[nzlug] Specs for Laptop as Home Theatre

[Daniel Pittman]

Roderick Aldridge <rod-a at hnpl.net> writes:

> I plan to get a Linux-friendly laptop for general use. I would also like to
> get a good LCD screen to use with it when I am at home which would be capable
> of displaying Free-to-Air Digital TV and Blue-ray DVDs in true HDTV/Blue-ray
> resolution. 

Your biggest problem is likely to be getting an LCD panel that a
stand-alone Blue-ray DVD player[1] will actually be willing to output
full HD-TV resolution to.

The DRM requirements are very, very strict, so even the presence of an
HDMI connector was not sufficient in all cases last year.  It may still
be the case, but I have not checked.

> I don't want to fork out for an HDTV as well. I have been Googling to
> find out what the minimum hardware requirements are and what would be
> the best hardware combination to do this, but I haven't found the
> right queries to get the answers i need. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hdtv

> The resolution required seems to be 1920x1080.  

Correct.

> Can anybody supply answers or point me in the right direction so that
> I can make a short-list of suitable hardware?  Then all I will have to
> do is make sure it is Linux-compatible and come up with the cash.  

Not just Linux compatible: if you intend to play HD content through it
you *also* need to make sure it is "HD DRM" compatible, which really
sucks.

Most computer stuff isn't, because it can't be locked down tight enough
for the vendors to approve.

Oh, and I don't believe there is yet any Linux playback capabilities for
and HD/Blue-ray DVD content at this time -- though I have not looked
closely yet, I confess.


Anyway, if you do buy something make *sure* you can return it when it
turns out to be incompatible with the other high definition equipment
you have to use it with.

Regards,
        Daniel

Footnotes: 
[1]  ...or a software player either, last time I checked.