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Home Theater => Sources => HTPCs => Topic started by: Vince_H12 on Nov 12, 2012 at 05:33 PM

Title: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: Vince_H12 on Nov 12, 2012 at 05:33 PM
Thinking of getting a laptop that will serve also as my media player in a home theater set up. Please recommended a brand/model for a budget of 40K. Will connect it with my Onkyo AVR.

Will use it to play bluray iso and 3D bluray iso files. Also if possible yung may bluray rom na. Also please recommended the best video sofware player for my purpose.

Thanks so much Pdvd gurus and helpful members O0
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: Verbl Kint on Nov 12, 2012 at 07:15 PM
That budget may not be enough. The laptops that I've seen locally that come with BD drives are just over 40k.

I hope there's someone here who can point you in the right direction as your request got me curious too. :)
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: ≧◉◡◉≦xrampage≧◉◡◉≦ on Nov 12, 2012 at 07:52 PM
Why not build a HTPC with bluray writer.

AMD A10-5800k 5k+
FM2 MATX board - 5k
Memory - (2x4GB) 8GB - 3k
HDD - 2TB - 6k
Silverstone HTPC Case with many HDD slot - 5k
Bluray Writer - 7k
PSU - 2k
Total 33000


May barya ka pa sa 40k.  ^-^ ^-^
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: Vince_H12 on Nov 12, 2012 at 09:17 PM
That budget may not be enough. The laptops that I've seen locally that come with BD drives are just over 40k.

I hope there's someone here who can point you in the right direction as your request got me curious too. :)

Thanks, hopefully meron :)

Why not build a HTPC with bluray writer.

AMD A10-5800k 5k+
FM2 MATX board - 5k
Memory - (2x4GB) 8GB - 3k
HDD - 2TB - 6k
Silverstone HTPC Case with many HDD slot - 5k
Bluray Writer - 7k
PSU - 2k
Total 33000


May barya ka pa sa 40k.  ^-^ ^-^

I know that desktop is cheaper but I will also use the laptop for other stuff. Ayaw ko namang gumawa ng excel and presentations using my projector :D
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: Stagea on Nov 13, 2012 at 12:35 AM
That budget may not be enough. The laptops that I've seen locally that come with BD drives are just over 40k.

I hope there's someone here who can point you in the right direction as your request got me curious too. :)

Yup. Mostly mga higher-spec i7 models ang may BD drives locally.

If the TS is buying from the internet, madami sa US na entry level and mid level units na may BD drive. I think the reason is because of BD's level of penetration in their market.
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: ≧◉◡◉≦xrampage≧◉◡◉≦ on Nov 13, 2012 at 06:57 AM
Thanks, hopefully meron :)

I know that desktop is cheaper but I will also use the laptop for other stuff. Ayaw ko namang gumawa ng excel and presentations using my projector :D

You can buy a monitor then kasi may barya ka pa naman for your other stuff.  >:D >:D

Yup. Mostly mga higher-spec i7 models ang may BD drives locally.

If the TS is buying from the internet, madami sa US na entry level and mid level units na may BD drive. I think the reason is because of BD's level of penetration in their market.


+1

US import is the answer.  >:D >:D
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: Stagea on Nov 13, 2012 at 07:30 AM
This looks like a fairly reasonable solution:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4904406&CatId=4935 (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4904406&CatId=4935)
(http://images.highspeedbackbone.net/SkuImages/gallery/large/A50-156418_vcall01_mv_gl_4904406.jpg)
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: Vince_H12 on Nov 13, 2012 at 08:11 AM
You can buy a monitor then kasi may barya ka pa naman for your other stuff.  >:D >:D

Problem is I can't bring them to a cafe or use it when I lay down on my bed ^-^

This looks like a fairly reasonable solution:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4904406&CatId=4935 (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4904406&CatId=4935)
(http://images.highspeedbackbone.net/SkuImages/gallery/large/A50-156418_vcall01_mv_gl_4904406.jpg)

Thanks bro, will look into that.

How about this one? Yun nga lang walang bluray drive :(
http://www.tipidpc.com/viewitem.php?iid=20534275 (http://www.tipidpc.com/viewitem.php?iid=20534275)
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: ♡ lvcdg23™ ✌ on Nov 13, 2012 at 10:22 AM
Up...
Curious din ako dito.
Mas ok yung may software na pwede icontrol with Android and Apple devices ;D
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: ≧◉◡◉≦xrampage≧◉◡◉≦ on Nov 13, 2012 at 10:25 AM
Up...
Curious din ako dito.
Mas ok yung may software na pwede icontrol with Android and Apple devices ;D

Madami jan like xmbc can control by Android or IOS.  ^-^ ^-^ ^-^
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: ♡ lvcdg23™ ✌ on Nov 13, 2012 at 10:30 AM
Madami jan like xmbc can control by Android or IOS.  ^-^ ^-^ ^-^

Reyna Elmira alam ko master na master mo na ang HTPC...
Gawa ka naman ng tutorial pano integrate ang XMBC, etc sa mga video player softwares like PowerDVD ;D
Yung parang iniexplain mo sa kinder garden student like me ^-^
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: ≧◉◡◉≦xrampage≧◉◡◉≦ on Nov 13, 2012 at 10:35 AM
Reyna Elmira alam ko master na master mo na ang HTPC...
Gawa ka naman ng tutorial pano integrate ang XMBC, etc sa mga video player softwares like PowerDVD ;D
Yung parang iniexplain mo sa kinder garden student like me ^-^

Will do for you sister and for the benefit of all. Will pst at HTPC thread and if mod can put the tutorial on the first page and edit the name include the info of the tutorial on the thread name. ^-^ ^-^ ^-^
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: ♡ lvcdg23™ ✌ on Nov 13, 2012 at 10:46 AM
Will do for you sister and for the benefit of all. Will pst at HTPC thread and if mod can put the tutorial on the first page and edit the name include the info of the tutorial on the thread name. ^-^ ^-^ ^-^

Salamat sister!!! :-*
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: raider125jeigh on Nov 13, 2012 at 10:48 AM
Salamat sister!!! :-*
sa ibang htpc gagana ung setup pero sa htpc ni elms...maghang hahaha...JK
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: ≧◉◡◉≦xrampage≧◉◡◉≦ on Nov 13, 2012 at 10:54 AM
sa ibang htpc gagana ung setup pero sa htpc ni elms...maghang hahaha...JK

Bad ka..  :'( :'( :'(

Salamat sister!!! :-*

I already created a thread for the tutorial will update soon.  >:D >:D >:D
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: ♡ lvcdg23™ ✌ on Nov 13, 2012 at 01:06 PM
I already created a thread for the tutorial will update soon.  >:D >:D >:D

San na yung thread sis? Bakit nawala?
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: ≧◉◡◉≦xrampage≧◉◡◉≦ on Nov 14, 2012 at 08:44 PM
San na yung thread sis? Bakit nawala?

Inalis ko muna kasi ala pa ako time baka matengga lang at mayari ako ng mode. Create ko muna tutorial and saka ako gawa ng thread.  >:D >:D
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: Courage on Nov 14, 2012 at 10:25 PM
Up...
Curious din ako dito.
Mas ok yung may software na pwede icontrol with Android and Apple devices ;D

Im using my ipad to remotely control xmbc.... Pag tinatamad akong mag lipat sa external hdd nang downloads ko sa laptop ko na pinaplay ang movies....kaso until now di ko pa rin mapagana ang hd audio sa xmbc...
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: ≧◉◡◉≦xrampage≧◉◡◉≦ on Nov 14, 2012 at 10:31 PM
Im using my ipad to remotely control xmbc.... Pag tinatamad akong mag lipat sa external hdd nang downloads ko sa laptop ko na pinaplay ang movies....kaso until now di ko pa rin mapagana ang hd audio sa xmbc...

Yung default kasi ng xmbc wala support ng hd audio pero may gumawa. Check on the link below. Ako kasi gumagamit ako ng external player to play my bluray and mkv powerdvd and splash pro. Mas maganda pa din kasi kesa default na xmbc player.  O0

http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=109314&pid=880108#pid880108 (http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=109314&pid=880108#pid880108)
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: Verbl Kint on Nov 15, 2012 at 04:43 AM
How about this one? Yun nga lang walang bluray drive :(
http://www.tipidpc.com/viewitem.php?iid=20534275 (http://www.tipidpc.com/viewitem.php?iid=20534275)

Kung ok lang na walang blu-ray drive, I would get this instead:

MSI (GE60 ONC-i5185+) | *15.6-in. HD (1366x768) anti-glare LED backlight, i5-3210 2.5GHz, 08Gb, 500Gb, GT650M 2Gb GDDR5, DVDRW, DOS PhP 37,500.00
(Seller is PC Corner)

It's a little bit more expensive, but the performance difference is wide.  Already has Ivy Bridge and a good discrete video card (GT650M).
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: ≧◉◡◉≦xrampage≧◉◡◉≦ on Nov 15, 2012 at 09:15 AM
Kung ok lang na walang blu-ray drive, I would get this instead:

MSI (GE60 ONC-i5185+) | *15.6-in. HD (1366x768) anti-glare LED backlight, i5-3210 2.5GHz, 08Gb, 500Gb, GT650M 2Gb GDDR5, DVDRW, DOS PhP 37,500.00
(Seller is PC Corner)

It's a little bit more expensive, but the performance difference is wide.  Already has Ivy Bridge and a good discrete video card (GT650M).

For me i still go with the AMD  route for the HTPC PQ of AMD GPU over Nvidia.  ^-^ ^-^ ^-^
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: ♡ lvcdg23™ ✌ on Nov 18, 2012 at 11:24 PM
For me i still go with the AMD  route for the HTPC PQ of AMD GPU over Nvidia.  ^-^ ^-^ ^-^


Eto sis ok ba?

http://shop.amd.com/us/Manufacturer/Acer/Detail/Notebook/NX.M0AAA.002 (http://shop.amd.com/us/Manufacturer/Acer/Detail/Notebook/NX.M0AAA.002)
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: Verbl Kint on Nov 19, 2012 at 12:22 AM
Eto sis ok ba?

http://shop.amd.com/us/Manufacturer/Acer/Detail/Notebook/NX.M0AAA.002 (http://shop.amd.com/us/Manufacturer/Acer/Detail/Notebook/NX.M0AAA.002)


The GT 650M is far more powerful than the built-in HD 7660.  The Core i5-3210 is also vastly superior to the A10.  There is a price difference, of course, but the MSI above can be sourced locally.

I don't know about HD picture quality, but I do not foresee any discernible difference in 1080p between the AMD and the Nvidia.  However, for resolutions above 1080p (ultra HD), the GT 650M is at a clear advantage.

Is there any review/article out there which shows the GT 650 as having inferior PQ to the lower-spec'd HD 7660?

Btw, there have also been reliability concerns with Acer laptops but YMMV.
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: Stagea on Nov 20, 2012 at 06:52 AM
I don't know about HD picture quality, but I do not foresee any discernible difference in 1080p between the AMD and the Nvidia.  However, for resolutions above 1080p (ultra HD), the GT 650M is at a clear advantage.

There is a noticeable difference between them with video if you are aware of what to look for. Noise management is quite a bit worse for Nvidias, and if you happen to play interlaced videos (1080i, 480i, etc.) then you'd see poorer hardware deinterlacing with Nvidia solutions. You can run some video benches if you want to.

AMD's hardware video decoding is plenty close to the quality of a good software decoder. Nvidia has improved a lot recently, but is still behind AMD. The gap especially widens when you start using the digital vibrance and dynamic contrast controls.

Though these are last generation boards, it would give you a good idea of the difference in deinterlacing quality:
(http://images.anandtech.com/doci/4380/ship_anno_520.png)
(http://images.anandtech.com/doci/4380/ship_anno_6570.png)

Here's the difference in noise management and color rendition after filters (progressive scan video):
(http://images.anandtech.com/galleries/1150/sshot-3_575px.png)
(http://images.anandtech.com/galleries/1153/sshot-7_575px.png)

That being said, Nvidia's solutions are still better than most consumer-grade dedicated players.

Intel actually does better than Nvidia when it comes to video handling. The HD 4000 equipped Intel processors are good enough to compete with Trinity for video playback. Here's a screenshot:
(http://images.anandtech.com/galleries/1896/sshot-62_575px.png)
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: ≧◉◡◉≦xrampage≧◉◡◉≦ on Nov 20, 2012 at 08:05 AM
As they said Nvidia for games and AMD for videos.  ^-^ ^-^ ^-^
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: Jerkerly Tang on Nov 20, 2012 at 10:17 AM
I'm using an Acer i5 laptop for both music and watching Hd movies.Quality is awesome and its just P32k
Just use Kmplayer for Hd watching and not Vlc

For Bd purposes its the best if you'll get separate bd player or a usb powered bd player and you can use your extra P8k for that and can be easily detach to your laptop if your not watching bluray so that your regular dvd drive is still there on your laptop for standard cd purposes,sayang naman if you'll use your bd player for audio cd right?

For me this is the best route imho
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: Stagea on Dec 05, 2012 at 05:34 AM
For low cost 1080p 2D playback, the Acer Aspire V5-431 (V5-431-887B2G50M) sells for 14,700 at PC Options. At that price, you get a low voltage sandy bridge computer with built-in ups, screen, controls, optical drive, wireless adapter, webcam, usb 3.0, etc. in a slim and portable form factor. It's impossibly hard to self-build a desktop with the same functionality at this cost. The low voltage parts and 17W TDP processor would be a boon to those who keep their computers on -- you get significantly more performance (upto 58% better cpu performance; upto 150% better memory bandwidth) than Zacate (e-240/300/350/e450, e1-1200, e2-1800) while wasting less power.

It's nowhere near the best computer, but it's "good enough" at a very low price. It comes in silver and blue.

(http://www.notebookcheck.net/uploads/tx_nbc2/acerV5_silver_.jpg)
(http://www.notebookcheck.net/uploads/tx_nbc2/acerV5_silver__1.jpg)
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: ≧◉◡◉≦xrampage≧◉◡◉≦ on Dec 05, 2012 at 10:12 AM
For low cost 1080p 2D playback, the Acer Aspire V5-431 (V5-431-887B2G50M) sells for 14,700 at PC Options. At that price, you get a low voltage sandy bridge computer with built-in ups, screen, controls, optical drive, wireless adapter, webcam, usb 3.0, etc. in a slim and portable form factor. It's impossibly hard to self-build a desktop with the same functionality at this cost. The low voltage parts and 17W TDP processor would be a boon to those who keep their computers on -- you get significantly more performance (upto 58% better cpu performance; upto 150% better memory bandwidth) than Zacate (e-240/300/350/e450, e1-1200, e2-1800) while wasting less power.

It's nowhere near the best computer, but it's "good enough" at a very low price. It comes in silver and blue.

(http://www.notebookcheck.net/uploads/tx_nbc2/acerV5_silver_.jpg)
(http://www.notebookcheck.net/uploads/tx_nbc2/acerV5_silver__1.jpg)

If your not OC on PQ puwede na yan kasi intel HDMA lang yung gpu niyan and make sure na di matataas na bitrate ng videos ang iplay baka di kayanin.
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: Verbl Kint on Dec 05, 2012 at 10:16 AM
And you will really like that ultrabook look and feel. :)

Didn't know this was already under 15k.  Good find.
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: Stagea on Dec 05, 2012 at 12:56 PM
If your not OC on PQ puwede na yan kasi intel HDMA lang yung gpu niyan and make sure na di matataas na bitrate ng videos ang iplay baka di kayanin.

Sandy Bridge (Intel) is comparable to Fermi (Nvidia) in video image quality. It's a step behind current generation GPUs in picture quality, but it's still a big improvement over mass-market standalone players.

And you will really like that ultrabook look and feel. :)

Didn't know this was already under 15k.  Good find.

Thanks. Yes, I was surprised that it's selling for that low. Margins must be razor-thin for this device.

Power consumption is NMT-like at 8W idle / 26W load based on a web review (take note that this consumption is with the screen brightness up... with it off, expect much less).

WEI results:
Processor: 5.1
Memory: 5.9
Graphics: 4.5
Gaming Graphics: 5.6
Primary Hard Disk: 5.9
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: DTNS on Dec 06, 2012 at 09:41 PM
I use my MSI GE620DX has an htpc. (I use BS Player  ;))  it works pretty well. :)  I wish it had Full HD resolution though. you'd be hard-pressed to find a Full HD laptop at 40k. try to stretch your budget to 50+k. check out the MSI GE70 (17" Full HD GTX660M) and the Lenovo Y580 (15" Full HD GTX660M)  ;D
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: Flipzo on Feb 28, 2013 at 03:25 AM
I have an Asus G74SX, it comes with a Bluray Drive and no problems with Bluray Movies.  I believe you can get a second hand for 40K.  The only disadvantage is it's very thick compared to other laptops..
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: DTNS on Feb 28, 2013 at 09:44 PM
add 7500 to your 40k budget so you could get this: ;)
http://www.pccorner.com.ph/products.do?action=showproductdetail&categoryid=57&productid=6107 (http://www.pccorner.com.ph/products.do?action=showproductdetail&categoryid=57&productid=6107)
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: bahaghari on Mar 01, 2013 at 02:40 PM
hi goodafternoon mga guru... mag ask lang sana ako... ill be buying a laptop.. my masusugest po ba kayo na best buy worth 25k-30k.. hindi naman po ako ganun ka oc.. laptop for all purposes sana.. simple gaming and watching downloaded movies... i am eyeing on acer v5-551g-84556g75mass or acer tmp243-53212g75m.. your suggestions will be truly appreciated.. TIA ;)
Title: Re: Recommend Home Theater Laptop
Post by: Stagea on May 07, 2013 at 11:02 AM
laptop for all purposes sana.. simple gaming and watching downloaded movies... i am eyeing on acer v5-551g-84556g75mass or acer tmp243-53212g75m.. your suggestions will be truly appreciated.. TIA ;)

Super late reply: The V5-551G-84556G75MASS is a very well-equipped notebook for <30k. You get a slim profile, a full-sized keyboard, decent performance and a good-sized screen.

(http://programming4.us/image/032013/Acer%20Aspire%20V5-551G%20Review%20%E2%80%93%20Laptop%20Using%20AMD%20Trinity%204%20Quad-Core%20Chip_3.jpg)