hooking up w3j to external lcd monitor?

it appears that the w3j does not have dvi connectibility:

1 x VGA port/Mini D-sub 15-pin for external monitor
1 x Headphone-out jack (SPDIF)
1 x Microphone-in jack
1 x RJ11 Modem jack for phone line
1 x RJ45 LAN Jack for LAN insert
3 x USB 2.0 ports, 1x IEEE 1394 port
1 x TV Out (S-Video composite)
1 x Express Card
1 x SIR-115.2Kbps supported
1 x Infrared Port

kinda strange, no? is there anyway to connect dvi to hook up external lcd monitor, an external port maybe?

or, is there another model with same-ish specs, + dvi?

 

well the W3J doesnt have DVI
but the ASUS A8J series has DVI. Im sure the A8JM model has them, not too sure about the other A8J* series.

they should have it.

 

W3J should come with a DVI connector, that is the spec from Asus....

Special Features: DVI-D output, 1.3MP Camera, Audio DJ and Gigabit Lan

Screen:15.4" WXGA (1280 x 800) (Color Shine)
CPU: Core Duo T2300 1.66GHz, 2MB Cache, 667FSB
Memory: 1024MB (1pc) with 1 open slot.
VGA: nVidia 7300TC 128MB
HDD: 100GB 5,400RPM
ODD: DVD+/-RW 8X Dual Layer
Wireless: 802.11A/B/G
LAN: 10/100/Gigabit Lan, Fax Modem
Battery: Li-ion 8 cell
OS: Windows XP Home
USB x4, 1394 x1, IrDA x1, S-Video x1, DVI-D x1.
Card Reader: MMC, SD, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro
Warranty: 1 Year Global
Optional Warranty: 3 Years total.

 

if im not mistaken i think you have quoted the specs for the A6JC

The W3J is a 14" Laptop with an ATI X1600 256mb video card. Check the W3J thread in the ASUS forums

 

yes, whatever model those specs are definitely not w3j.

it really boggles my mind that w3j does not have dvi, especially for a 14"! why is it that the a8jm, at a lower price, seems to have better specs than w3j? may be asus spent more $$$ on industrial design (and slick lookin thing it is!)

 

^ I think it has to do w/ the W3 chassis.

 

I concur. Every connection on the w3j has to fit on both sides since the battery sits in the back. I'm sure this inevitably led to some corners being cut.

 

uhm, the A8JM is no where near as good looking as the W3J.

the W3J is using an old and good looking, thin and light chasis.

The A8JM is a new chasis, unfortunately not super nice looking, but has DVI, as for the thickness.. well its 1.3/1.5" thick, the W3J, is a tad thinner, 1.3" at the back.

so yah, it all depends on what you want.

I say pay roughly 200$ more if you don't need DVI and get an awsome looking W3J.

Thanks,

MysticGolem

 

ya, i adore the w3j look too... unfortunately dvi is a must for me. i need to hook up to external lcd for proper photo n video editing real estate.

 

it should come with a vga-dvi adapter i think. might wanna check with one of the resellers to verify.

 

If it isn't included with the W3J, you should be able to pick one up from CompUSA, Microcenter, NewEgg, MWave, etc etc...

I don't know that Best Buy or Circuit City would carry em.

 

hmm... prolly another silly question, but would adapter effect performance, in comparison with straight hook up?

 

I don't think it should affect performance however you'll get VGA quality output, not DVI quality output. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong

 

thank you! that's exactly what i was trying to get at through my poor wording. in the end, an adapter will allow dvi to vga connection, but will also downgrade to vga quality. darn.

the a8j is looking better n better.

thanks for the info and advice guys!

 

Analog signal processing has improved to the point where major differences in image quality can be difficult to detect. Unless you're a pro photographer, a prepress professional, or someone else who needs superprecise, top-notch image quality, you should be fine using a CRT or an LCD on an analog signal.

Quoted from here.

http://www.cnet.com.au/desktops/monitors/0,39029422,39149796,00.htm

 

wish they would just can the VGA and put a DVI out instead.... then include an adapter for those who want vga

 

thanks for the article! with the "can be's" and "should be's" tho i am no so sure "prosumers" like myself would not notice. i imagine there would be some loss going from digital to analog back to digital again. what's also confusing to me is the paragraph above it that states otherwise:

When connected via an analog connection, an LCD is vulnerable to the same distortions that affect CRT monitors. However, when connected via a digital connection, often labeled DVI (for Digital Visual Interface), no digital-to-analog conversion is required, and there should be no loss or corruption of the signal.

i also found this post on another forum:

"Basically, your GPU "draws" the screen image in a digital fashion. For DVI this is digitally converted by a TMDS into a DVI compliant signal. There is little, if any, signal mangling or loss.

For a VGA signal, a RAMDAC (Digital to Analog Converter) processes this digital signal into an Analog signal and sends this info scurrying along in your cable to the LCD where a similar process is performed in reverse. The signal sent to the TFT IS AGAIN DIGITAL !!

So, imagine translating a page from English to French and then back to English. Perhaps a few nuances are lost, yes? Or perhaps more?

I have a Dell LCD with both sorts of inputs. The image produced from VGA is noticeably washed out and has far less contrast than if I use the DVI instead. Also, the DVI image is always centered nicely while VGA will sometimes be slightly off center.

There really is no comparison. Under no circumstances should you buy a VGA only LCD display."

in the end, considering that dvi is steadily replacing vga, it would have been wise on asur's part to have dvi not vga. just my opinion.

 

Couldn't agree more with you doodling. I think it's stupid of Asus to not include DVI. Like dmak said they could have just a DVI and include a DVI -> VGA adapter if someone need it. Hopefully they will release a docking station in the future that enables DVI (or maybe HDMI?). For $20k, you could expect more...

But hey, that's the only downside with the W3j. And if you must have DVI and Asus go for the A6Ja. Basically the same but 15.4" screen and ugly plastic design.

 

You paid $20,000 for your w3j? j/k . Seriously though, I went to DVI about a month ago and just as doodling mentioned, contrast imporved noticeably. Beyond that I didn't really notice anything. It is not the end of the world but like the rest here I wish it came with DVI (and adapter) instead of VGA.