thinkpad (with SPDIF and Dual-Link-DVI) as replacement for my W500 with dock [ Edited ]

[sschuchardt]

Hi All,

I'm using currently a Thinkpad W500 with Lenovo Advanced Minidock Dockingstation for R/T/W/Z Series and 30" monitor.

Since I have encountered performance leaks during last time I was looking for a new thinkpad, but I can't find any solution which provides SPDIF out (Im streaming DTS and Dolby Digital to external Decoder).

It seems all newer thinkpad and docking series does not have SPDIF out and I do not want to relay on additionl devices.

Does anyone knows something I have missed?

Will next series support SPDIF again?

regards, Steffen

[eos]

I gave up with display port to dual link DVI adapters as they dont work very well and fail often, and so had to scrap my dell 30" 3007 IPS panel.  I went out and bought a new dell 30" U3011 with displayport just becase the W520 and its doc dont support Dual link DVI.

Same story with the SPDIF, my old laptop had this, so I had to go out and buy a cheap USB to spdif converter, which doesnt sound great, but works.  Also the U3011 has built in 5.1 out though the USB hub connector.  However, the Dells hub does not work well with the doc - you have to plug the keyboard and mouse into the doc directly (which is a pain as my doc is far from my monitor) if you want nice stuff like to beable to wake up/unlock your notebook.

Personally,  I would recommend buying an equivalent Dell or Apple over the W520 any day.

[ColonelONeill]

I think DisplayPort was meant to be a single-port solution as it carries audio as well. I'd check the TV to have an SPDIF out or audio passthrough?

[sschuchardt]

yes - seems i have to switch to a mac, I own already a mini display to dual-link dvi adapter (my monitor does have dvi only - samsung 305t plus) and the spdif output works well as I have tested already, but i will miss the docking station and their benefits and have to deal with several cables everytime I want to take the mac book with me.

[sschuchardt]

@ColonelONeill - see http://www.lenovo.com/shop/americas/content/pdf/system_data/W520_tech_specs.pdf - displayport support 30" monitors and with a proper adapter you will be able to connect dual-link dvi, passthrough of audio wont work for me

[PeterTWJ]

Hi all

It would only be possible if Lenovo provides an option for high end gaming / pro sound card with multiple 3.5" jacks. Multimedia machines such as Dell, Alienware provides S/PDIF. 

If you need high quality sound, you may need this:

http://sg.store.creative.com/sound-blaster/sound-blaster-x-fi-surround-5-1-pro/1-20055.aspx

or

http://sg.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=237&subcategory=609&product=15167 (Pro)

Some high end external cards even provide Stereo Mix, which can be a good reason to get.

Hopefully, 2012 would be a better year for all of you! 

Peter
ThinkPad: W520 (4284-A99)

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Dolby Home Theater v4 (Essential/IdeaPad/ThinkPad)

http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/General-Discussion/Dolby-Home-Theater-v4-for-most-Lenovo-Laptops/td-p/62...

[ColonelONeill]

Ah I see. Too bad we can't have an UltraBay sound card.