Thanks Alex for pointing that adk is delivering overseas. I did not noticed it. Anyway, not sure adk is "affordable" for a non-professionnal like me. I would prefer to go for a cheaper solution.
 
While i did not get any answer on this laptop, here are some information i grabbed into different forums about HP DV7, hoping it will help other people.

- sounds the first DV7 (1xxx) series are not running well audio firewire based, even when using the expresscard port with a TI chipset card inside. See discussion into:  http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Hardware/f … td-p/10066  and http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/11/1 … for-audio/ 
(pb ACPI ? pb shared IRQ ?). I have also noticed that some of these models were mounted with a DVD burner TSS corp, same brand than the DVD burner which created audio troubles in some DELLs. Same causes, same consequences ?

- because the DV7 2260 ef (second serie) sounds a good potential candidate with 2x500g0 running 7200tr/mn, one core duo running 1GHZ bus speed, 4G RAM, a video card with dedicated memory and no TSS corp  inside :-), i am perhaps going to make the big jump soon, buy it and will let you know ..

Cheers,

Stephan

Well, i am not sure to understand this last point i.e (the same chipset controls the Xpresscard bus).

After performing some research on the web, sounds to me that:
- the expresscard is (should be :-)) connected on the host side directly via a PCI-e lane, as shown in http://www.expresscard.org/web/site/ecu02.jsp. 
- the JMB38x chip is dealing with firewire I/O and various card format, but not expresscard, (see http://www.jmicron.com/JMB38X.html) , and is also connected to the host via a PCI-e lane. It does not exhibit any PCI-e lane in output

More on the PCI-e lanes : http://computer.howstuffworks.com/pci-express1.htm

My understanding is that it should be 2 differents and independant PCI-e lanes and hence JMicron chip should not have any influence on the expresscard flux. May someone confirm or infirm ? Am i missing something ?

Thanks

Stephan

Hi Stephan,
what you did is very appreciated and useful.

I am in the process to find the successor of my 4 years old Toshiba and find we are all exposed to some serious potential damages; the risk of buying a not working ( we're not even close to thinking to a "good working") laptop is very high.
I know, people offering professionally tuned laptops would be the most wise option, but unfortunately their prices make this solution a luxury that is available for too few of us.

So, trying to figure out how to benefit of the various powerful ( on paper and for a generic use) and good priced laptops is an activity which is keeping many of us busy.

I know I haven't been telling anything new and I don't know why I have been writing the obvious, the thing I wanted to tell you is: please go on with your test, the HP DV7 was the option I was considering as well...

thanks !
Luca

Hello all,

coming back with some testing results. My feeling are (very) mixed .

Testing is showing anyway results are not black or white. HP DV7 with RME Fireface 800 is actually working and might be an acceptable solution for some of us that are not looking for a high perf DAW. But as explained in many threads by Chris and others, this laptop is not designed to be a high performing DAW and it is clearly reflected in the tests results. 

You will also find some interesting information and debate into the following post: Cakewalk post on HP DV7

First of all, i have run into an acceptable configuration on the laptop by doing the following tuning (i am running Window 7 64 bits)

-> disable aero, run 16 bits color, loading latest graphic card driver
-> disable WIFI (it generates picks in DPC latency checker once it has been enabled at least once after boot)
-> within the BIOS, disable Power Saving on IEEE1394 and state C6, load the new HP BIOS F.41.   
-> install the latest FF800 beta firmware (3.016)   

Then i have struggle a lot with really weird behavior (very noisy sound even when reading simple 2 tracks) coming from Reaper x64 before understanding that Reaper 32 bits was running a loooot better with Win 7 64 bits. Tuning Reaper threads with "Real time" behavior is also a must. I am also using Ableton live and this guy is running OK without tuning. I have done the testing anyway on Reaper 32 bits. 

* With all RME channels outputs set in the RME Panels. 
-> record from scratch 16 audio tracks (44.1 khz)  from both ADAT input // with 128 buffer latency with no cracks-pops on the recording audio. 
-> cannot read / play all 128 samples 6 tracks with some few effects + 5 VSTI  => lot of crackles / pops. VSTI are NI instruments (2 * grand piano + 1 * electric piano + 2 * absynth) 
-> cannot read / play 1024 samples 6 tracks with effects + 5 VSTI not working => less than above but still lot of crackles / pops.

* With analog Channel 1-8 only set
-> cannot read/ play safely 128 / 256 samples 6 tracks with effects + 5 VSTI  => some very few but still crackles / pops
-> OK to play/ read crackles / pops free with 512 samples

* By removing totally input channels from RME fireface panel, i was able to play crackles free at 256 samples.

CPU perf did not raised above 40% in all the testing sequences. crackles and pops are happening when CPU is reaching 30% usage.

DPC latency checker is not showing any specific peak that could explain the cracks and pops.  With 128 samples tuning, DPC latency checker is exhibiting an average latency of 160 ?s and stay in the green area even when crackles / pops occured with low latency tuning.

Any explanation from DPC gurus here ?

I have perform the testing with the built-in IEE1394 port running the JMicron IEEE1394 chipset. I have a TI chipset based Expresscard but this card is exhibiting even worst perf than with the built-in port.

I think it is mainly due to the fact that this Expresscard is a combo  (2 IEEE FF 400 + one USB 2.0) and hence is adding a PCI to PCI bridge between the IEEE1394 controller and the cardbus PCI controller.
By the way, at least for the DV7 2260-ef, it is not true to say that the JMicron chipset is also controlling the Expresscard slot, that's not what the device config is showing.

In case someone had a try with a solid Expresscard 1394 TI based, i will be interested in knowing the results. 

Hope this helps.

Stephan

Hi Chris,

thanks for your answers.
- i am not getting error code readout on the RME panel while getting the pops. 
- yep i have tried by gradually limitating the bandwith, that's what i was trying to describe in my post ;-) (all RME channels / Analog 1-8 / Etc .. )
- Video card is an ATI HD 4650.

Sounds i have some good news anyway :-) . I have finally making it works to an acceptable level for me (44,1 kh, 48 samples, all FF800 channel configured, 50-60% CPU usage without pop and crackle, by using my external Expresscard 1394 combo with TI chipset inside (XIO 2200) and by using Ableton Live instead of Reaper.

So a big part of the issue sounds to be with Reaper that does not perform well enough with Windows 7 x64 at low latency. TI chipset tends to improve the global performance anyway.

I will try to come with more numbers in one week ot two for those who are interested.  Next step is to possibly better tune Reaper for W7.

Bottomline anyway is that i am going to buy one FF800 ;-) . With my testing, sounds HP DV7 + FF800 + Ableton +  external Expresscard is performing well enough for my personnal usage. In case i will need in the future a really pro and stable laptop DAW, i will go then for an ADK ...

Cheers and special thanks to Chris and Alex for their help.

Stephan