Sony VAIO VGX-TP20E/B TP Living Room PC (Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 Processor, 2 GB RAM, 500 GB Hard Drive, Blu Ray Drive, Vista Premium) Black

Ok, I loved the design/form factor of this PC, among other things but you can see that on the pictures & the product specs so I'll focus on the things you CAN'T tell from the product description.

The included external tuner & antenna is in fact ATSC & NTSC, which means it supports digital & analog signals over the air. However, the VHF/UHF input port supports only analog signals, so you can't say good-bye 2 your set-top box.

Another thing, it does not include recovery discs 4 the operating system or device drivers. Instead there's a VAIO application that creates those discs BUT it does not support Dual Layer (DL) DVD's. The application gives you the option 2 use a DL DVD or 2 single-layer DVD's. Trust me, DL is not supported, at least not by the recovery application.

Also, it does include a slot 4 a security cable lock, a must-have in laptops & very nice 2 have on a small desktop like this one. However, it's located on the back of the unit in a position that makes it impossible 2 place the lock & connect the pc 2 a monitor at the same time, making it useless.

One other thing, just so you know, the wireles LAN antenna is screwed in counterclockwise, unlike every other connector on the pc (or any other connector in the world, 4 that matter).

I hope you find this review helpful, I don't regret the purchase, I do like this pc... a lot! But I think it's important 2 let everyone know of these details before they go ahead & get it.

If you know a little about computers, particularly audio & video drivers, then you will love this product!

I'm still in the process of trying 2 hook it up 2 my InFocus projector & Sony surround sound system ... but I'm an amature so hooking it up should be possible, but so far I've not be able 2 get sound through it yet ... but I'm persistent, so will keep trying different combinations till it works. There are no instructions on how 2 hook it up 2 a projector (but I guess that is normal).

What isn't normal though is it not coming with ANY instruction manuel or operating system back up disks. All it had was a small pamphlet on tv hook up & labeling some of the parts. Why no OS Back Up disks? Was this just an oversite, or does this not come with them?

I just checked the specs at the Sony website. The TP25 is described:

TV Tuner : High Definition digital cable tuner with CableCARD(tm)8, ATSC & NTSC support

And the price is $3000

I really like this product in every way but one.

I bought it 2 aggregate all of my digital music, pictures, & video with my television in my living room. It does all that & more (e.g. supports internet radio, internet TV, gives up 2 date sports scores, etc) with one important exception -- it is not "digital cable ready".

What that means is that you will not be able 2 get this thing 2 work with a digital cable tuner with a cableCARD. In otherwords, if you are getting digital cable with HD programming, & you plan 2 replace your set top box with this thing & a cableCARD, it won't fit the bill. It comes with an antenna that will enable you 2 receive the standard HD channels over the air (e.g. NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox, PBS...). You can also get regular cable through it. But not cableCARD based digital cable. I believe that in order 2 get cableCARD support, you have 2 upgrade 2 the TP25, which is a whopping $3000 (though I'm not 100% sure about that). Oddly, nowhere on the web have I seen this called out--I had 2 learn it 4 myself, after ordering a $300 digital cable tuner from Sony, havnig the cable company install a cableCARD in it, only 2 have the computer tell me "Your computer is not digital cable ready. You will not be able 2 set it up 4 use with acableCARD."

So, if you can't live without digital cable, look elsewhere. Otherwise, I highly recommend this product.

The well-rounded VAIO(R) TP20 Home Theater PC with Blu-ray Disc technology is a super-powerful entertainment PC 4 your TV. Featuring analog & digital TV tuners & DVR capabilities, the VAIO(R) TP20 Home Theater PC with a massive 500GB hard drive lets you store up 2 50 hours of HD programming 4 on-demand enjoyment. View pictures, DVDs & stunning Blu-ray Disc HD videos on your TV. Backed by the next-generation Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 processor, the VAIO(R) TP20 Home Theater PC is packed with all the power you need 2 surf the web, watch viral video & view & record HD programming on your big screen TV. Browse the web & e-mail from your sofa using the built-in 802.11b/g WiFi, Wireless Keyboard & Remote Control. Pre-installed with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium with a spectacular new look, instant Search, built-in Windows Media Center, & automated PC security features. NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT with 256MB dedicated Video Memory with up 2 1023MB shared TV Tuner with NTSC & ATSC support Blu-Ray Disc Read BD-R/-RE/-ROM/DVD+-R/RW Drive with Double Layer Intel High Definition Audio 802.11b/g Wireless 10/100Base-TX Ethernet Built-in Memory Stick(R) Pro & Memory Stick(R) Duo with MagicGate(TM) Card Reader Built-in Secure Digital (SD) media slot Back ports - 4 x USB 2.0, IEEE 1394, Headphone, Microphone, S/PDIF Output, IR Outputs, VGA, HDMI, RJ-45 Expansion slots - 2 x PCI (one available), PCI Express x16 (occupied) Approximate Unit Dimensions - 10.63? Diameter x 3.58? Height Approximate Unit Weight - 8.16 Pounds Monitor is not included

Minimalist in design though loaded with all the multimedia & connectivity features a modern living room requires, the Sony VIAO VGX-TP20E/B brings PC power 2 your TV while invigorating your interior design. Designed 2 blend with your modern home decor, the round, black VGX-TP20E/B Living Room PC comes equipped with a matching wireless keyboard & remote control, freeing you from the restraint of cables & tangled cords. But the VGX-TP20E/B is not just about form factor. With more & more television programs & movies becoming available 4 download--as well as videos from friends & family uploaded 2 sharing sites--Sony's Living Room PC is a great way 2 enjoy an evening of video entertainment without having 2 huddle around a PC monitor.

You can also use the included NTSC (standard) & ATSC (digital) TV tuners in conjunction with Windows Vista Home Premium's Media Center capabilities 2 record programming (even in HDTV) directly 2 the VGX-TP20E/B's 500 GB hard drive. Video is powered by the Nvidia GeForce 8400M graphics card, with 256 MB of dedicated video memory, which will help you enjoy high-definition Blu-ray Disc playback capability, with support 4 1080p HD video as well as up 2 5.1 discrete channels of uncompressed digital audio. The Blu-ray system is backwards-compatible with standard DVDs & CDs, enabling you 2 enjoy your digital library 4 years 2 come. The optical drive can also write a full range of disc formats, including dual-layer DVD discs.

Frequently accessed features such as the optical drive, USB ports & multi-card reader are located on the front of the unit, hidden behind a curved slide-away panel, while constantly-connected terminals are hidden from sight on the back of the unit. For optimized video output 2 your LCD or plasma HDTV, it provides an HDMI connection that can transmit uncompressed 1080p video & 5.1-channel surround sound via a single cable.

Optimal cooling design & insulated hard drive keeps the unit whisper-quiet & cool, making it ideal 4 the living room. Under the hood, VGX-TP20E/B is powered by the 2.1 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 processor, which offers a super-fast 800 MHz front-side bus speed & extra-large 3 MB L2 cache. Part of Intel's 45-nanometer (nm) Penryn series, this processor boosts speed & reduces power requirements. It also features 2 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum), 54g wireless networking (802.11b/g), multi-format Memory Stick reader, & a Secure Digital memory card slot.

The Basics

• Processor: Experience improved energy efficiency, expanded wireless connectivity, & amazing battery life with the 45nm Penryn series Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 processor, which has a 2.10 GHz processor speed, super-fast 800 MHz front-side bus (FSB), & a large 3 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; & a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU & RAM, & a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.) The new hafnium-infused circuitry--which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors--conserves even more energy, giving you more time away from the wall outlet. And you'll be able 2 encode video on-the-go & watch HD movies with Intel HD Boost.

  The Intel Core 2 Duo processor has two computational execution cores in a single processor, providing greater system response when running multi-threaded applications simultaneously with no significant increase in power consumption. It's optimized 4 multitasking & is ready 2 support the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. It can simultaneously run multiple demanding applications--such as graphics-intensive games or serious number-crunching business productivity applications--while downloading music or running virus-scanning security programs in the background. Some of the advanced Intel innovations of the Core 2 Duo processor include:

  • Smart Memory Access: Improves system performance by hiding memory latency, thus optimizing the use of available computer data bandwidth 2 provide data 2 the processor when & where it is needed.
  • Advanced Digital Media Boost: Effectively doubles the execution speed 4 instructions used widely in multimedia & graphics applications.
  • Dynamic Power Coordination: Coordinates Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology & idle power-management state (C-states) transitions independently per core 2 help save power.
  • Deeper Sleep with Dynamic Cache Sizing: Saves power by flushing cache data 2 system memory during periods of inactivity 2 lower CPU voltage.

• Hard Drive: The ginormous 500 GB Serial ATA hard drive (7200 RPM) provides more than enough capacity 4 storing a large audio & video library, as well as extra space required 4 video editing. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin 2 Firewire & USB 2.0.

• Memory: The 2 GB of installed RAM (2 x 1024 MB DDR2) will satisfy many users, but this PC's two DIMM slots have a maximum 4 GB RAM capacity--perfect 4 high-end video editing & 3D gaming. The additional capacity helps boost the amount of available video RAM that's shared with this notebook's video card.

• DVD/CD Drive: This Sony Living Room PC is capable of playing back Blu-ray Disc movies in stunning clarity, as well as playing your current library of purchased & burned disc content. This notebook can also write standard DVD & CD media. The BD drive offers a 2x speed 4 reading BD-R/RE discs & a 1.6x BD-R/RE DL (dual layer) read speed. It also offers the following write speeds 4 standard DVD & CD discs: 2.4x DVD+R DL, 2x DVD-R DL, 8x 4 single-layer DVD±R, 4x DVD±RW, 8x CD-R, 16x CD-RW, & 5x 4 DVD-RAM.

• Keyboard & Mouse: Ergonomically designed 2 fit comfortably on your lap, the lightweight wireless keyboard with built-in touchpad also boasts a series of hot buttons including a web browser launch key, zoom in/out buttons & two additional programmable keys.

Video & Audio
Video is powered by the Nvidia GeForce 8400M GT graphics card, which provides up 2 1023 MB of total RAM/video memory (256 MB dedicated video RAM) 4 unmatched HD video performance on a notebook PC. With support 4 Microsoft DirectX 10 Shader Model 4.0 & High Dynamic-Range Lighting (HDR), the 8400M lets you rip through all of today's most advanced & cutting-edge games & applications.

It also includes a high-definition digital cable tuner with NTSC (standard) & ATSC (HD) support. The integrated audio card is compatible with Intel High Definition Audio, & an S/PDIF digital audio output is included. And the BraviaSync function integrates your Sony Bravia HDTV with this Living Room PC 4 one-touch control of both components.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
This desktop has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's fully compatible with 802.11b/g wireless networks, enabling you 2 access the Internet & other computers on your home LAN without having 2 connect via Ethernet (though a 10/100 Ethernet port is also provided). For upgrading, this Living Room PC offers two PCI slots (1 available) & one x16 PCI Express slot (occupied by the graphics card). It offers the following multimedia & I/O ports:

• 4 USB 2.0 ports 4 connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras 2 MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port 4 connecting digital video camcorders & other peripherals (4-pin connector on front)
• 1 HDMI output (for connecting 2 a compatible HDTV or home theater receiver 4 uncompressed digital audio & video via a single cable)
• 1 VGA monitor out
• 1 headphone jack, 1 microphone jack
• 1 S/PDIF digital audio out (for connecting 2 a home theater receiver 4 5.1-channel surround sound)
• Memory Stick slot (supports optional Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, & Memory Stick DUO media)
• Secure Digital memory card slot (also compatible with MMC cards)

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium is the operating system 4 users with advanced computer needs, & it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities 4 turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center 4 watching DVD movies & accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center 2 record & watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) & 2 access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium & an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you 2 access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever 2 share files between other PCs in your household & 2 manage your laptop computer settings 2 more securely connect via Wi-Fi.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools & technologies 2 help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting 2 a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you 2 manage & monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, & other activities.

Preloaded Software
Includes Sony Click 2 DVD (for easy DVD creation)

Dimensions & Weight
This PC measures 10.63 inches in diameter & 3.58 inches high, & it weighs 8.16 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package contains the VGX-TP20E/B Living Room PC, remote control (with batteries), wireless keyboard, HDMI cable, HDMI-DVI adapter, wireless antenna, AV cable adapter, RF cable, AC adapter, USB external ATSC TV tuner, & operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty, & Sony offers 1-year of toll-free telephone technical assistance.