14. Using The Remote Control Inside Windows

When Windows XP is running, the LW60's remote control can do more than manage Windows Media Player or the PowerDVD program. Thanks to a helper utility, a single keystroke morphs this remote into an alternate pointing device. Thus, you can use the notebook to visit a Web site, ship the video output through the S-Video port to your TV set, then use the remote to surf the Internet while reclining on your sofa. Because the cursor is displayed on a TV set in this situation, it's automatically enlarged and marked with the character R (for remote).

HD-Audio Capabilities

The LW60 also offers another interesting feature. LG Electronics takes advantage of its so-called High Definition Audio compatible chip for audio playback, making it one of only a few such notebooks in today's marketplace so equipped. Intel supports HD-Audio in its 915GM and 915PM audio chipsets (among others). The LW60 Express also includes an on-board audio codec from C-Media that works with the Intel audio chipset to recognize automatically when an audio input or output device is attached to the notebook. This pops up a small notification window to alert users of device availability. This capability is known as a Smart Audio Jack.

The audio chip drive automatically recognizes any audio device as soon as it's attached to the LW60 Express.

It's also possible to reassign functions to individual audio jacks, a function called "jack retasking". For example, the loudspeaker jack could be redefined as another microphone jack, or those two jacks could have their definitions switched. You can even instruct the driver program to treat all three audio jacks as outputs, so you can hook up a 5.1 speaker system directly to the notebook. The 3-D audio configuration tool permits users to change equalizer settings for audio outputs, and change virtual positioning for individual loudspeakers in the listening area. The combined capabilities of the driver and the 3-D audio configuration software is pretty potent, and lets users tweak sound settings to meet exact individual preferences.

Among other things, the driver software includes a built-in sound mixer...

... and a sound effects processor as well.

The end result is a set of 3-D sound controls that is nearly unlimited. Using the optical digital output (SPDIF/TOSlink) the hi definition audio chip supports multichannel speaker rigs up to 7.1 channels, at bit rates of up to 96 kHz per channel.

The analog connection at the rear of the notebook includes a built-in digital optical output as well.

However, those who elect to use the virtual 7.1 Audio playback capabilities through a stereo loudspeaker rig must be ready to tolerate CPU utilization rates between 30 and 35 percent for that task alone!