo HTS3300 home theater. Hence it should also have Blu-Ray Drive. I checked in net, and found Dell XPS 15 is the closest match. It has HDMI out, SPDIF out with GeForce GT 540M graphics card which support HDMI 1.4a with 7.1 surround sound, 3D Blu0Ray support etc. But it is not clear if it supports HD audio formats.
Can anyone throw some light on this? If there is a better laptop available, then please share. Thanks.

you are asking for too much in a laptop. Even if you end up managing to get one that meets your requirements the cost is going to be very high with limited upgrade options vs. letting some components like the AVR do the job independently. I suggest you look for a combination of laptop + AVR or a preprocessor to get what you are looking for to keep the setup simple.

 

[raj29shenoy]

If the laptop has HDMI output, there is no need for another S/PDIF output.

From my experiences with Iomega media player and Samsung DVD player, I have found out that some devices dont output 5.1 audio over HDMI but use seperare SPDIF or Coaxial cable. So I dont want to take any chances...

 

[raj29shenoy]

you are asking for too much in a laptop. Even if you end up managing to get one that meets your requirements the cost is going to be very high with limited upgrade options vs. letting some components like the AVR do the job independently. I suggest you look for a combination of laptop + AVR or a preprocessor to get what you are looking for to keep the setup simple.

Even I thought so for a moment, but when I saw the spec of Dell XPS 15, I feel my requirements can be met. Just check this: Dell XPS 15 Laptop Details | Dell India

I just need to be convinced that there are no hidden issues in this configuration or I have missed out anything or if something better is available in the market.

 

[Kittu]

You can also check ASUS and LENOVO ideapads. But best is to have a mini desktop based HTPC . Huge savings and plenty of options to customize according to your requirement.

 

[ontherocks]

From my experiences with Iomega media player and Samsung DVD player, I have found out that some devices dont output 5.1 audio over HDMI but use seperare SPDIF or Coaxial cable.

Model numbers?

 

[raj29shenoy]

Model numbers?

Iomega Screenplay Director 1TB

 

[raj29shenoy]

You can also check ASUS and LENOVO ideapads. But best is to have a mini desktop based HTPC . Huge savings and plenty of options to customize according to your requirement.

Problem is that I will lose portability if I go for desktop as I plan to hook it up to my home theater which is in my living room.

 

[Kittu]

You can also consider htpc based media players like Xtreamer prodigy, playon fluxx and Zotac mini htpc ...

If you want only laptops better get one i7 based laptop from U.S.A with built in bluray and good 2gb graphics card.

 

[raghumailbox]

Right now i am using SONY VAIO E-series VPCEC -
Display - 17.5 in
Bluray Disc Drive
HDMI o/p
4GB RAM
Intel i5 processor
Win 7 Ultimate
SATA i/p
1GB ATI Graphics
with many other options like - camera, Bluetooth, card readers, etc

It is huge, smarter and faster.

 

[Kittu]

17.5 inch screen size , sounds like sleek and portable .... Btw, howmuch u paid for it?

 

[raghumailbox]

17.5 inch screen size , sounds like sleek and portable .... Btw, howmuch u paid for it?

It was costing 65k in India and I got it from US for 42k (6months back)

 

[baijuxavior]

17" lap. Even my 15" seems bulky to me. I now rarely take my laptop with me.

 

[marsilians]

Even I thought so for a moment, but when I saw the spec of Dell XPS 15, I feel my requirements can be met. Just check this: Dell XPS 15 Laptop Details | Dell India

I just need to be convinced that there are no hidden issues in this configuration or I have missed out anything or if something better is available in the market.

If you are expecting others to convince you to make purchasing decisions then its a financial quagmire that you will find yourself in very soon. As much as I see options to build a laptop with your requirements it will be average at best as you are pushing too much on the functionality that will impede performance of the laptop. This is like saying that you will use an iphone as your digital source since it is capable of doing it. You will end up with a middle of the road system that something that is specialised to work such as AVR.