~VX2S Owners' Lounge~

Yikes, you're right. Funny thing is the UK website has a BluRay player listed... http://uk.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=5&l2=25&l3=309&l4=0&model=1782&modelmenu=2

 

It're entirely possible that there are different contracts with different vendors for regional distribution.

HD DVD may be for NA while BluRay is across the pond.

 

Which is still quite odd because BluRay movies are selling better in the US (2 to 1) whereas in Europe HD-DVD are outselling BluRay

Well at least Europe gets the BluRay version

BTW. everywhere seems to be sold out in the UK. Some shops are saying they'll get them in for end of the month, anyone know anywhere that has stock?

 

I've heard those same DVD stats, but the media war isn't being fought by the consumer - it's being waged by the distributor.

State-side DVD sales are better for BluRay thanks to the movie-studios who've signed contracts. Something like 76 of the top 100 grossing movies of all time are on BluRay, while HD-dvd lags behind wiht 21 (the remeining movies are on neither)

Content drives consumption, but price will dominate the vendor wars.

 

The HD-DVD version is also on sale in the UK under the model number ASUS VX2S-AK003G
found this on google. http://www.morecomputers.co.uk/extra.asp?pn=VX2S-AK003G&referer=Froogle
so Asus seems to be selling both blu-ray and HD-DVD versions at least in U/Europe.....if you can get them.

JC

 

Seems a little strange. I just got my VX2S on Thursday (in the UK) and I got the BluRay. One thing I noticed when ordering was that many vendors were a little vague over the exact specs of the system - which is why I went through asuslaptop.co.uk - who were confident about what they were supplying (I wanted the black version with docking station). Some are even listed with a regular DVD burner - at the same price!

They told me the first batch of units has nearly sold out so perhaps the next batch will come with HDDVD? Makes it a bit of a gamble though!

 

congratulations on getting your vx2s, could you do me a favor, in a slightly darkened room if you have a look at your carbon fiber lid, could you see tiny pixels of light shining though the lid?(with the LCD on obviously) I noticed this yesterday, there are only 5-6 pixels and they seem to be in a regular pattern, I think it must be from when the lid is made, I wondered if Asus's no bright dot guarantee covers the back of the LCD.

JC

 

that is weird ! the asus product list sheet here states that the drive is BD, not HDDVD

 

I finally got mine VX2S, everything seems fine except gaming... I get constant crashes and sometimes the notebook turns it off by itself! (gaming)

I have updated DirectX to 9.0c and installed latest nvidia driver from ASUS website, still same problem.

Any idea how to fix the problem? I play CS:source and Warhammer 40k, this notebook is more than enough to run those games without any problems.


Here is some pics of the notebook that I've taken:
http://www.prisjakt.nu/produkt.php?g=196105

 

Have just been advised that it will not be available in Sydney before 04 Septemeber !!

 

Just checked the laptop in a dark room and I also have a number of dots of light showing though the carbon fiber lid. It does look like it's part of the manufacturing process since mine are also in a regular pattern.

 

I take it you removed Vista and reinstalled Windows XP then? Did you make sure to update other drivers, sound, motherboard etc? Get the latest Service Pack + updates etc?

Also does nVidia use separate drivers for their desktop and mobile product? If so did you make sure you got the mobile graphics driver?

Patch up the games you play?

 

Have you tried drivers from http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/drivers/vista
I am using 163.11,(just a little reminder: you have to use the mod INf file) and had no problems with warhammer 40k,

you could also try to run 3dmarks 2006, this is a good work out for your GPU and see what happens....does it crash? what score do you get?

Jc

 

Thanks, that makes me feel a lot better. I thought I had a special VX2s for a while...

JC

 

Mine is on its way, just got a message from the reseller.

Is it possible to reinstall XP on that thing (at least have 2 partitions, XP and vista) ? Where to find the drivers ?

 

Just ordered mine, should be here hopefully Wednesday. Can't wait

 

Yep, I think someone on this forum has actually done it.

If you just want XP then simply format the entire drive, and install XP from fresh.

If you want to dual boot Vista and XP, this is much easier to do if XP is on the computer first, then when you go to install Vista (on a separate partition) it'll detect XP and set up boot file etc. for you. So again, best off installing everything from stratch. Dunno if there's a way to get XP on 'after' Vista.

Alternatively (unless you plan to play games), you could set a virtualised instance of XP that runs on top of Vista. This laptop uses the T7XX series Intel Core 2 processor that has hardware accelerated Virtualisation IIRC. This is what I plan to do.

You should be able to find XP drivers on Asus site AFAIK.

 

to everybody that bought this laptop: can you report the exact model number and the price associated?

I'm interested in model VX2S-AK027G with blu-ray & docking station. can you tell me approssimatively the price I can find it?

@ Sunday Ironfoot: can you explain me this function you speak about? "This laptop uses the T7XX series Intel Core 2 processor that has hardware accelerated Virtualisation IIRC."

thanks

 

Hello

just got mine (France - AK027G)

includes blu-ray, docking station, TPM, and a very high quality packaging and a lot of nice stuff (leather lambo mouse pad for example)

build quality seems correct compared to my V6V (greatest asus notebook)

I'm just discovering that vista thing (grin), it's butiful but I already rebooted 10 times, because of explorer freezin or other stuff like that.

more later if I have time

 

If you want to run virtualisation software (such as Virtual PC 2007 or VM Ware) that lets you run an OS on top of another OS, you can take advantage of intel Virtualisation technology.

Not sure of the exact name or how it works, except when running a virtual OS instance, it tends to run slower because everythings is being emulated. Some Intel processors such as the T7XX series have special hardware (extra instructions?) that can make Virtualisation Softwar run faster.

Here's a list of laptop processors that support it http://www.intel.com/products/processor/core2duo/specifications.htm (click 'View laptop processor specifications')

This wiki has more info on hardware virtualisation --> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X86_virtualization

 

No, I use the preinstalled Vista Ultimate and I have updated all my games to latest patches.

Thanks mate, those drivers seems much better, so far no crash. I got the score:1995 in 3dMark my average fps was 10-15. It did not crash on 3dmark.

Yesterday I noticed something strange on CS:Source. Some corruption occured on the screen, all textures were messed up. But it became normal after I reconnected to server. Also when I crank up the gfx settings to max textures become very unstable. I called ASUS about this and they told this is normal because those settings are very demanding for my system!

I'm gonna continue to test it more with games and get the pro version of 3dmark with loop function and run some punishing tests.

On my earlier driver I received this annoying message when games crashed:
"Display driver nvlddmkm stopped responding, but has succesfully recovered"

 

I hope you meant you get 2995 in 3dmarks06, as 1995 is very low. (I get 3050, at default resolution in 3D06 with no over clocking with 162.18 drivers).
If 1995 is your score, you need to check the laptop is set to max performance on the power settings, and you need to run 3d06 straight after a restart with all other programmes shut down.(IE, BTtorrent, firefox etc, but leave your anti-virus on ). hope this helps

JC

 

so this kind of function let Virtualisation Software run faster. are you sure that this improvment make a virtual OS instance faster than a NON-virtual OS instance?

still waiting for your model & price

 

Sorry I it was 2995 just like you said not 1995. I ran 3dmark06 Pro on auto-loop yesterday and it crashed

Afterwards it crashed several times:
"Display driver nvlddmkm stopped responding, but has succesfully recovered"

There is a thread on nvidia about this problem but it's 300+ pages... I'm considering to return this laptop if this annoying problem can't be fixed.

 

that's strange, I have used 163.11 and 162.18 drivers, and I have been playing warhammer, and running 3d06, it has never crashed since I got it. you could try the above drivers or even older drivers ie.158.XX that's been out longer, I don't think there is a big difference in performance. could also try CCcleaner to fix some of the registry errors.

JC

 

No, a virtualised (guest) OS will never run faster than a real (host) OS. The hardware vitualisation just makes the guest OS run slightly faster than it normally would.

Mine should be arriving today

 

ok, I see. thanks for your explanation

now, what model are you waiting for? how much did you pay it?

 

Hi,

do you know why are there 15 MB and 30 Mb files available ? whot is it one must do with the inf file ?

Thanx

 

I don't why the diffrence between the size of the drivers. but you can tell which ones to test first by looking at the number of downloads and user comments for each driver.

Jc

 

Ok, can you tell shortly what one must do with the inf file you mentionned ?

Edit : I RTFM on the site, it's just a matter of replacing a file.

Regarding the size, it seems like 30 mb ones are international, 15 mb are not

 

For your information,

I have tried with the drivers 162.50 and 162.18 from the above page. Works well, and you can still overclock (or underclock for improved battery life) the 8600M graphics chip using RivaTuner.

RivaTuner that I also use to create a 840x525 resolution to get smoother gaming in hungry games: this half-the-native-size smaller resolution is upscaled to 1680x1050 and games like Stalker will still look good, with the correct ratio, while being smoother as less info needs to be accelerated by the chip. It also works with other 16:10 custom resolutions like 1024x640, 1280x800, ...

Only one problem: even if these drivers are WHQL ones, I couldn't play Blu-ray Discs anymore with the included version of WinDVD or Powerdvd Ultra. Probably an HDCP issue. Using AnyDVD didn't fix it either.
I had to go back to the drivers provided by Asus on their VX2S download page. It's probably possible to tweak the Modded INF or create one that works though... just didn't try as I'm still discovering the machine.

Hope this helps, especially the RivaTuner bit for those who didn't know this trick

Oxyd
(who forgot to say he got his this week )

 

If anyone ever opens her up for a new stick of RAM, please take a picture? I heard rumours this is a MXM notebook and I'd like to know for sure..

 

Does this work with Vista (especially for overclocking)? I tried ATITool 0.27beta2 but had no luck (not compatible with Vista). I want to try overclocking the graphics card on this.

 

I thought ATITool was only for ATI video cards, so it wouldn't work even on win xp! RivaTuner works fine with both ATI or nVidia cards, so you can try use that. If your OC is stable you must also check it to verify that you have no artifacts. to my personal experience a notebook can reach only a 10-15% improvement for frequency,that means some points more in benchmarks. In gaming I don't think you can see many differences! so it's useless to stress the notebook more than the default condition

It seems like you guys have a problem to tell me the model number & price of your laptop

 

ATITool does work for nVidia cards as well, in fact I read some benchmarks on an overclocked 8600m gt in an Inspiron 1520, and the person said to use ATITool but that it didn't work on Vista.

RivaTuner doesn't work either, keeps resetting the clock speeds back to their defaults (ATITool was doing the same thing), it's like there's something somewhere thats keeping the clock speeds fixed at 475/400 core/memory.

Anyone managed to overclock their 8600m gt in Vista?

 

Strange you can't get BluRay disks working. I'm using the latest beta drivers available on nVidia's site (163.44), the one's meant for BioShock, and BluRay movies seem to be working fine. Well I have only tried one (Casino Royale).

Try the 163.44 see if they work. What error message do you get if any?

 

I think it's either the VX2S-AK001G or VX2S-AK002G. It's the yellow one, I actually ordered the black one but received the yellow one instead for some reason. But I think the colour looks cool so have decided to keep it.

Bought it for £1700 from LaptopsDirect (actually £1760 inc. P&P and CC surcharge).

 

thank you!

so neither RivaTuner works on Vista. but do you know if RivaTuner or ATItool (I didn't know it works fine with nvnidia too) run on xp? If I buy this notebook, I think I will install xp. It's incredible the fact that Vista "sucks" up to 800mb of ram at start & normal use! and it's incredible that V1jp with Vista was slower (not in test, I have not tried that, but in normal use, quite slow to respond) than my old Ferrari 3200!! I had 1GB of ram & 60gb 7200rpm HD, but I think it doesn't matters! V1jp is potentially better & better

 

Hello

just installed the windvd package provided with the machine for bluray, it works (with dvd I have no BR) but most configuration options are greyed out and can't be modified. Do you have the same problem ?

 

Some driver series prevent overclocking; I think that the 162.xx do that. Rivatuner should work with a different driver.

 

VX2S-AK001G from AsusLaptop - didn't get the best price though: £1782.48

 

Hi

I face several usage problems after some time :
- I have a blu-ray disc but still could not get it played (using the provided windvd for asus) : i can see the disc on the machine, browse the content, but when I press play on windvd, nothing happens (of course I checked with regular DVD)
- I can't change most configuration options of this windvd : nearly all of them are greyed out
- I dunno how to get the spdif work : is a an optical plug burried behind the jack or a regular spdif jack ?

any help would be appreciated

 

Have you tried updating the drivers? I'm using v163.44 (BioShock one's) and BluRay movies are working fine.

Are you trying to play the movie on an external display instead of the laptop display?

Is your BluRay movie for the correct region for where you live? Not sure how regions are setup on BluRay movies, or if they even used.

When you insert the BluRay movie, does WinDVD try to load it?

As for the options grayed out, I have that problem on mine, either they're not relavent for what you using at the time (surround sound options on the laptop etc.) or because the software is a cut down version and need to buy full thing to enable additional functionality. I think it's probably the latter.

The SP/Dif is a regular electrical based digital cable (not light based optical).

 

Thanx for those anwers. Mine :
- i'm using 163.11 (where can I find the "bioshock" ones ?)
- i assume it's of the right region
- windvd loads, yes, but when I start reading the thing, I don't get anything

As for the grayed options, that's a pain, because some are useful (sound options, etc)

 

Kador, no offense or anything, abut don't use WinDVD, the 2 best media players are VLC it will play everything! Including BD and HD DVD.

Also use Klight Audio Codecs (google it). From this pack you will get Windows Media Player Classics, install that too, I use that as a backup player if i don't feel like using VLC. But Classics won't play BD and HD DVD.

As for your SPDIF, basicaly that port is ur headphone jack, so you have serveral options on how you will want to connect it to your speaker system. You can get a Y audio cable and then plug it into your speakers. You get a SPDIF cable and connect it to your receiver.

Y Audio Cable

Use Full Thread Regarding SPIDF

What I gatthered from reading (10 mins) you will needa 3.5mm (goes into your laptop), optical cable, or a mono coaxial cable. However people state not all 5.1 speakers work, unless you use the optical cable set up that one of the posters mentioned at the bottom.

One of them stated, he went to Walmart, (they have a return policy), and you can buy a couple of cables and try them and keep the one that works perfectly. Hope this helps.

 

Hello milestone, thanx for your answers

Actually I don't use at all windvd at home, I'm more into zoom player/ffdshow configurations. I installed windvd on this lappy because I thought that other players / navigators can't read BRDs.

Regarding codec packs, I just don't like those, I preferer choosing ans installing what I need.

As for the spdif, Y audio cable (I hava zillions at home) is for analog audio, I just want to plug the vx2s into my receiver using coax (I guess that transforming an electrical signal into optical means a more expensive connector).

Walmart ... I'm in France, this empire has not touched us yet ;-)

 

Just wondering again : the G1S spdif is optical, not coax, and while looking at it I'm not sure if that damn thing is optical or not. Anyone did manage to get digital signal out, so that we can be sure.

I found a site who states that many ASUS combo headphones/spdif are actually optical for the spdif part of it. One should then use that sort of adapter :

 

the digital SPDIF signal is optical. you can test if it's working by enabling digital output and plugging in a TOSlink cable with an optical minijack adapter. You should see a red light if you look at the other end of the cable.

 

Thanx djembe, that's exactly the information I needed !!! dunno how to activate it though because I can't find any seting for that.

Regarding playing the BD, as far as I know VLC can't do it either, no ?

 

Well, I don't know about Vista, but in XP you can enable or disable digital output via a program called "Realtek Sound Manager". There's probably a Vista counterpart, but I'm not sure what it is.