VAIO replaces TIVO with a Digital Studio!
Written: Nov 14 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Perfect for digital video enthusiasts. Effectively replaces TIVO!
Cons: Software choices are questionable
The Bottom Line: If you're PC shopping and willing to pay for the top-of-the-line consumer model, I feel like this is the way to go.
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| unheimlich's Full Review: Sony Vaio PCV-RS430 (pcv-rs430g) PC Desktop |
I recently upgraded to Sony's new RS430G, and its an amazing machine. This desktop PC is super fast with a speedy Intel Pentium 4, 2.8 Ghz chip (with the new Hyper Threading Technology). It's got a HUGE 120 Gig hard drive, pre-partitioned and preloaded with lots of goodies. It's an ideal machine for DVD burning and television recording. That's right: the VAIO turns your PC into a TIVO.
Now, I've seen recordable TV software for PCs equipped with TV cards elsewhere. But here it's a snap because it's preloaded and preinstalled and everything's set up to go at the factory. It uses Sony's software called "Giga Pocket" to perform the actions and it accesses TV listings online to make it all a point-and-click affair. All you need is a cable to tap into your cable TV line (use a splitter you can pick up anywhere, like at Radio Shack). I've set up my machine to record a show I never got to watch because it airs at 4am. And every morning, I get to watch it! But it also goes beyond just being a VHS replacement; it does virtually everything a TIVO does, given enough a hard drive space to record. The ATI RADEON 9200 graphics card rocks and it has a TV and DVI output. You can also subsequently burn these TV shows onto DVDs with ease. Other video software includes "click-to-DVD" which makes everything drag and drop, from burning a DVD with home movies to recording MP3s onto a CD-R. The machine is preloaded with WINDOWS XP Home Edition and also features software like: DVgate Plus, PictureGear Studio, SonicStage, MS Money, MS Works, MS Age of Empires II.
The machine is also set up with jacks in the FRONT of the chassis to allow you to input all sorts of multimedia cards and devices: Compact Flash, Memory Sticks, video in and audio in RCA jacks, etc. And -- super sweet -- it has four USB jacks up front and three in the back...SEVEN USB PORTS!!! And it also features state of the art inputs for i.Link digital interfaces and the new digital video inputs.
Sony really knocked me dead with this outrageously cool machine. It's one of the top consumer-level models you can get and if you're willing to invest a grand in today's PC tech, this is the one to get. It's fast, quiet, and ready to go right out of the box!
The only drawbacks for me so far are:
1) the machine didn't include a monitor. For it's price, that's a letdown. Some stores are offering rebates if you buy one at the same time you get your VAIO. (I recommend getting a 15" flat panel from Sony...they compliment each other well!)
2) Microsoft Works is really nice for what it does, but I always feel cheated by it. I think Office should come on the machine instead. In for an ounce, out for a pound, I went ahead and bought MS Office to install, too. It runs remarkably well, and snappy, even with a complete install.
3) There is almost TOO MUCH DVD and CDR software on the machine. While the machine is built to sustain a digital recroding or video studio, not all of the burning software is necessary and it seems like a waste if I want to install my own versions. They should have put some of this money into MS Office or something.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1400
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Epinions.com ID:
unheimlich
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Location: USA
Reviews written: 75
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About Me:
Tattooed Everything.
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