Sony AR 290-G HDMI out

[Outbound44]

Hey all I just purchase a 290-G and I am having trouble using the HDMI output to get the picture displayed on my plasma. Has anyone done this yet? If so whats the trick?

I plugged the HDMI cable into the output on the laptop and the other end on the input to the plasma. I switch to the external input on the plasma and get a blank screen. I fooled around with the resolution on the laptop and still nothing.

HELP!

BILL

[mztik]

It might not help you, but I saw someone at Amazon who bought the AR290G as well and had the same problem.

Here's what he had to say:

Beautiful Unit with a Major Design Flaw
The VGN-AR290G is the top of Sony's line of media-oriented notebook computers complete with a Blu-Ray DVD recorder/player. It is beautifully finished and would be a great unit if it worked as expected. Unfortunately, it has a fatal, undocumented flaw. The vaunted Blu-Ray DVD player will absolutely not function if the computer is attached to a remote monitor/tv/projector. So despite the HDMI connectivity and the Sony's "Full HD 1080" resolution, you cannot play Blu-Ray discs through your HDTV. The only way you can watch Blu-Ray discs is on the unit's internal--though admittedly beautiful--17" screen. Nothing in the Sony's description or even the user's manual mentions this major problem. I had to find out by calling Sony's technical support. And this was all so hard to believe that I called back the next day to make sure I had received the correct info. I had.

So if you plan to use this computer to play Blu-Ray DVD on your big screen TV, forget it. Buy something else.

Link: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-VGN-AR290...8?ie=UTF8&s=pc

[Maximus]

The laptop does not have a HDCP enabled GFX card, so it cannot send encrypted AV data which is required for HDMI transport. Use the DVI port, if it has one, on dual screen mode with a DVI to HDMI converter, that should do the trick.

[mztik]

It's there any reason for it to have an HDMI (Out) port, when this model only graphics solution is an nVidia GeForce 7600GT without HDCP? Hmm..

I think you should've gone with Alienware with Blu-ray drives (for notebooks). Even though, I am VAIO owner.. I don't think Sony has great Blu-ray notebooks right now.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by mztik

It's there any reason for it to have an HDMI (Out) port, when this model only graphics solution is an nVidia GeForce 7600GT without HDCP? Hmm..

I think you should've gone with Alienware with Blu-ray drives (for notebooks). Even though, I am VAIO owner.. I don't think Sony has great Blu-ray notebooks right now.

Well you could transport unencrypted AV data such as Xvid and AC3, but that is still a bit of a weak reason.

[sakbarzad]

if you are trying to watch a blu-ray movie on the notebook you cant have the dual screen, press func. + f7 till u just see tv(hdmi) and then it should work fine but your notebook screen will be blank

[calgarymarc]

Originally Posted by Outbound44

Hey all I just purchase a 290-G and I am having trouble using the HDMI output to get the picture displayed on my plasma. Has anyone done this yet? If so whats the trick?

I plugged the HDMI cable into the output on the laptop and the other end on the input to the plasma. I switch to the external input on the plasma and get a blank screen. I fooled around with the resolution on the laptop and still nothing.

HELP!

BILL

Hey Bill, I am also a proud owner of the 290G Sony Notebook. I had the same problem trying to get the picture from the Notebook display to the TV display. Took me a little playing around with the functions to finally figure it out.

Once the HDMI cable is plugged into the computer and TV, simply change the display function (FUNC key + F7) until you see: TV - HDMI.

You won't be able to play the Blu-ray movie if you set the function to show on the computer and the TV at the same time.

I presume you were trying to do this through InterVideo WinDVD for BD?
Hope this helps.

[ddingle]

I have been trying to record on a BD-R with the Ar-294. It keeps indicated the disc is unsupported. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks

[burningheat3rd]

Fn + F7 will do it....