Why no S-Video out on X-series?

[beq]

I'm not too sure about the X32 and older X models, but how come the X40/X41/X41T don't have any S-Video (or Composite) out, just VGA out?

I really miss it, and wonder how much space/cost it would've taken to add one. I realize that the X series doesn't come with built-in optical drive nor speedy components, so perhaps they think it won't be used much to connect to a TV for DVD movie or game playing. But there are still many scenarios to connect to a regular TV (those that don't have VGA in). And besides, I used to carry the X40 UltraBase along all the time with a DVD drive.

Now I'm forced to use an external VGA-to-SVideo/Composite converter box, but even the smallest model I could find is a rather big box and unwieldy to use, what with all the cables I need to connect. There's a VGA cable going from the converter to the laptop, and a power cable from the converter to the laptop (USB bus power) or AC adapter, and an S-Video cable from the converter to the TV.

Does anyone know of a smaller VGA-to-SVideo adapter "cable"? I'm picturing an inline cable where one end is a VGA plug and the other is an S-Video plug (with no need for a power cable), as opposed to a huge powered converter box.

How about another convenient way to hook up the ThinkPad X to a regular TV?

[Yotam]

1. I don't know a specific device/cable, but I'm sure there is at least a "box" converter with no output power needed except USB, or a PCMCIA card. Don't know one, but it might be existed.
It's a bit problem to do that because it is not that simple. This converter should be able to convert VGA to both PAL and NTSC methods, what means changing frame rates and resolutions.

2. Why there aren't
A. DVI output?
B. One more USB port?
C. Firewire port?
D. Digital optical audio output?

I didn't open my computer chasis, but I'm sure it is enough crowded there. Of course, I agree with you, it would be very usable.

[beq]

I forgot about that, but you're right, a DVI port could be more useful (since you could always change it back to analog VGA via the small adapter).

A FireWire port would be good too...

[hkhalil]

Hi there,

I don't know if this box is smaller than the one you're using now, but a posted a link in another thread on the same topic for X31.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=11088

check it out... what are you using to do this, by the way ? hkhalil

[dmar]

FYI - the X31 has a Firewire port, and I'm pretty sure the X32 does too.

I'm living in China right now, where there's tons of useful and not-so-useful gadgets. I've asked about a USB to S-Video, or USB-Component cable, and have been told it's out there in the wild. I'm not holding my breath, but will update if it actually materializes.

[bhtooefr]

I don't think there's a USB to S-Video cable, but there IS a USB to VGA cable that goes under various names (and has various case designs)...

It costs $70 to $90. (It costs that much because it's a graphics card and adaptor chip (from USB to PCI) in one.)

You'd still have to get an S-Video adaptor, though, making it pointless.

[beq]

I don't know if this box is smaller than the one you're using now, but a posted a link in another thread on the same topic for X31.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=11088

check it out... what are you using to do this, by the way ? hkhalil

Thanks for the link. I ordered something that looks similar in size to that first unit. My unit supports up to 1920x1200 as a convenience (so you can leave your PC's mirror display at your normal high res) -- I've also seen other similar units around the net with the same specs as my unit:

http://www.cooldrives.com/moshtotvcoco.html


And as mentioned by someone else, I've also seen USB units offering a second VGA, like this one:

http://www.cooldrives.com/usb20svadfor.html