Need advice on a strong laptop for playing/ recording music / .wav files

I primarily use my laptop for music and enjoy making .wav files and hooking up to main stereo of house. I've been experimenting with my daughter's laptop but I had to buy a sound card that attaches to the laptop. Are there any good laptops out there with a good enough sound card available internally? On my desktop I had a similar problem and needed to upgrade sound card to get the "what U hear" option.

TheLexMachine wrote:
SlimJim77 wrote:
TheLexMachine wrote:
Entropy wrote:
Most newer laptops have pretty good playback quality, and also most have optical digital audio outputs if you have a surround receiver with digital in.
Recording is a different story. In general, almost no system will have good internal recording capability, even with an internal addon card. Recording is best done with an external device.
You are confusing TOSLINK optical ouputs with digital coax outputs which are what they normally put on multi-media desktops to provide digital audio output though some older desktops did have TOSLINK ports. There was a period of time several years ago when you might find TOSLINK on a high-end multi-media notebook but digital coax was the standard in those days and that has obviously been replaced by HDMI which carries both digital audio and video signals.
In my experience, when it comes to laptops, HDMI will produce no sound. I too have seen a handful of laptops that support TOSLINK in the form of a 3.5mm connector, and even the standard sqare connector(not common, however).
If you aren't getting sound from your HDMI port that means your digital audio output is incorrectly configured, the digital audio signal is not in a format that your HDTV or display can recognize (simply uncheck the Dolby Digital, DTS, or WMA Pro boxes in the properties panel for your digital audio output), or the port on your display doesn't accept digital audio or is set to use analog audio in the settings. If you look in your TV's manual or dig up the manual online, the specs page will tell you what digital audio formats it accepts if any. A lot of older HDTVs with HDMI, as well as a lot of the first monitors with it, didn't accept digital audio over HDMI because they were using repurposed DVI chipsets which could be modified for use with HDMI by swapping out the DVI connector with an HDMI jack due to the fact that HDMI shares it's base video protocols with DVI. All it takes is fifteen seconds to figure it out if you know what you're doing.
Ya, a mere few hours after I made that post, a friend hooked up his newer laptop to my TV via HDMI, and sure enough...there was sound. Me stands corrected.
Disclosure: Former BBY employee.

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I have continued to think about my problem.
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Need help to solve update querry for multiple records.

Could any of you please provide update querry for the following scenario.
Requiremnt:
1. Update the UNIQUE_ID of record ( same Identifier and Identifier_code
where END_Date is not null) with the UNIQUE_ID of the record (( same Identifier and Identifier_code
where END_Date is null).
2. If More than one NULL in END_date then update UNIQUE_ID with max(EFFective_Date) of UNIQUE_ID
Source data
UNIQUE_ID
Identifier
Identifier_code
EFFective_Date
END_Date
1
777
abc
2/14/2014 11:15
2/28/2014 9:00
1
777
abc
2/21/2014 9:00
3/7/2014 9:02
2
777
abc
2/28/2014 9:00
3/14/2014 9:02
2
777
abc
3/7/2014 9:02
3/14/2014 9:02
2
777
abc
3/14/2014 9:02
NULL
5
888
xyz
2/14/2014 11:15
2/28/2014 9:00
5
888
xyz
2/21/2014 9:00
3/7/2014 9:02
5
888
xyz
2/28/2014 9:00
3/14/2014 9:02
6
888
xyz
3/7/2014 9:02
NULL
7
888
xyz
3/14/2014 9:02
NULL
OutPUT .
UNIQUE_ID
Identifier
Identifier_code
EFFective_Date
END_Date
2
777
abc
2/14/2014 11:15
2/28/2014 9:00
2
777
abc
2/21/2014 9:00
3/7/2014 9:02
2
777
abc
2/28/2014 9:00
3/14/2014 9:02
2
777
abc
3/7/2014 9:02
3/14/2014 9:02
2
777
abc
3/14/2014 9:02
NULL
7
888
xyz
2/14/2014 11:15
2/28/2014 9:00
7
888
xyz
2/21/2014 9:00
3/7/2014 9:02
7
888
xyz
2/28/2014 9:00
3/14/2014 9:02
7
888
xyz
3/7/2014 9:02
NULL
7
888
xyz
3/14/2014 9:02
NULL
Thanks in advance.

Hi Vikash,
This query will not produce results as per requirement:
Try it with following data
Insert into @TempTABLE values (1,777,'abc','2/14/2014 11:15','3/14/2014 9:02')
Insert into @TempTABLE values (1,777,'abc','2/21/2014 9:00','3/14/2014 9:02')
Insert into @TempTABLE values (2,777,'abc','2/28/2014 9:00','3/14/2014 9:02')
Insert into @TempTABLE values (2,777,'abc','3/7/2014 9:02','3/14/2014 9:02')
Insert into @TempTABLE values (2,777,'abc','3/14/2014 9:02',NULL)
Insert into @TempTABLE values (5,888,'xyz','2/14/2014 11:15','3/14/2014 9:02')
Insert into @TempTABLE values (5,888,'xyz','2/21/2014 9:00','3/14/2014 9:02')
Insert into @TempTABLE values (5,888,'xyz','2/28/2014 9:00','3/14/2014 9:02')
Insert into @TempTABLE values (7,888,'xyz','3/7/2014 9:02',NULL)
Insert into @TempTABLE values (6,888,'xyz','3/14/2014 9:02',NULL)
as per the problem statement, all records having 888,'xyz' should be updated with 6 not 7 as max effective date is associated with 6 not 7.
Ashutosh
Nope.
can you check the original post first. It clearly states output as having 7 as id for all the records with 888,xyz
also your above posted sample data is different from original sample data as you've dates jumpled up for the records with ids 6 and 7
Please see the illustration for original sample data
--sample table for illustration
declare @t table
(UNIQUE_ID int,Identifier int,Identifier_code varchar(100),EFFective_Date datetime ,END_Date datetime)
--populate original sample data
INSERT @t ([UNIQUE_ID], [Identifier], [Identifier_code], [EFFective_Date], [END_Date]) VALUES (1, 777, N'abc', CAST(0x0000A2D200B964F0 AS DateTime), CAST(0x0000A2E0009450C0 AS DateTime))
INSERT @t ([UNIQUE_ID], [Identifier], [Identifier_code], [EFFective_Date], [END_Date]) VALUES (1, 777, N'abc', CAST(0x0000A2D9009450C0 AS DateTime), CAST(0x0000A2E70094DD60 AS DateTime))
INSERT @t ([UNIQUE_ID], [Identifier], [Identifier_code], [EFFective_Date], [END_Date]) VALUES (2, 777, N'abc', CAST(0x0000A2E0009450C0 AS DateTime), CAST(0x0000A2EE0094DD60 AS DateTime))
INSERT @t ([UNIQUE_ID], [Identifier], [Identifier_code], [EFFective_Date], [END_Date]) VALUES (2, 777, N'abc', CAST(0x0000A2E70094DD60 AS DateTime), CAST(0x0000A2EE0094DD60 AS DateTime))
INSERT @t ([UNIQUE_ID], [Identifier], [Identifier_code], [EFFective_Date], [END_Date]) VALUES (2, 777, N'abc', CAST(0x0000A2EE0094DD60 AS DateTime), NULL)
INSERT @t ([UNIQUE_ID], [Identifier], [Identifier_code], [EFFective_Date], [END_Date]) VALUES (5, 888, N'xyz', CAST(0x0000A2D200B964F0 AS DateTime), CAST(0x0000A2E0009450C0 AS DateTime))
INSERT @t ([UNIQUE_ID], [Identifier], [Identifier_code], [EFFective_Date], [END_Date]) VALUES (5, 888, N'xyz', CAST(0x0000A2D9009450C0 AS DateTime), CAST(0x0000A2E70094DD60 AS DateTime))
INSERT @t ([UNIQUE_ID], [Identifier], [Identifier_code], [EFFective_Date], [END_Date]) VALUES (5, 888, N'xyz', CAST(0x0000A2E0009450C0 AS DateTime), CAST(0x0000A2EE0094DD60 AS DateTime))
INSERT @t ([UNIQUE_ID], [Identifier], [Identifier_code], [EFFective_Date], [END_Date]) VALUES (6, 888, N'xyz', CAST(0x0000A2E70094DD60 AS DateTime), NULL)
INSERT @t ([UNIQUE_ID], [Identifier], [Identifier_code], [EFFective_Date], [END_Date]) VALUES (7, 888, N'xyz', CAST(0x0000A2EE0094DD60 AS DateTime), NULL)
--do the update
UPDATE t
SET UNIQUE_ID = MaxID
FROM
SELECT MAX(CASE WHEN END_DATE IS NULL THEN UNIQUE_ID END) OVER (PARTITION BY Identifier,Identifier_code) AS MaxID,UNIQUE_ID
FROM @t
)t
WHERE UNIQUE_ID <> MaxID
AND MaxID IS NOT NULL
--now check the output
SELECT * FROM @t
The output is as below
UNIQUE_ID Identifier Identifier_code EFFective_Date END_Date
2 777 abc 2014-02-14 11:15:00.000 2014-02-28 09:00:00.000
2 777 abc 2014-02-21 09:00:00.000 2014-03-07 09:02:00.000
2 777 abc 2014-02-28 09:00:00.000 2014-03-14 09:02:00.000
2 777 abc 2014-03-07 09:02:00.000 2014-03-14 09:02:00.000
2 777 abc 2014-03-14 09:02:00.000 NULL
7 888 xyz 2014-02-14 11:15:00.000 2014-02-28 09:00:00.000
7 888 xyz 2014-02-21 09:00:00.000 2014-03-07 09:02:00.000
7 888 xyz 2014-02-28 09:00:00.000 2014-03-14 09:02:00.000
7 888 xyz 2014-03-07 09:02:00.000 NULL
7 888 xyz 2014-03-14 09:02:00.000 NULL
Now compare it with original output and you'll find they're the same
UNIQUE_ID Identifier Identifier_code EFFective_Date END_Date
2 777 abc 2/14/2014 11:15 2/28/2014 9:00
2 777 abc 2/21/2014 9:00 3/7/2014 9:02
2 777 abc 2/28/2014 9:00 3/14/2014 9:02
2 777 abc 3/7/2014 9:02 3/14/2014 9:02
2 777 abc 3/14/2014 9:02 NULL
7 888 xyz 2/14/2014 11:15 2/28/2014 9:00
7 888 xyz 2/21/2014 9:00 3/7/2014 9:02
7 888 xyz 2/28/2014 9:00 3/14/2014 9:02
7 888 xyz 3/7/2014 9:02 NULL
7 888 xyz 3/14/2014 9:02 NULL
Please Mark This As Answer if it helps to solve the issue Visakh ---------------------------- http://visakhm.blogspot.com/ https://www.facebook.com/VmBlogs

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Here is a list of some of the best buys already sorted for 200-300 GB.
Different folks like different manufacturers. I have had my LaCie for 2 years. No problems. I like it for it's compact size and elegance.
Here are some good hints from Dr. Smoke on Backup and Recovery. Instead of Retropect, which I could never quite figure out, I use Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper.
Post back with further questions or comments.
Good luck.
cornelius
Message was edited by: cornelius

Need advice on Hardware & Disk Setup for Premiere Pro CS6

I am about to purchase a Mac Pro and after reading threads on hardware requirements & different disk setups I am still a little unsure which way to go. If someone could point me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.
Firstly this system will be used primarily for the following tasks: Editing AVCHD media (Sony HDR-XR550) and burning to disk with light editing, Creating Web Videos from AVCHD Media, editing images in Ps & Lr. This is strictly a hobby for me and I will also use the machice for some light AutoCad work.
The current system specs are as follows:
3.33GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon processor, 16GB (4x4GB) RAM, Bay 1: 1TB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s, Bay 2: 512GB SSD, Bay 3: 1TB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s, Bay 4: 1TB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s, ATI Radeon HD 5870 1GB, Two 18x SuperDrives.
My questions are:
1.     Reading the thread on Generic Guidelines for Disk Setup I plan to use the 4 Disk setup described. If I only have 1 SSD, should I make it C: D: E: or F:? My priority would be the editing speed rather than the exporting speed.
2.     If I can stretch my budget to include another SSD then again, should I make it C: D: E: or F:?
Thanks in advance for any advice.

Hi Harm (& Jim),
After much deliberation I agree with you and Jim. I am not sure what I was thinking!
I have decided to build my own machine based around your reccomendations in previous posts. Could you please look over the system specifications and offer any suggestions or comments?
Chassis
Lian Li PC-A77
$ 375.00
PSU
Corsair CMPSU-850AX Professional Series Gold AX850 PSU
$ 210.00
Motherboard
Asus P9x79 WS Motherboard
$ 469.00
CPU
Intel Core i7 3930K 3.2GHz CPU
$ 615.00
CPU cooler
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO Universal CPU Cooler
$ 40.00
RAM
G.Skill Ripjaws X F3-12800CL10Q-32GBXL 32GB (4x8GB) DDR3
$ 285.00
GPU
Gigabyte GV-N66TOC-2GD NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2048M
$ 319.00
Disk
SAMSUNG MMSASSD840P128 SAMSUNG 840 PRO SERIES 128GB SSD
$ 135.00
Disk
(3 of) Western Digital WD VelociRaptor 1TB 10,000RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s Hard Drives
Owned
Disk
(2 of) Western Digital WD Black WD2002FAEX 3.5" 2TB SATA 6.0Gb/s Hard Drives
$ 320.00
Burner
LG BH16NS40.AYBU10B LGE OEM BH16NS40 BLK BluRay Burner, 14xBD-R Read/ Write, 16xDVD+-R Read/ Write, SATA, Silt Play, M-Disc Support [BH16NS40.AYBU10B]
$ 88.00
TOTAL BUILD COST in Australian Dollars
$ 2856.00
I have a few questions if you would be kind enough to help.
Is the RAM specified compatible with the rest of my system?
Do you think the GPU is over spec? Could you recommend an alternative if so?
What would be the optimal disk configuration with the proposed disks? I would consider another WD Black if it would make a significant difference.
Do you have any other suggestions where this system could be improved whilst keeping the budget around the same value?
Many thanks,
Rich

Need advice on a strong laptop for playing/ recording music / .wav files

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