Thinkpads Forum

Hi I have just got my first thinkpad (x201 i3 4gb etc) which I amvery happy with but have a couple of questions,

1. Is there anyway better way of getting video out to a tv other than the VGA port? I would like the option of using my tv as a monitor which was one reason I almost bought an edge (as they have hdmi) but I wanted a "real" thinkpad so stuck with the x series. I was hoping for a USB or expresscard type but what would you use?

2. Half the battery seems to be very loose? One side is stuck firm and the other wobbles around when you pick the laptop up, Is this normal? (could be to allow for heat expansion?)

3. Once the screen contrast randomly went lower and lower over a 20 second period, then raised higher and higher until words become unreadable whilst I was using it? This isnt the normal brightness/idle setting as there was no display going up or down and was definitely more contrast changing. Again any ideas why?

Sorry for all the questions but looking on here you all seem to be able to help and apart from the above I am very pleased with a thinkpad (although getting the EPP discount helped alot aswell!)

AndyR wrote:Is there anyway better way of getting video out to a tv other than the VGA port? ... I was hoping for a USB or expresscard type but what would you use?

I use VGA, but my TV supports it. You should be able to get a converter for not too much money though.

Half the battery seems to be very loose? One side is stuck firm and the other wobbles around when you pick the laptop up, Is this normal? (could be to allow for heat expansion?)

Some amount of play is normal. It's been theorized that this is to allow for thermal expansion, but I don't think it's ever been officially confirmed.

Once the screen contrast randomly went lower and lower over a 20 second period, then raised higher and higher until words become unreadable whilst I was using it? This isnt the normal brightness/idle setting as there was no display going up or down and was definitely more contrast changing. Again any ideas why?

I would guess that this might have something to do with some driver setting -- but as I don't use Windows on my X200, I'm afraid I can't offer any suggestions as to where to look. I can say with certainty that it's not a hardware feature, as my X200 doesn't behave that way.

AndyR wrote:3. Once the screen contrast randomly went lower and lower over a 20 second period, then raised higher and higher until words become unreadable whilst I was using it? This isnt the normal brightness/idle setting as there was no display going up or down and was definitely more contrast changing. Again any ideas why?

It seems like power optimization feature, which makes already crappy lenovo screen even crappier.
I don't remember which exact setting is responsible for that. Try:
1) Switch to Advanced mode in Thinkpad Power Manager, then on a "Power Plan" tab, in "Advanced settings" set "Adaptive display" to "Off".
2) In Intel HD Graphics driver setting, on "Power" tab, "Power Features" page, disable the "Display Power Saving Technology" checkbox.

If you have the UltraBase there are perhaps a couple options. But others have used the USB to HDMI with success.

ThinkRob wrote:
I use VGA, but my TV supports it. You should be able to get a converter for not too much money though.

Thanks for all the replies,

For the above would using a VGA converters (say to RCA/s-Video) mean awful quality? The last time I put a notebook screen using s-video onto my 42" TV the picture was unusable, Would VGA have the same output? For example would a film output over VGA to a 42" screen be watchable if was in HD on the notebook?

For USB to HDMI I presume these are very expensive?

AndyR wrote:For the above would using a VGA converters (say to RCA/s-Video) mean awful quality? The last time I put a notebook screen using s-video onto my 42" TV the picture was unusable, Would VGA have the same output? For example would a film output over VGA to a 42" screen be watchable if was in HD on the notebook?

It depends of the resolutions your TV supports over VGA.
That is, if it does support 1280*800 or 1366*768, then by setting such a resolution for VGA output on laptop, you will get the same HD (720p) video; except for it may (or may not) be blurry just because VGA is analog, not digital, connection; it will be the same blur one will experience when connecting an external LCD with VGA cable.
There is a DisplayPort on X200 ultrabase, it is logically the same as HDMI, and there are relatively cheap DisplayPort->HDMI cables.

As for an external USB "videocard" with HDMI output, i doubt video will be watchable with it. USB just cannot provide enough bandwidth; compare theoretical limit of 480mbits/sec for USB2.0 with 4gbits/sec needed for 1080p. It may work on a simple images (e.g. when you're working with text) because such an image could be fast and reasonably well compressed, but for movies... it is impossible.

penartur wrote:It depends of the resolutions your TV supports over VGA.
That is, if it does support 1280*800 or 1366*768, then by setting such a resolution for VGA output on laptop, you will get the same HD (720p) video; except for it may (or may not) be blurry just because VGA is analog, not digital, connection; it will be the same blur one will experience when connecting an external LCD with VGA cable..

Thanks for your reply,

My TV does not have a VGA input, just RCA and HDMI. I thought I could try a cheapish VGA>RCA adapter and plug it in and see what happens I guess.

Like this - http://www.lambda-tek.com/componentshop ... ID=B238558
Along with a audio - http://www.computersonlineshop.co.uk/de ... B000CI4VJQ

Would that be the best way forward? Would prefer to avoid the cost and extra weight of a ultrabase if possible.

AndyR wrote:TV does not have a VGA input, just RCA and HDMI.

Component on RCA, I assume and not composite. If that is the case, then you will need a transcoder and not just a breakout cable. Something like this should do it.

Neil wrote:Component on RCA, I assume and not composite. If that is the case, then you will need a transcoder and not just a breakout cable. Something like this should do it.

Sorry I am not explaining well,

my TV has (not sure which is which) RCA for a yellow video (then red and white for sound) and the Pr, Pb (i think) for RGB + Red and White for sound.

Would it be easier to get this type of cable - http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electro ... d:16164334

As you can tell im not the mostly technically minded and I can't work out what the red and white cables are for as I cant see how VGA gives out audio? Also why there is both S-Video and the yellow RCA?

Would the above work is what Iideally would like to know and also what I should expect the quality to be like.

Thanks in advance.

It wouldn't work. These adapters only function if the VGA output already carries the component/composite/s-video signal. Most laptops, including any Thinkpads I know of, do not output these special signals on the VGA port. To get an output from your Thinkpad to any of these signal types, an active converter box will have to be used.

AndyR wrote:Thanks for your reply,

My TV does not have a VGA input, just RCA and HDMI. I thought I could try a cheapish VGA>RCA adapter and plug it in and see what happens I guess.

Like this - http://www.lambda-tek.com/componentshop ... ID=B238558
Along with a audio - http://www.computersonlineshop.co.uk/de ... B000CI4VJQ

Would that be the best way forward? Would prefer to avoid the cost and extra weight of a ultrabase if possible.

It seems that these cables do not have any logic inside. That is, it is just like 1/8"-to-USB cable for ipod shuffle; as the latter will work only with ipod shuffle (because only shuffle transmits USB data through the same 1/8" connector), your cable will only work with such VGA output that already has TV signal inside of it (that is, if laptop supports TV-out, but the manufacturer chosen to combine TV-out and VGA-out in a single port).
I'd suggested you to purchase X200 ultrabase and some cheap DisplayPort->HDMI cable. Then you will get crystal clear digital image on your TV.

dr_st wrote:It wouldn't work. These adapters only function if the VGA output already carries the component/composite/s-video signal. Most laptops, including any Thinkpads I know of, do not output these special signals on the VGA port. To get an output from your Thinkpad to any of these signal types, an active converter box will have to be used.

Ok thanks,

I will have a look to see what converter will be best, does anyone have any suggestions? Don't want to spend loads!

It's not cheap but you could try one of the new WiDi adaptors. I think they are neat and they support video & audio. I saw a new one without box on eBay for £55. I believe it works on your X201, but you would check that anyway.

u751920 wrote:It's not cheap but you could try one of the new WiDi adaptors. I think they are neat and they support video & audio. I saw a new one without box on eBay for £55.

One could purchase UltraBase for the same money, and stream digital FullHD content to the TV directly.

penartur wrote: One could purchase UltraBase for the same money, and stream digital FullHD content to the TV directly.

Hi, Thanks for your reply,

When you say "stream" do you mean using the displayport with a converter cable to HDMI or is there a wireless way?

Secondly where could i find a £55 Ultrabase?

I have had a quick look into the WiDi but seems intel dont like my Intel 1000 Wirelss adapter, in hindsight I should have spent the extra £7.00 hand got the 6200

AndyR wrote:When you say "stream" do you mean using the displayport with a converter cable to HDMI or is there a wireless way?

I meant a wired way. By the way, DisplayPort->HDMI is not a converter cable, it is just a cable with different ports (and pinouts) on both sides. Just like e.g. USB->miniUSB.

Secondly where could i find a £55 Ultrabase?

Such offers are often appear on ebay.
I remember someone sold a lot of brand new and sealed X200 ultrabase + DVDRW for $100 each recently... unfortunately, i missed that deal.
You should just monitor ebay and "marketplace" board on this forum for a while.

I have had a quick look into the WiDi but seems intel dont like my Intel 1000 Wirelss adapter, in hindsight I should have spent the extra £7.00 hand got the 6200

I don't know much about WiDi, but if it streams through WiFi, it will be much worse than video over USB (which is itself bad enough).

thankyou very much,

I think a cheap ultrabase will be the best longterm solution, I will keep an eye out,