Home Theatre System Using Laptops

Ben Falkon writes "This article takes a look at the possibility of turning a set of laptops into a home theater system. Considering Nelson Chang and the team at HP have had success with running projector party, I don't see why this is not possible. The only problem that I can see is that laptop speakers tend to be weak — then again, modern laptops are gradually being fitted with powerful speakers in these days, so that does not bother me much. A comprehensive discussion follows at the end of the article."

Comments

Because you can

[TBoon]

This clearly isn't done because it is in any way "better" than buying a cheapish sound system, but purely because of the geek-factor of building it. If you cant live with that, please apply for geek credentials, just so you can hand them in out the way out.

All I can say is "What are they smoking?"

[Fallen Kell]

... and can I have some?

/Paraphrase/ Modern day laptops are cost effective because they can be used as laptops when not in the grid \/Paraphrase/

What? TWELVE (12) MODERN DAY LAPTOPS are COST EFFECTIVE?!! Lets just give the benefit of the doubt that these are only the $800 variety and not the $2500 variety. For $9,600, you can buy an Integra DHC 9.9 pre-processor, a Emotiva MPS-2 multi-channel amplifier, and still have $6000 to buy speakers, and be under the cost of the 12 laptops. Not only that, but you will have all the same benefits and even more, since the pre-processor can accept HDMI v1.3, component, and composite video, and up-convert the video to 1080p to output all on a single HDMI connection to your TV, which means you can use other devices like stand-alone blu-ray, PS3, XBox360, etc., and connect to the system in HD (unlike the laptops). You also will have 200W power for 7 speakers, unlike the 5-10W for the 12 speakers from the laptops.

So again, what the heck are they smoking?

Re:Powerful Laptop Speakers?

[Fallingcow]

Also, I don't know about yours, but with mine "loud" = "distorted, tinny, and annoying". They're fine up to ~3/4 volume, but past that--assuming the sounds is cranked up in the software, too--they sound very, very bad.

Why, why, why?

[DogDude]

Why would ANYBODY think of using a laptop's speakers for sound? That's ridiculously stupid. Get a 1/8" audio cable from Wal-Mart for $1.99 and plug the computer into a real stereo. I've been doing it since SoundBlaster 1.0 was released. It's not any harder than plugging headphones into an iPod, for the love of christ. Guess, what, my laptop IS my home theater system. Has been for about a decade. I just have my $1.99 Wal-Mart wire running from my laptop to my amp.

As far as "surround sound goes", what a crock that is. So you have some stupid action flick that has an explosion that is behind you, and one that's in front. BIG DEAL. It still sounds like crap.

Here's my solution for a home theater system:
1. Plug audio cable from any crappy computer into any halfway decent stereo amp.
2. Enjoy.