Sony VAIO Digital Studio PCV-RZ54G Desktop PC (3.2GHz, Pentium 4, 512MB RAM, 200GB Hard Drive, DVD-RW/DVD-ROM)

[Archived in Desktops, Digital Audio Players, Intel, Pentium 4, Products, Sony, Sony CE]

Manufacturer: Sony CE
Price at amazon.com: New from $1500.00

Product Description:

The Sony Vaio PCV-RZ54G is a full-fledged desktop PC--but it's also a television, a DVD player, an FM and Internet radio, and a personal video recorder. It's powered by the Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 operating system (compatible with cable, digital cable, satellite TV, and antenna), and it features a 3.2 GHz Pentium 4 processor (with Hyper Threading technology), extra-large 200 GB hard drive, and 512 MB of installed memory. For an even more powerful Media Center, you can step up to the Sony Vaio PCV-RZ56G with a 3.4 GHz Pentium 4 processor, a 250 GB hard drive, and 1 GB of installed RAM. The Basics Hard Drive: The massive 200 GB Ultra ATA/100 hard drive (7200 RPM) offers a wealth of storage for all your media storage--from digital audio to TV programs. Processor: The 3.2 GHz Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading technology (which allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system--see more in Tech Talk section below) is one of the fastest processors currently available on the market. It is well suited for high-performance gaming and professional-quality image, audio, and video editing. It also has A 512 KB L2 cache and an 800 MHz front-side bus (FSB). Memory: The PCV-RZ54G comes with a 512 MB built-in memory (2 x 256 MB DDR SDRAM, 400 MHz)--a decent amount for starters, but you'll want to add more to take full advantage of the capabilities of Windows XP Media Center. The motherboard has a maximum memory expansion of 2 GB. CD/DVD Drive: The PCV-RZ54G has two optical drives. The DVD-/+RW drive is compatible with both DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs as well as CD-RW. Both DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs write at 8x, rewrite at 4x, and read at 8x. You can record and rewrite CDs at 24x speed (and read them at 32x). It also features a 16x DVD-ROM drive. Keyboard & Mouse: It comes with a Vaio keyboard and optical mouse (PS/2). Sound and Graphics The supplied NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 video card has a 128 MB dedicated video memory and includes a TV-out connection. It also features DVI (digital visual interface) connectivity, which enables you to output a digital signal to compatible flat panel monitors. Sound is delivered via a Creative Sound Blaster Audigy audio card, which delivers high-quality 5.1 channels of digital surround sound. The newer Audigy 2 card has 24-bit, 96 Hz recording capability and is preferred for professional-quality audio recording. Connectivity and Expansion Slots The PCV-RZ54G has three PCI expansion slots (none available), one AGP (accelerated graphics port, occupied) slot and the following external ports: 7 USB 2.0 ports (3 in front, 4 in rear) for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players 2 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link; 1 4-pin in front and 1 6-pin in back) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals 1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice 1 VGA/DVI monitor port Multi-format memory card reader that is compatible with CompactFlash (Type I/II), MicroDrive, Memory Stick, and SmartMedia cards. This desktop features a Gigabit Ethernet network adapter, capable of transferring large amounts of data 10 times faster than 100Mbps Fast Ethernet. It also comes with a floppy disk drive and an integrated 56K modem (V.92). Preloaded System and Software The pre-installed Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 is essentially Windows XP Professional Edition with a variety of tools to help you to create, organize, and enjoy digital media ranging from music to home movies to photo slide shows. Additionally, it enables you to control your television with the included remote and record and pause programs (much like a DVR--or digital video recorder--such as TiVo or ReplayTV). You can even pause or rewind (up to 7 seconds) FM radio broadcasts. Record and watch your TV programs with the Personal Video Recorder powered by Giga Pocket Engine. With the pre-installed Click to DVD software, you can turn your digital photos into a slideshow and burn it to DVD. You can plug in your analog video source (camcorder or VCR) and transfer video to DVD, or store it on the hard drive as a digital file. Other preloaded software includes Adobe Premiere LE, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Sony Screenblast Acid, Sony Screenblast Sound Forge, Microsoft Works 7.0, Microsoft Office 2003 (60-day trial), InterVideo WinDVD, and Intuit Quicken 20042 New User Edition. Dimensions and Weight It measures 7.75 x 15 x 15.4 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 30.86 pounds. What's in the Box This package contains the Sony VAIO PCV-RZ54G Digital Studio PC, speakers (stereo) w/subwoofer, IR remote control and receiver, IR blaster, VAIO keyboard, and PS/2 optical mouse. Tech Talk Hyper-Threading: A Hyper-Threading processor helps a PC to run multiple demanding applications at the same time. This technology enables the processor to execute two threads (a part of a program) in parallel, boosting performance during key high-drain procedures. This results in more efficient software performance (such as faster reaction times in gaming applications) and enhanced multitasking. More About Microsoft Windows XP Media Center What sets this PC apart is that it is powered by Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004, which offers the features, reliability, and power of Windows XP Professional, plus advanced digital entertainment capabilities. The Media Center interface offers you more types of entertainment to enjoy: TV, Personal Video Recording (PVR), Movies, Music, Photos, Videos, Radio, and DVD. Use the remote control to enjoy from anywhere in your room. TV & Movies  Watch TV when and how you want, and never miss a moment of your favorite programs. Pause and rewind live TV. Record a TV episode, series, or category. Automatically record a personalized selection of TV programs using Keyword Record. Media Center downloads the latest program listings for you and even wakes up from power-saving standby mode to record programs, so you can watch shows on your schedule.    Photos & Video Easily edit your digital pictures and digital videos, and then launch a dynamic slideshow complete with animated transitions and your favorite soundtrack. While viewing a picture, zoom in to see more detail. You can rotate, correct red-eye, and print your pictures using the remote. Play slide-shows straight from digital storage devices.    Music & Radio  All your music is stored in one digital jukebox and using the remote, shuffle your entire music collection according to artist or genre or listen to your tunes through playlists that learn what you like. Tune in FM stations and pause live radio. Full-screen visualizations pulse to the beat of the music. Cool on-screen effects show music information, such as track title, track time, and artist.

Description from Manufacturer: The Sony Vaio PCV-RZ54G is a full-fledged desktop PC--but it's also a television, a DVD player, an FM and Internet radio, and a personal video recorder. It's powered by the Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 operating system (compatible with cable, digital cable, satellite TV, and antenna), and it features a 3.2 GHz Pentium 4 processor (with Hyper Threading technology), extra-large 200 GB hard drive, and 512 MB of installed memory. For an even more powerful Media Center, you can step up to the Sony Vaio PCV-RZ56G with a 3.4 GHz Pentium 4 processor, a 250 GB hard drive, and 1 GB of installed RAM.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The massive 200 GB Ultra ATA/100 hard drive (7200 RPM) offers a wealth of storage for all your media storage--from digital audio to TV programs.
• Processor: The 3.2 GHz Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading technology (which allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system--see more in Tech Talk section below) is one of the fastest processors currently available on the market. It is well suited for high-performance gaming and professional-quality image, audio, and video editing. It also has A 512 KB L2 cache and an 800 MHz front-side bus (FSB).
• Memory: The PCV-RZ54G comes with a 512 MB built-in memory (2 x 256 MB DDR SDRAM, 400 MHz)--a decent amount for starters, but you'll want to add more to take full advantage of the capabilities of Windows XP Media Center. The motherboard has a maximum memory expansion of 2 GB.
• CD/DVD Drive: The PCV-RZ54G has two optical drives. The DVD-/+RW drive is compatible with both DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs as well as CD-RW. Both DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs write at 8x, rewrite at 4x, and read at 8x. You can record and rewrite CDs at 24x speed (and read them at 32x). It also features a 16x DVD-ROM drive.
• Keyboard & Mouse: It comes with a Vaio keyboard and optical mouse (PS/2).

Sound and Graphics
The supplied NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 video card has a 128 MB dedicated video memory and includes a TV-out connection. It also features DVI (digital visual interface) connectivity, which enables you to output a digital signal to compatible flat panel monitors.

Sound is delivered via a Creative Sound Blaster Audigy audio card, which delivers high-quality 5.1 channels of digital surround sound. The newer Audigy 2 card has 24-bit, 96 Hz recording capability and is preferred for professional-quality audio recording.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The PCV-RZ54G has three PCI expansion slots (none available), one AGP (accelerated graphics port, occupied) slot and the following external ports:

• 7 USB 2.0 ports (3 in front, 4 in rear) for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 2 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link; 1 4-pin in front and 1 6-pin in back) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 VGA/DVI monitor port
• Multi-format memory card reader that is compatible with CompactFlash (Type I/II), MicroDrive, Memory Stick, and SmartMedia cards.

This desktop features a Gigabit Ethernet network adapter, capable of transferring large amounts of data 10 times faster than 100Mbps Fast Ethernet. It also comes with a floppy disk drive and an integrated 56K modem (V.92).

Preloaded System and Software
The pre-installed Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 is essentially Windows XP Professional Edition with a variety of tools to help you to create, organize, and enjoy digital media ranging from music to home movies to photo slide shows. Additionally, it enables you to control your television with the included remote and record and pause programs (much like a DVR--or digital video recorder--such as TiVo or ReplayTV). You can even pause or rewind (up to 7 seconds) FM radio broadcasts.

Record and watch your TV programs with the Personal Video Recorder powered by Giga Pocket Engine. With the pre-installed Click to DVD software, you can turn your digital photos into a slideshow and burn it to DVD. You can plug in your analog video source (camcorder or VCR) and transfer video to DVD, or store it on the hard drive as a digital file.

Other preloaded software includes Adobe Premiere LE, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Sony Screenblast Acid, Sony Screenblast Sound Forge, Microsoft Works 7.0, Microsoft Office 2003 (60-day trial), InterVideo WinDVD, and Intuit Quicken 20042 New User Edition.

Dimensions and Weight
It measures 7.75 x 15 x 15.4 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 30.86 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony VAIO PCV-RZ54G Digital Studio PC, speakers (stereo) w/subwoofer, IR remote control and receiver, IR blaster, VAIO keyboard, and PS/2 optical mouse.

Tech Talk
Hyper-Threading: A Hyper-Threading processor helps a PC to run multiple demanding applications at the same time. This technology enables the processor to execute two threads (a part of a program) in parallel, boosting performance during key high-drain procedures. This results in more efficient software performance (such as faster reaction times in gaming applications) and enhanced multitasking.

More About Microsoft Windows XP Media Center

What sets this PC apart is that it is powered by Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004, which offers the features, reliability, and power of Windows XP Professional, plus advanced digital entertainment capabilities. The Media Center interface offers you more types of entertainment to enjoy: TV, Personal Video Recording (PVR), Movies, Music, Photos, Videos, Radio, and DVD. Use the remote control to enjoy from anywhere in your room.

TV & Movies
Watch TV when and how you want, and never miss a moment of your favorite programs. Pause and rewind live TV. Record a TV episode, series, or category. Automatically record a personalized selection of TV programs using Keyword Record. Media Center downloads the latest program listings for you and even wakes up from power-saving standby mode to record programs, so you can watch shows on your schedule.
	Photos & Video
	Easily edit your digital pictures and digital videos, and then launch a dynamic slideshow complete with animated transitions and your favorite soundtrack. While viewing a picture, zoom in to see more detail. You can rotate, correct red-eye, and print your pictures using the remote. Play slide-shows straight from digital storage devices.
Music & Radio
All your music is stored in one digital jukebox and using the remote, shuffle your entire music collection according to artist or genre or listen to your tunes through playlists that learn what you like. Tune in FM stations and pause live radio. Full-screen visualizations pulse to the beat of the music. Cool on-screen effects show music information, such as track title, track time, and artist.

Average Customer Rating:

---

Comment: Watch out for this one! Rating:
My husband and I purchased one of these to do dv recording and to convert to and edit mpeg2 files. Each time we tried to play a video in mpeg2 format - and we tried with multiple files - it REBOOTED THE MACHINE! (XP was set to reboot after a fatal error - but even when this was turned off, we still got a fatal error). After we spent hours and hours on the phone with tech support, trying multiple solutions, they concluded it had a faulty video chipset. Needless to say, we returned the pc immediately and got our $$ back. Doesn't Sony do QA testing on a common format like mpeg2??? All I can say is, I hope not many of these machines came out of the box like this one!

---

Comment: Rz54G Gigabit Ethernet slow Rating:
I purchased the Sony VAIO RZ54G and like the machine for the most part. I noticed that my home network was very slow though. I found that the GIGABIT ETHERNET built into the SOny was configured for 10MB/s (1% of it's max rate). My network only supports 100MB/s so I figured it should easily handle 100MB/S if it can do 10 times that... right? Wrong. I worked with support for two days reconfiguring the system and trying every immaginable option in the ethernet controller. We tried to clean install and even had the mother board replaced but still no more than 10MB/s. I can plug in my old dell or my wife's laptop and connect at 100MB/s no problem. Sony washed their hands and said I can put in an aftermarket ethernet card if I want this work. That is not an acceptable solution in my mind. Not happy with their cutomer dis-service.

---

Comment: XP Media Center need improvement go with the RS series Rating:
I bought the RZ50CG custom configure with comprable specs as the RZ54G. Sent it back because even though it says it's a Gigapocket desktop, it is not. It runs on the Gigapocket engine, but with Windows XP Media Center. The difference is noticeable.

Gigapocket is exactly like having a TV, where you can adjust color by right clicking on the screen, input your video device via the composite or S-video cable and have Gigapocket detect it the same way it would if you plugged it into your TV and used the TV/Video select button to view your recordings.

XP Media Center doesn't allow you to do that. You have to go through and reconfigure your settings each time, and then reconfigure it back to be able to play your TV channels (cable).

The benefit with the RZ is that you get the 9600 ATI Radeo video card vs. the 9200 in the RS model. The other benefit of the RZ model is the 5.1 capable Soundblaster Audigy card. You can't get that in the RS, but you can always add it if you want to.

The RS is the way to go if you're looking for seamless video to DVD recording or playback.

If you're going to spend the money, make the investment to get 1gb of RAM.

Posted at November 11, 2003 07:43 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)