W520 Displayport Audio? --oops! It has HDMI! --oops! Not!

[MikeM]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002CSRF9M -- but there were several similar options and different sellers.

(mods, I reread the rules, and I think that's okay to post; if not, I also PM'd MikeM with the info, so deletion is okay.)

Since I had already jumped the gun and bought a 15' HDMI cable here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001A5PDKQ, all I needed was the Displayport to HDMI adapter, which I sourced out here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6812270278

With these parts I ought to be able to park my W520 in the den with my wireless USB backlit Logitech keyboard and wireless USB Logitech Trackball (hard to mouse on the arm of my Laz-y-Boy recliner) and play FARMVILLE on my 46" Sony Bravia. Time to pitch that PS3!!

[davidhbrown]

Unsurprisingly, audio over DisplayPort to DisplayPort works just fine, too. Though as this is a digital audio signal, it requires support from the monitor. (Mine is a Dell U2410 which then sends an analog signal to its "soundbar" speakers that I previously had running over to get the audio from the dock.) I was at Radio Shack anyway for some very overpriced capacitors so I picked up an only slightly overpriced cable (US$15+tax) there.

[westsailor]

I never really cared, paid much attention to the DisplayPort on my W500. In fact, I had always 'assumed' it was an HDMI port. Whoops. Guess I need a DisplayPort -> HDMI adapter.

I have determined (Google is your friend) the W500 incorporates DisplayPort version 1.1. It appears DP++ is NOT implemented, i.e. it is not a 'dual-mode DisplayPort. It also appears the W500 is limited to 2048x1536 over the DisplayPort

Does that affect what kind of adapter I need to be shopping for to use the W500 (w/ ATI FireGL V5700) to drive a 1080P (1920X1080) LCD TV?

Or would any ol standard, off the shelf DisplayPort->HDMI adapter work as well as I can expect?

[davidhbrown]

would any ol standard, off the shelf DisplayPort->HDMI adapter work as well as I can expect?

That's an interesting question. The description of the cable I ordered didn't mention DP++, but the discussion of compatibility with HDMI on Wikipedia sure makes it sound like a DP++ capability.

[davidhbrown]

I'm not liking DisplayPort very much for hooking up my main monitor. Link to topic in general hardware forum.

[ausmike]

Hiya David;
maybe you can "explain" WHY I am B*** of the DP ......
for near $3500 - one would think to add a SIMPLE HMDI that EVERYONE ELSE in laptopland NOW HAS !!!!!

sorry for your troubles matey ,,,,,,,,,, i been didgusted with DP for yrs for work purposes!!!