Ultrabay Slim HDTV Tuner Possible?

[Radioguy]

My memory was recently jogged that ThinkPads once had a TV tuner option (for a few models). Since that used an older interface, I wondered that since current ones are much improved (SATA, USB), if a ATSC tuner would be supported if supplied in the current Ultrabay slim spec?

I know ExpressCard lends itself to this as well, but I haven't seen a wholly flush (with the chassis) model with only an antenna jack. USB sticks are plentiful, but a dropped antenna can wrench a stick enough to wreck it or the jack it's in. So can moving the TP and accidentally hitting the stick against something. I was also thinking that a new bay option would allow for a tuner large enough to include enough flash memory for DVR functionality like some of the larger sticks, while going unnoticed (short of the external antenna).

If it couldn't be supported, it's a moot issue, but if it could, then I'm surprised it hasn't been developed for the reason I mentioned above.

[aaa]

Anything is possible if you try hard enough...

But first, the ultrabay interface is usually ATA or SATA, which you usually don't use for TV tuners, and second, there needs to be *alot* of demand for it to happen. The only way it would happen is if Lenovo wanted to make one, and they would probably come out with a new ultrabay interface with pciexpress in it or something, which would make it easier for them.

[killer]

It is difficult for manufacturers to produce a tuner that satisfies the demands of everyone. US and Canada use one system (NTSC), most of the world uses another system (PAL), and France uses their own system (SECAM aka Gone to lunch/strike ).

[Radioguy]

It is difficult for manufacturers to produce a tuner that satisfies the demands of everyone. US and Canada use one system (NTSC), most of the world uses another system (PAL), and France uses their own system (SECAM aka Gone to lunch/strike ).

That wouldn't be a dealkiller at all since several components of a ThinkPad already come in variations for region. (KB, transformer, cord etc)

Anything is possible if you try hard enough...

But first, the ultrabay interface is usually ATA or SATA, which you usually don't use for TV tuners, and second, there needs to be *alot* of demand for it to happen. The only way it would happen is if Lenovo wanted to make one, and they would probably come out with a new ultrabay interface with pciexpress in it or something, which would make it easier for them.

Well, from what I've read, the older TV tuners swapped out for the FDD, which I assume was caddied for use on an ATA type interface. So, while it may not "usually" have been used for tuners, it apparently has been. On the other hand, while the Ultrabay interface may be SATA, I thought I read that some think it's actually a form of USB, and that the HDD adapters (or the bus) are converting due to the throughput being seen. (IIRC) There's also an I/O option with serial and parallel, so that almost seems as if it's PCI.

I also think that Lenovo has shown they are more aware of the multimedia desires of the current laptop user than IBM had been previously. This type of option doesn't seem so far fetched now when they are introducing models like the W700ds.

[aaa]

There are readymade solutions for pci/pciexpress/usb, I am pretty sure there aren't any recent ones for ATA (even though it is possible, it is just a weird way to do things). If there aren't any already out there, then it's another roadblock keeping this from happening.

And SATA is not like USB, it is ATA using serial signals.

I'm guessing the serial option had it's own proprietary interface unique to the T6x.

[Radioguy]

There are readymade solutions for pci/pciexpress/usb, I am pretty sure there aren't any recent ones for ATA (even though it is possible, it is just a weird way to do things). If there aren't any already out there, then it's another roadblock keeping this from happening.

If you're referring to chipsets, I agree they would probably go the cheapest route and use some secondary one to translate to whatever interface needed.

And SATA is not like USB, it is ATA using serial signals.

I don't remember every saying the opposite. I had actually mentioned that some others had posted thinking there may be some conversion going on since an SATA HDD in the SATA version of the Ultrabay Slim HDD adapter should've been faster than what it was.

I'm guessing the serial option had it's own proprietary interface unique to the T6x.

I thought there was a picture showing there was more than one connection in the bay, but I forget. Either way, the current crop of models feature the new Serial Ultrabay Slim or Serial Ultrabay Enhanced:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-71257
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-71228
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-71478

The serial-specific aspect of these may be evidence that the previous SATA HDD adapter was converting. Also, the "Enhanced" version doesn't exclude compatibility with those other R/T6x options which may not use a SATA interface. The R (and the dead Z) series is more multimedia accommodating, so this would be an ideal starting platform for a new TV tuner pack. (Although I always try to own a T)