It's a sad day when Sony makes a computer called the "VAIO type R."

Anyway, three new desktops:

-VAIO type V, which apparently uses some special TV video processor making TV higher quality
-VAIO type R, comes with a dual layer DVD+R drive
-VAIO type HX, a compact desktop

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-VAIO type V

Sony will begin releasing the "VAIO type V" series of computer, which fuse TV and PC into o­ne unit, o­n May 15th. The official price for all units is Open Price.

There are three models available, with 20", 17", and 15" displays. The 20" and 17" variations feature a "Motion Reality" video processor from Sony made specifically for LCDs. TV video is processed by the Motion Reality, and when combined with the output from the video processor, it will allow for higher quality TV images.

Motion Reality consists of the "X-algorithm IP convertor" which cleanly displays diagonal lines, "overshot drive" that improves the response time of LCDs, "Advanced Adaptive" sharpness function, and other features.

Apart from this, there is a hardware MPEG encoder, the "quick standby" feature which can go from standby to displaying TV in around 5 seconds, and "Do VAIO" which provides an integrated AV environment.

The "VAIO type V VGC-V201," which includes a 1280 x 768, 20" clear black LCD, will be released o­n May 29th for a price of around 263,000 yen.

With a Celeron 2.50GHz CPU, an Intel 865V chipset, 512MB (max 1GB) of memory, a 160GB HD, and a DVD±RW drive, this PC also features USB 2.0 x 4, IEEE 1394 x 2, Ethernet, 56kbps modem, SPDIF, and video input interfaces. For memory card slots, there is a PC card slot, as well as a Memory Stick slot (Pro, high speed transfer supported) which can use Memory Stick Duo without an adapter.

The hardware MPEG encoder features a 3D Y/C filter, digital noise reduction, and ghost reduction. Also, there are 5W + 5W stereo speakers o­n the main body of the unit.

The main body size is 551 x 288 x 442mm (W x D x H), and the weight is 14.4kg. The OS is Windows XP Home Edition. A wireless keyboard and mouse are included.

Including a 1280 x 768 17" TFT clear black LCD, the "VAIO type V VGC-V171" will be released o­n June 26th. Indicators suggest it should cost around 210,000 yen. A different version of the same PC will be made available, which includes Microsoft Office Personal installed - the "VAIO type V VGC-V171B" - for around 231,000 yen.

The o­nly difference between these two PCs is the display. Other specifications are mostly tghe same. The main body size is 484 x 288 x 398mm (W x D x H), and the weight is 13.3kg.

The "VAIO type V PCV-V151," which includes a 1024 x 768 15" TFT clear black LCD, will be released o­n May 15th. Indicators suggest it should cost around 168,000 yen. Just like the 171, there is also a version of this PC which includes Microsoft Office - the "VAIO type V PCV-151B" will cost around 189,000 yen.

Apart from the display being varying from the VGC-V171, the 151 features o­nly o­ne IEEE 1394 port, and there is no SPDIF. Also, the memory stick slot supports neither Memory Stick Duo nor high speed data transfer. The speakers are 3W + 3W, and the hardware MPEG encoder does not have a 3D Y/C filter, digital noise reduction, ghost reduction, etc.

The main body size is 380 x 200 x 342mm (W x D x H), and the weight is 7.8kg. The PCV-V151B will be available in both black and white colors, while the PCV-V151 will be available o­nly in white.



Inspired by:
http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2004/0510/sony04.htm

Product Information:
http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/VGC-V201/

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-VAIO type R

Sony will release 6 models in 3 series of the "VAIO type R" high-end desktop PC line, beginning o­n May 29th. All of the models are Open Price.

VAIO type R is a high end desktop PC whose newly designed case stresses cooling and quietness, and has a CPU that uses heat pipes for a heat sink.

The basic arrangement of the case is so that there can be ventilation between the upper part, which houses the optical drives, and the lower section, which houses the other parts - with ventilation openings o­n either side of the case, air can flow through promoting a cooler environment inside. (Translator's note: This makes a lot more sense if you see the picture below.)

Heat pipes, which extend out from the CPU, are connected a radiator, which takes in air from the cool section of the case and then expels it out the rear. This will protect against the rest of the contents of the case having to suffer from the heat created by the CPU. According to Sony, this process provides the same cooling efficiency as liquid-based cooling systems.

The case can also be picked up via these ventilation holes by sticking the fingers in there, and the side covers can also be opened with o­ne finger, making for easy maintenance.

All of the models come standard with DVD±R/RW drives supporting dual layered writing, and TV tuners with hardware MPEG-2 encoders. The lower level models come with "Premeier Standard," and the upper models come with "Premiere Pro" as well as a jog controller that matches the design of the keyboard and mouse, for video editing.

The upper level "VGG-RA70P" features 1GB of memory (DDR2-533 512MB x 2), 500GB of Serial-ATA HDs (250GB x 2), a second DVD-ROM drive, DV and analog convertor, floppy drive, Intel High Definition Audio, and Windows XP Professional. The CPU, video card, and chipset have not been presented. It will be released this summer for around 420,000 yen.

The medium level "VCG-RA60" features 512MB of memory (DDR2-533 256MB x 2), a 250GB S-ATA HD, a second DVD-ROM drive, DV and analog convertor, floppy drive, Intel High Definition Audio, and Windows XP Home Edition. The CPU, video card, and chipset have not been presented. It will be released this summer for around 305,000 yen.


The lower level "VCG-RA50" has a Pentium 4 3.20E GHz CPU, 512MB of memory (DDR400 256MB x 2), a 200GB Ultra ATA/100 HD, a GeForce FX 5200, an Intel 865PE chipset, floppy drive, AC'97 Audio, and Windows XP Home Edition. It will be released o­n May 29th for around 210,000 yen.

Each type of machine can also come with an LCD display as a set. Displays that can be in the set are, for the VCG-RA70P, 19", and for the other models, 17".

The interfaces are the same o­n all of the machines - USB 2.0 x 7, IEEE 1394 x 2 (6 pin x 1, 4 pin x 1), Gigabit Ethernet, Memory Stick/Duo PRO slot, Type2 CF slot, xD-Picture Card slot, SD card/MMC multi-use slot, Type2 PC card slot, S/PDIF output, parallel port, D-Sub 15 pin, DVI, etc.

The main body size is 488 x 402 x 410mm (W x D x H), and the weight is 14.5 ~ 16kg. 5W + 5W stereo speakers and a remote controller is included.



Inspired by:
http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2004/0510/sony03.htm

Product Information:
http://www.jp.sonystyle.com/Style-a/Product/R/

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-VAIO type HX

Sony will release 5 models of the compact desktop PC line, the "VAIO type HX," beginning May 15th. They are all Open Price.

This product follows after the "VAIO HX." Although the case, keyboard and such are the same as that o­n existing products, the tones of the case coloring has been darkened to match other products presented o­n the same day, and a SD card slot has also been added. Also, the lower level model can now feature a bigger HD.

As an upper level model, the "PCV-HX81B9" features a Pentium 4 3E GHz, 512MB of memory (PC3200), a 250GB HD, a max 8x DVD±R/RW drive, a GeForce FX 5200 (64MB), a high quality function hardware MPEG encoder and TV tuner, an Intel 848P chipset, Gigabit Ethernet, Windows XP Home Edition - and it includes a 19" LCD capable of displaying up to 1280 x 1024. Indicators suggest it should cost around 315,000 yen.

The lower level "PCV-HX51B5" has a Celeron 2.70GHz, 256MB of memory (PC3200), a 160GB HD, a max 8x DVD±R/RW drive, a TV tuner with hardware MPEG encoder, an Intel 865GV chipset (with internal video function), a floppy drive, Windows XP Home Edition, and it also includes a 15" LCD capable of displaying 1024 x 768. This is for around 189,000 yen.

The interfaces o­n these computers are USB 2.0 x 7, IEEE 1394 (4 pin) x 2), Ethernet, V.90 Modem, Type2 PC card slot, Memory Stick slot (PRO/Duo support), Type2 CF slot, xD-Picture Card slot, and a SD card/MMC slot. The main body is 100 x 378 x 355mm (W x D x H), and weighs from 8.8 to 9kg.



Inspired by:
http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2004/0510/sony07.htm

Product Information:
http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/PCV-HX81/

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Sony master press release for all new VAIO series PCs:
http://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/200405/05-0510/