Amazon.com Product Description

Sony's new RA Series of multimedia desktop PCs combine the style and attraction of VAIO with new and unique next-generation features. With an i915P Grantsdale chipset, x16 PCI Express for graphics, and four serial-ATA ports, the RA Series is equipped for a hardware challenge. The stylishly black VGC-RA710G comes complete with a DVD+/-RW drive and a variety of Sony digital media software that makes it easy to burn your home movies and digital audio collections to disc. It also comes preloaded with Sony's GigaPocket software, which enables you to watch and record TV programs right on your PC. Other features include a massive 250 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, and a hyper-threaded 3.20E GHz hyper-threaded Pentium 4 processor.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The included 250 GB Ultra ATA/100 hard drive (7200 RPM) is one of the largest installed drives found on the PC market. It will provide more than enough space to store your favorite TV shows as well as room for recording old VHS tapes.
• Processor: The 3.20E GHz Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading technology (which allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system) is one of the fastest processors currently available on the market. It's based on Intel's next generation 90 nm process technology, which delivers faster transistors and increases performance. It also has a 1 MB L2 cache and a fast 800 MHz front-side bus speed.

  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.

• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory (PC-3200 400MHz DDR SDRAM) is a good start for power users. It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion up to 2 GB (2 x 1 GB).
• CD/DVD Drive: It comes with two optical drives: a DVD+/-RW and CD-RW combo drive and a 16x DVD-ROM for playing music and movie discs. The combo drive offers 8x write, 4x rewrite, and 8x read speeds for both +R/RW and -R/RW discs and a 40x write/read and 24x rewrite speed for CD-R/RW discs.
• Keyboard & Mouse: It comes with a Sony Vaio keyboard and optical mouse (with PS/2 connector).

• 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 monitor port
• 2 composite video/audio inputs (front and rear)
• Coaxial input (VHF/UHF)
• 2 S-Video (1 front)
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
• 1 S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) digital optical connector
• 1 line input/output

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--even pause or rewind (up to 7 seconds) FM radio broadcasts. Sony's Giga Pocket built-in software converts TV signals to digital MPEG2 format and lets you watch and record TV programs right on the PCV-620G, watch while you record with the Slip Playback feature, and burn shows directly to DVD. It's also loaded with Sony's Vaio Creative suite of multimedia applications, which includes PictureGear Studio (digital photo), SonicStage (digital music), Sony MovieShaker, DVGate Plus (digital video), VAIO Media (network file sharing), and Click to DVD (for burning DVD discs). Other preloaded titles include a 60-day trial of Microsoft Office, Adobe Premiere, Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0, Quicken 2004, Norton Internet Security (with 90-day trial subscription), InterVideo WinDVD, and a 90-day trial of AOL.

Dimensions and Weight
This desktop PC measures 8 x 16 x 16 inches (WxHxD).

More Technical Features
The heat pipe advanced cooling system pulls heat away from the CPU, dissipating it through an exchanger, ensuring ultimate performance without the noise or hassle of alternative cooling systems. Noise reduction is at the core of the RÕs design. With impovements in the optical, hard drive, power supply and graphics card, youÕll hardly know it's on.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony Vaio VGC-RA710G desktop PC, IR remote control, keyboard, mouse, and set of two speakers.

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. Automaticallyrecord a personalized selection of TV programs using Keyword Record. Media Centerdownloads the latest program listings for you and even wakes up from power-savingstandby 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.

... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Muscle-bound with multimedia horsepower, the HP Pavilion a450n desktop PC offers a productive workspace for your small business/home office as well as a digital media hub for all your digital audio, video, and gaming needs. It features both DVD+RW and a CD-RW burner, NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 for PC gaming, massive 160 GB hard drive, hyper-threaded 3.0 GHz Pentium 4 processor, and 512 MB of installed RAM.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The massive 160 GB Ultra DMA hard drive (7200 RPM) offers more than enough storage for all your documents, digital photos (approximately 160,000 2-megapixel images) and video (approximately 9 hours of .avi video), and MP3 collection (up to 2,000 CDs).
• Processor: The 3.0 GHz Intel 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 suited for high-performance needs, including intense 3-D gaming, database development, and video editing. It also has a 1 MB L2 cache and 800 MHz front-side buss (FSB).
• Memory: The a450n comes with a 512 MB built-in memory (1 x 512 MB DDR SDRAM, 333 MHz)--a good start for power users--with a maximum memory expansion up to 2 GB (4 x 512 MB).
• CD/DVD Drive: This desktop PC comes with two optical drives: a combo DVD+RW/CD-RW burner and CD-ROM drive (48x) for playing music and game CDs. For DVDs, it has 4x write, 2.4x rewrite, 8x read speeds; for CDs, it writes at 16x, rewrites at 10x, and reads at 32x. It's compatible with the DVD+RW format, one of two formats for rewriteable DVDs.
• Keyboard & Mouse: It comes with an HP Internet keyboard and optical mouse (both with PS/2 connections).

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
For expansion, the a450n has two 5.25-inch external bays (both occupied), four 3.5-inch bays (one internal bay available), three PCI slots (two available), and one AGP 8x slot (available). It comes with a built-in floppy drive and the following external connectors:

• 6 USB 2.0 ports (2 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) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals (1 in front, 1 in rear)
• 1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 RGB monitor port
• 1 serial port for older peripherals such as early PDAs
• 1 microphone and 1 headphone jack in the front
• Multi-format memory card reader that's compatible with CompactFlash (Type I/II), MicroDrive, Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro, Smaredia, Secure Digital (SD), and MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards.

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.92) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software
The a450n comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it also features Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). Other preloaded software includes Microsoft Money 2004, Quicken New User Edition 2004, Norton Antivirus 2003 (with 60 days of complimentary updates), Adobe Acrobat Reader, Encarta Encyclopedia 2004 Standard Edition, Adobe Photoshop album (starter edition), RecordNow 6.5 (for burning CDs), WinDVD SE 4.0 (for DVD playback), ArcSoft ShowBiz (for editing digital video), and MusicMatch Jukebox.

Dimensions and Weight
It measures 7.5 in x 15.2 in x 16.5 in (W x D x H) and weighs 37.9 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package contains the HP Pavilion m450n desktop PC, power cable, keyboard, and mouse. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and labor for one year from date of purchase.

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. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

I bought two of these at one time
First off, technically they are awesome. Quiet (VERY QUIET), correctly configured so that they fell into my home LAN seemlessly at #4 and #5. The ports are easily used, and the case/port design is excellent. It will hook up, and configure well for you if your like me.

Only Problems : Too much shovelware. Almost all the software on this box is pay now to get, instead of owning it yourself now. If youwant to enable everything it will cost you hundreds of dollars more, and they made it a pain to uninstall some of it.

If you just want the box, good. It's suited for that. If you wanted alot of functioning software, get your credit card out, you will be entering it alot. It suits MY needs great, but may not suit everyones needs if you want alot of pre-bundled software.

Ozzie

So far, it's done what I asked
I've had this computer for about 6 weeks now, and I've had multiple problems, but none were the fault of the computer. I was hit by a nasty virus/worm that hit many people, but the HP technicians were very helpful.

The computer is very fast, very quiet, and has done everything I've asked of it. As I explore it more, and try more, I might run into problems, but none so far. Very satisfied.

A really powerful machine at a great value
I ahave been using this computer for a week and really love it! It replaced an Acer computer with a 20 G hard drive and a Celeron processor running at 850 Mhz. As others have said, it is really fast. It turns on almost instantly. Ms Word and IE pop up quickly and web pages snap open. I bought this computer in desperation after the Acer's power suppoly and system board shorted out on the same day and only after 3.5 years of ownership. The Logitech sound system is nice too and sounds
The downsides have already been described. There doesn't seem to be room for additional storage drives. However, with a 160 G HD four USB 1.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports and an IEEE 1394 connector the designers of this machine certainly believe the future to be external and don't anticipate end users needing to crack open their box and install components. The same can be said of the small system board and small number of PSI slots. The HP engineerers see the future with connectable de devices and not with circut cards. However, with all that is on this machine, it is not likely that I and most end users will need to add much for a long time.

The other reason I d didn't give this five stars is because the i first machine I brought home from the computer store was defective. When I turned it on the fan made a loud super charged noice and stayed this way for more than an hour until I shut it off. HP tech support in India couldn't fix it so I took it back to the store, Micro Center, where they exchanged the machine with no hassle. The only problem was that they were out of stock and I had to wait four days for a new shipment to arrive. Apparently, the computer is this popular!
much beter than the SB Live card I was using.

Great Powerful Compact PC
I purchased this computer about two months ago and had CompUSA add another stick of 512mb memory (it now has 1Gig) and I installed the top Geforce FX Nvidia 5950 Ultra video card. I'm playing one of the most graphic intense software titles currently out, FAR CRY, and after hours of play on almost all of the highest graphic and sound settings it hasn't faltered. Oh yes, I failed to mention that I placed a Sound Blaster Audigy Gamer sound card in it as well.

Don't understand why HP is indicating that it can't have a memory upgrade.

It's true that with it's mini board there aren't many PCI ports but after all I've placed in it I can't imagine needing anything else for a while to come. It rocks also with my Klipsch Ultra Pro 5.1 speakers and 20" Viewsonic CRT monitor. Not mentioning these items to boast or brag but to relate that it is possible to upgrade in some areas and is powerful enough to handle some pretty high-end peripherals and software.

Quiet
I still can't believe how quiet this machine is. It's no Mac, but it makes my two-year old Pavilion sound like a positive racket. Nice and fast, too. One warning, and the reason for the missing star: this machine is not currently upgradeable. The earliest release of compatible RAM is scheduled for May. I was VERY disappointed to hear this. HP support (very fast, very nice) will tell you that you cannot upgrade the machine. This panicked me, since it is not what the documentation says, but, technically they're correct. You'll have to wait to upgrade the RAM on this puppy. Until the upgrades are available, this is a serious problem. ... Read more

Product Description

It's your flat-panel LCD TV. It's your high-performance PC. It's all in one. The VAIO V TV-PC brings high-quality television to your desktop computer. Designed to be sleek and modern, yet highly functional, it compliments any room. With the added benefit of Sony creative software, you can create, manage and share digital photos, videos and music. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Gorgeous; must see in person to appreciate.
Is beautiful machine.Fits sleekly into library office or den, and gets comments from everyone.The screen is so bright and rich in colors that people cannot believe it is a computer.Is at same display level to eyes as hdtv lcd quality.Oh yeah, the computer part works great, too.Loaded with real software, and everything runs smoothly the first time.Is real fast.Instantaneous speed.Unreal.Only negative is the high price.Because of the screen aspect ratio, though, get the 20 inch model, not the 17 inch model.The 20 looks like a 17 in person. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sony Vaio PCV-RS630G proves that PCs aren't just for spreadsheets any more. A multimedia powerhouse, the RS620G comes complete with a DVD+/-RW drive and a variety of Sony digital media software that makes it easy to burn your home movies and digital audio collections to disc. It also comes preloaded with Sony's GigaPocket software, which enables you to watch and record TV programs right on your PC. Other features include a massive 250 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, and a hyper-threaded 3.20E GHz hyper-threaded Pentium 4 processor.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The included 250 GB Ultra ATA/100 hard drive (7200 RPM) is one of the largest installed drives found on the PC market. It will provide more than enough space to store your favorite TV shows as well as room for recording old VHS tapes.
• Processor: The 3.20E GHz Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading technology (which allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system) is one of the fastest processors currently available on the market. It's based on Intel's next generation 90 nm process technology, which delivers faster transistors and increases performance. It also has a 1 MB L2 cache and a fast 800 MHz front-side bus speed.

  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.

• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory (PC-3200 400MHz DDR SDRAM) is a good start for power users. It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion up to 2 GB (2 x 1 GB).
• CD/DVD Drive: It comes with two optical drives: a DVD+/-RW and CD-RW combo drive and a 16x DVD-ROM for playing music and movie discs. The combo drive offers 8x write, 4x rewrite, and 8x read speeds for both +R/RW and -R/RW discs and a 40x write/read and 24x rewrite speed for CD-R/RW discs.
• Keyboard & Mouse: It comes with a Sony Vaio keyboard and mouse (with PS/2 connector).

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
You get excellent range of connectivity options befitting the multimedia tasks associated with the PCV-RS630G, such as three PCI expansion slots (two available), one 8x AGP (accelerated graphics port, available) slot, two 5.25" half-height bays (both occupied), one external 3.5" bay (occupied), two internal 3.5" bays (one occupied), 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 monitor port
• 2 composite video/audio inputs (front and rear)
• Coaxial input (VHF/UHF)
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
• 1 S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) digital optical connector
• 1 line input/output

Preloaded System and Software
This PCV-RS630G comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it features Microsoft Works 7.0 (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). Sony's Giga Pocket built-in software converts TV signals to digital MPEG2 format and lets you watch and record TV programs right on the PCV-620G, watch while you record with the Slip Playback feature, and burn shows directly to DVD It's also loaded with Sony's Vaio Creative suite of multimedia applications, which includes PictureGear Studio (digital photo), SonicStage (digital music), Sony MovieShaker, DVGate Plus (digital video), VAIO Media (network file sharing), and Click to DVD (for burning DVD discs). Other preloaded titles include a 60-day trial of Microsoft Office, Quicken 2004, Norton Internet Security (with 90-day trial subscription), InterVideo WinDVD, and a 90-day trial of AOL.

Dimensions and Weight
This desktop PC measures 7.2 x 15.6 x 14.9 inches (WxHxD) and weighs 26.5 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony Vaio PCV-RS630G desktop PC, IR remote control, keyboard, mouse, and set of two speakers. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

SONY DOES IT AGAIN!
I usually do not write reviews, but I am so happy with the PCV-RS630G that I would like to share my enthusiasm.

Most recently I had a Sony Pentium 3 VAIO desktop purchased in 2001 which I felt was ready for replacement.

Unlike the previous reviewer who had problems "out of the box" (which can happen to anyone), my computer purchased at Circuit City was up and running immediately. With previous computers, I was always able to get programs running but often had problems connecting to the Internet. This time, my Earthlink DSL connection worked right away. All my programs loaded properly and ran ok with no error messages. There were a few minor issues using Outlook for sending and receiving e-mail, but Earthlink helped me work them out within five minutes. It was an Outlook issue because I could immediately send and receive e-mail through the Earthlink e-mail program.

The hyper-threading technology seems to be very good since I am able to run many programs simultaneously and do things like anti-virus and spyware checks in the background while doing other tasks without anything slowing down.

Specific points:

I cannot comment about the speakers that come with the PCV-R630G since I run my VAIO through an external audio system. But I can tell you that audio CD's sound crisp and clean so this system must use very good digital converters. DVD's also look top notch using Windows Media. I have not used it yet for burning DVD's.

I cannot make any comments about gaming since I am slightly out of the computer gaming demographic.

So far I have been using this new Sony desktop for two weeks with excellent results. There has not been even one instance of freezing up, or where I have needed to "inform Microsoft of the problem!" Likewise, I have never had to restart the computer other than by choice.

Earlier VAIO's had operating system discs and lots of bundled software. Those days appear to be over. Sony suggests you make a back-up of XP which is probably a good idea, although since I bought Windows XP for my last VAIO, I have XP discs should the need ever arise.

If you use Microsoft Office for Word/Excel/Outlook/Power Point, you will note that you are teased with a 30-day free trial. When you realize you are hooked, you will have to go through a conversion (this is not a religious procedure) to switch from free trial to "I actually now own this expensive Microsoft software!" You can accomplish this online with a "key" to unlock the program. But if you want the packaging, you can simply go to your nearest Staples/Office Depot-type outlet and buy an Office 2003 Upgrade edition which will work. Since this is not backward compatible, you cannot use a previous version of Office (i.e. Windows 2000). You will need to buy an upgrade of Office 2003. But it's worth it. I think it has some nice refinements from Office 2000 and besides, Bill Gates really does need your money.

Also, a new trend seems to be not to include hefty booklets with software anymore. You get the computer (slightly less weight than previous VAIO's in a more compact box), with just basic "how to turn it on" instructions with the advice that you can find anything about the computer's operation at a VAIO website online. XP is already preloaded as are the few other programs and games so you can literally turn the computer on and be ready to roll.

The only part of the design that doesn't thrill me is the design of the CD and DVD trays. It would have been better if you could use the same external button to close the trays which you can use to open them. You have to put just the right amount of pressure on the tray so it closes all the way. On my VAIO, too little pressure will leave the tray partially closed. If you have people using your computer (i.e. tiny tots), make sure you show them how to load the trays and close them because they are a tad fragile.

One last point: I bought the 17" Sony Flat Screen monitor which looks great but does not have the greatest refresh rate (typical of LCD monitors.) I did some research online and found that Hitachi LCD's have a faster refresh rate so I returned the Sony to Circuit City (which charges a 15% restocking fee which I was unable to beat even with a certain amount of begging and groveling and resorting to those "Circuit City has now lost me as a customer for the rest of my life" veiled threats which the store managers probably hear all day long and laught at!) It cost me about $80 for having had the monitor for just ten days. Oh well.

Anyway, I wound up buying a Hitachi CML175SXW 17" LCD monitor online. Unfortunately the Hitachi monitors are not sold at any retail stores. It is, however, the same price as the Sony but I feel a better product. When scrolling, it refreshes better than the Sony so you do not have quite the same blurring issues. This attractive LCD display also comes in 15" and 19" sizes.

All in all, you cannot go wrong with this new desktop from Sony. Highly recommended and I feel well worth the price.

Not as bad...in fact, it is a pretty good system!
RS630G is a new model based on Sony's website. However, in stead of using a 3.4 GHz P4 CPU, it used a 3.2 GHz to bring the price down to compete with other desktops in this category. It supports 2Gb RAM but only has 512 MB installed. The speakers are a pair of cheap ones that might cost $20 if you buy them in a local computer store. Windows XP Home edition also brings down the cost.
Pros:

1. It is a Sony! It comes with good sony software that no other computers can compete -- if you plan to use your desktop computer to do a lot of multimedia project -- this is the machine you can choose. The machine comes with Sony's Giga pocket TV/video recording program; Sony's DV Gateplus video capturing/editing software; Drag'n Drop to DVD and Click to DVD disc authorizing program; Sonicstage music editing and managing program; Picture Gear picture editing and managing program plus Quicken, Microsoft Works suite, and a couple of trial programs such as Internet Security (a terrible program by Symantec) and Microsoft Office Standard version, both are 60 day trial. Compare to former Sony desktops, this one has a lot less application programs, but the ones that come with the computer would be good enough for anyone to complete pretty sophisticated multimedia projects.
2. It comes with a few card reader slots and seven USB-2 slots.
3. Good size hard drive (250 GB) and unlike former Sony desktops, the hard drive was not divided into two partitions.
3. It is fast and quiet.
4. It does not come with a recovery disk, but you can make a set using a simple program that comes with the machine and don't need to buy. You may choose to use CD or DVD for the recovery disk set. I spent about 15 minutes to produce a set using one DVD-R and one CD-R media although the program indicated that the process may take an hour to complete.
5. The ATI Radeon 9200 graphic card has 128 MB video memory, enough for most of the new games.
6. It can be used as a media server, which you can connect to your TV and stereo components.

Cons:

1. There are only two IEEE 1394 ports, one in the front (6-pin) and one (9-pin) in the back. I have yet had a change to test the front one. According to my past experience with Sony VAIO video studios, the front one will not be recognized unless you are hooking up with a Sony DV camcorder and fire up Microsoft Movie maker. This really sucks.
2. The modem port lacks a port to connect the telephone. Usually, the internal modem card should have two ports: line-in and line out to phone, but this one, like Dell machines, only has one port for line in. I don't know how you can connect both your computer and your phone without buying a spliter.
3. This machine is intending to market the Home users, but in fact, it is more suitable for experienced computer users. For example, the machine has a good TV tuner, but unless you use the machine as a media server for your home network, you won't be able to enjoy the TV using its 3x2 inch TV setup window. Sony's RZ series that come with Windows XP media edition might be a better option if you want a better GUI to enjoy TV, VCR, DVD functions.

My machine did not have any problem upon its arrival and I have kept it on for two weeks now and still runs great. Everything has been working.

Some notes for buyers:

1. Delete Microsoft Office Trial Edition before you install one that is not trial, otherwise they may conflict with each other.
2. Delete Internet Security. After 60 days, you have to purchase it anyway. It is cheaper to buy Symantec's Norton Antivirus then get a free personal firewall through www.zonelabs.com. Internet Security is a terrible program if you are using DSL or any home wireless network.
(...)

So disappointed!!! SONY brings me a lot of pain ... ...
Most electronics in my home are from SONY. But, this time I am so disappointed with the purchase at Sonystyle.Com.

1) When I opened the computer, the computer can not be started. I spend much much time to call the custom service. Unfortunately the custom service is very difficult to be reached.

2) It gave a lot of difficulties to return this big stuff. So I decided to send it to a SONY authorized Service Ctr. There is only 1 in Massachusetts. It needs 7 bussiness days to repair - Oh, my god!

3) I spent $2150 for the computer and 19" LCD monitor at sonystyle.com. But, no computer manuals, no software manuals, no recovery discs (you need to buy it!) with the computer. You need to spend much time to call them for every detail.

So bad service, which waste me a lot of time and feeling. I will never buy SONY again. I feel so bad with SONY ... ... SONY brings me a lot pain ... ...

So disappointed!!!
Most electronics in my home are from SONY. But, this time I am so disappointed with the purchase at Sonystyle.Com.

1) When I opened the computer, the computer can not be started. I spend much much time to call the custom service. Unfortunately the custom service is very difficult to be reached.

2) It gave a lot of difficulties to return this big stuff. So I decided to send it to a SONY authorized Service Ctr. There is only 1 in Massachusetts. It needs 7 bussiness days to repair - Oh, my god!

3) Rebate cheating:
(...).

4) No computer manuals, no software manuals, no recovery discs (you need to buy it!) with the computer. You need to spend much time to call them for every detail.

So bad service, which waste me a lot of time and feeling. I will never buy SONY again. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Bring together the worlds of entertainment and information technology with the HP Media Center m1270n desktop PC. This powerful digital entertainment hub enables you to watch and record your favorite TV programs, easily edit digital video, andcreate your own CDs and DVDs (including 8.5 GB dual layer discs). It also offers a variety of HP multimedia features, including LightScribe direct disc labeling, Image Zone photo editing and management software, and HP camera dock holder. The m1270n features a gargantuan 250 GB hard drive, 1 GB of installed RAM, 3.0 GHz hyper-threaded Pentium 4 processor, and multiformat memory card reader.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The massive 250 GB Serial ATA hard drive (7200 RPM) offers a wealth of storage space, perfect for storing a vast multimedia collection or for editing digital video.
• Processor: The hyper-threaded Intel Pentium 4 530 processor (3.0 GHz) allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system, helping to deliver faster transistors and increased performance. It also features a 512 KB L2 cache and a blazingly fast 800 MHz front-side bus speed, which measures how fast a processor and the main memory communicate. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance.)

  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.

• Memory: The 1 GB of installed RAM (PC2700) is a very good start for this multimedia-centric desktop PC, but you'll want to take advantage of the ultra-roomy 4 GB of total RAM capacity (2 x 2 GB)for such multimedia needs as video editing and immersive 3D gaming.
• CD/DVD Drive: Offering the latest in DVD writing technology, the multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer DVD+R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. It features16x DVD+R, 8x DVD-R, 4x DVD+/-RW, 2.4x DVD+R DL, 16x DVD-ROM, 40x CDR, 24x CDRW, and 40x CD-ROM ROM speeds. It features the LightScribe direct disc labeling feature, which enables CD, DVD images and disk labels to be permanently etched onto discs--eliminating messy marker-scrawled labels. This desktop also has an additional 48x CD-ROM drive.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This desktop comes with an HP two-button, scrolling optical mouse and HP Media Center keyboard with full multimedia control. It also includes a remote control with IR (infrared) receiver.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The m1270n has three PCI expansion slots (one available), two external 5.25 drive bays (occupied), 1 internal 3.5 drive bay (occupied), one AGP (accelerated graphics port, occupied) slot and the following external ports:

• 6 USB 2.0 ports (2 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 front and 1 back) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
• 1 serial port
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 VGA/DVI monitor port
• Composite video, S-Video, and audio inputs
• HP Personal Media Drive bay (which can accept HP's Personal Media mini hard drive, which slides right into the chassis and provides easy access to all your multimedia files for transfer to a notebook or use with a compatible stereo)
• 9-in-1 media card reader on the front, compatible with CompactFlash (Type I and II), MicroDrive, SmartMedia, Memory Stick/Memory Stick Pro, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital, and XD Picture Card

Preloaded System and Software
The pre-installed Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 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). With the 250 GB hard drive, you'll be able to record and store up to 180 hours of video programming. It's compatible with cable, digital cable, satellite TV and antenna inputs, and it includes an FM tuner.

The included HP Image Zone Plus photo and imaging software makes it easy to organize, edit, share, print, protect, and store your photos and video clips. Organize and find your photos easily by timeline, keywords, and/or location using the unique photo-globe mapping tool. Remove red eye and fix other common problems. Share your photos quickly via e-mails that include thumbnails with links to the full-sized images--without downloading time-consuming attachments.

Other preloaded software includes InterVideo WinDVD Creator and WinDVD SE player, Apple iTunes, Sonic RecordNow, Norton AntiVirus 2005 and Personal Firewall 2004 (with 60 days of live updates), Microsoft Works 8.0, MSN Encarta Standard, Microsoft Money, and Quicken 2004 New User Edition.

What's in the Box
This package contains the HP Media Center m1270n desktop PC, keyboard, mouse, remote control, HP Personal media drive, and power cord. It is backed by a 1-year limited warranty. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sony Vaio PCV-RZ56G 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 3.4 GHz Pentium 4 processor (with Hyper Threading technology), super-sized 250 GB hard drive, and 1 GB of installed memory.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The massive 250 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 3.4 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-RZ56G comes with a 1 GB built-in memory (2 x 512 MB DDR SDRAM, 400 MHz), which is definitely suited to this PC's high-performance video and audio capabilities. The motherboard has a maximum memory expansion of 2 GB.
• CD/DVD Drive: The PCV-RZ56G 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. Additionally, it comes with a CD-RW drive with 40x write/12x rewrite speeds.
• Keyboard & Mouse: It comes with a Vaio keyboard and optical mouse (PS/2).

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-RZ56G 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.

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-RZ56G 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. Automaticallyrecord a personalized selection of TV programs using Keyword Record. Media Centerdownloads the latest program listings for you and even wakes up from power-savingstandby 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.

... Read more

Reviews (3)

Sony VAIO PCV-RZ56G
My god this computer is probably the most powerful one out there. Listen up people if you love to take pictures and love editing them but think that it is getting too hard on your old computer? This is the one to go with. It has digital editing software that you can transfer your pictures from your memory stick (Sony) and see them on your desktop. This is running at Pentium 4, 3.4GHz Processor. That is the fastest processor out for Windows so far. I bought this computer a couple of months ago and I am enjoying every second of it. I have high speed internet and it probably goes to the website in one or two seconds! If you do a lot of word processing you should get Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003 because this computer doesn't come with any good software. Some things I love about this computer is the RAM. 1024GB RAM is a huge amount and the Hard Drive is 250GB which is also humungous. The DVD+RW is the best thing to have. If you have kids who play around with your DVDs or pets that drool all over them. With a DVD Burner you can record a DVD onto another disc so it stays in good shape. But don't go to video rental stores and burn any DVDs because the police will fine you huge amounts of money. I have three of these systems with 21" Flat-Panel display from Sony too. That's the only thing you really have to buy is a display. Sony makes the best displays. I have everything from Sony. And I think you should start too. This computer will probably last you 10-20 years, if you keep it in good shape.

Speed: 10/10

Storage: 10/10

Software: 8/10

Graphics: 10/10

Some people shouldn't buy this computer because they don't use it that much.

P.S. This computer comes with Hyper Threading technology which is when you can run more than one thing at once without slowing down your computer at all. This is one of the best things computers come with these days. For this price you can't deny how good this computer is.

An incredible machine
This computer will pretty much blow away any other computer you can buy. Well, if you look around real hard, you might find a custom built computer with tweaked memory settings, but it won't be as stable and reliable as this machine. And unlike Apple, Sony doesn't cut corners on the graphics. Pick out the newest 3D game out there and this machine will eat it for breakfast. (Note: it has a ATI Radeon 9600XT, the tech notes on Amazon are a little confusing on this point.)

But to me the best thing is the 3.4GHz HT CPU. The "HT" means it supports Hyper-threading, which is a fancy way to say it can run two software threads at the same time. No other CPU in the consumer market can do that. I have a 3GHz HT cpu, and I love the fact that while I am doing something that takes a few minutes (like writing out a movie or burning a CD), I can go off and surf the web or play a game and never notice a slow down. It's almost a good as having 2 CPUs, except at a fraction of the price.

Sure, a computer at this level may cost a little more, but the way I see it is why sit around waiting for your computer to do things? With this computer you get your time back. For me that's worth a few extra bucks.

Top notch system
This is a top notch desktop. I bought mine with a 19 inch flat screen Sony monitor. Out of the box, it took me less than half an hour to set up. Also, it integrated fine with both my Router and my Digital Cable service. With the processing power and HD size a lot of nice options become available to you. Record your favorite TV programs, and watch them as you please. Picture and DVD editing are a breeze, though I would recommend upgrading to Adobe Premier Pro. I like iTunes and with the two speaker sub woofer system you have a great medium to store and run your favorite songs. Gaming is good for this system too, and applications like Office will run with no problems. Overall this is a very good Media Center desktop PC. ... Read more

Amazon Product Description

The BasicsSimilar in most respects to HP's powerhouse Media Center m1090n Photosmart PC but sporting marginally downgraded components and therefore a more affordable price tag, the HP Media Center m1180n Photosmart PC is ideally suited to those who want the very best but can't quite justify absolute state-of-the-art. Featuring such lavish perks as a massive 250 GB hard drive, a potent Altec Lansing amplified speaker system, an impressive new version of Intel's Pentium 4 processor and superb multimedia accoutrements, the sophisticated Media Center m1180n is ready to handle anything the foreseeable future may bring. Whether you use it in a business environment, graphic design studio, gaming den or a home entertainment setup, you'll find HP's latest Media Center PC delivers everything you need.

Processor
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. For the Media Center m1180n, HP has turned to Intel and its new Pentium 4 550 CPU. This is an upgraded version (nicknamed "Prescott") of the venerable Pentium 4 chip, featuring one full MB of Level 2 cache and a more generous data "pipeline" than prior models. Operating at a screaming 3.4 GHz and of course sporting Intel's Hyper-Threading technology (Hyper-Threading allows a single CPU system to behave at times as a dual CPU system, thus adding substantially more speed to some high-end applications), this is a high-end CPU that will blaze through virtually anything. It does, however, follow the tried and true 32-bit CPU architecture of previous Pentiums rather than the substantially faster 64-bit architecture just being introduced in a small number of today's priciest, most advanced CPUs. That shouldn't be a serious detraction for most people, though, as the vast majority of today's applications are not built to take advantage of 64-bit processing.

Memory
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. The Media Center m1180n features one full GB of fast PC3200 DDR SDRAM main memory, a huge allotment that'll handle even the most challenging multitasking situations. Moreover, the system will accept later RAM upgrades to a stunning total of 4 GB.

Video
CPU’s are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). The Media Center m1180n features an ATI Radeon X300 SE PCI-E with 128 dedicated MB of video memory. This card is capable of accurately displaying virtually any 2D application and delivering smooth frame rates and immersive, lifelike visuals to the 3D graphics found in many of today's computer games and 3D animation packages. Ultra-serious gamers who want to play the latest and most demanding 3D titles at highest possible resolution may wish to upgrade to a 256 MB or 512 MB video card, but all others should be fine as is.

Display
A display screen is not included, thus allowing you to continue using your current monitor or select from today’s many alternatives.

Sound
The Media Center m1180n produces sound via an Intel High Definition Audio chipset with support for seven distinct audio channels and one subwoofer. If eight separate speakers seem a bit much, you can certainly make do with the enclosed Altec Lansing 2121 speaker system -- a two-satellite, one-subwoofer array that's far more powerful and much more accurate than the typical entry-level multimedia speakers accompanying many of today's computer.

Hard Drive
At 250 GB, the internal hard drive is one of the most spacious in any desktop PC, offering enough room for a massive allotment of files and applications and ample music, video/photo and multimedia libraries too. Further storage possibilities are offered in the form of a convenient docking slot located on the front of the computer tower that accepts portable hard drives such as the HP Personal Media Drive.

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today’s computing environment. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can enjoy all of the above plus watch the same big budget DVD movies you watch on your home entertainment system. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can also "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD).

This system features two optical drives -- a DVD-ROM drive for playing music and data CDs and DVD movies, and a state-of-the-art Double Layer DVD+R/RW drive through which you can burn music and data CDs, play DVD movies, and record home videos to long-lasting DVD media. The "Double Layer" designation refers to the unit's ability to handle double layer DVDs, each of which offers nearly double the capacity of traditional DVDs (8.5 GB vs. 4.4 GB). Moreover, the unit's two drives allow you to make extremely quick copies of any CD or DVD.

Connectivity and Expansion
With no less than six high-speed USB 2.0 ports -- two of which are conveniently located on the front of the unit -- you’ll have plenty of room for plug and play gadgets such as digital cameras and printers. HP has also included two IEEE 1394 "FireWire" ports (commonly used for fast data transfer from digital camcorders) and a versatile 9-in-1 card reader for reading memory cards from devices such as digital cameras, PDAs and more. Communication options include an integrated 10/100Base-T networking interface for fast Internet and network communication and a V.92 data/fax modem for low-speed dial-up connections.

Operating System and Software
The Media Center m1180n features an extremely comprehensive software package headed by Microsoft’s beefy Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 operating system. HP will also pre-install Microsoft's Works 7.0 productivity suite, two finance packages (Microsoft's Money Standard 2004 and Quicken 2004 New User Edition), and a bevy of photo, music and imaging utilities. Last but certainly not least is HP's own Personal Video Recorder for recording and archiving up to 200 hours of video from sources such as cable and satellite TV.

Control
To help free your workspace of cumbersome cables, HP will provide a convenient extended range (16 ft) wireless keyboard and wireless mouse. To help you relax when you're watching movies, playing games or listening to music, the system also features a handy wireless infrared remote control. ... Read more

Amazon Product Description

The Basics
In the world of computers, customers pay a premium price for top-level state-of-the-art gear. Fortunately, there are plenty of powerful, capable choices just a notch or two below the pricey state-of-the art trendsetters. One such computer is the HP Pavilion A362N Desktop PC, a unit that's suitable for virtually any business, home, home office, or even home entertainment situation yet isn't priced inordinately high. Top amenities include a DVD burner, a powerful 3D graphics card, and an impressively spacious hard drive.

Processor
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. For the Pavilion A362N, HP has installed a 3.0 GHz Intel Pentium 4 with Hyper-Threading technology. Hyper-Threading, a new Intel innovation, allows a single CPU system -- which most are -- to behave at times as a dual CPU system, thus adding substantially more speed to some high-end applications. Running at a snappy 3.0 GHz, this particular CPU would be considered fast even without its Hyper-Threading.

Memory
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. The Pavilion A362N features 512 MB of PC2700 DDR SDRAM main memory, an average allotment in today's desktop market and perfectly satisfactory for most single task and multitasking assignments. The system is also constructed to support later RAM upgrading, to a stunning total of 4 GB (eight times the stock allotment and more than any user will probably ever need).

Video
CPU's are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). The Pavilion A362N features one of todays most respected graphics cards, an ATI Radeon 9200. Sporting 128 MB of video memory and futuristic architecture, this card is capable of accurately displaying virtually any 2D application and delivering smooth frame rates and immersive, lifelike visuals to the 3D animations found in industry leading computer games and 3D animation packages.

Display:
HP has not included a display screen, thus allowing you to continue using your current monitor or select from today's many alternatives.

Sound
The Pavilion A362N produces sound via an audio chip integrated on its mainboard. This is a typical setup for many PCs, producing satisfying but not earth shaking output and six channels of surround sound. Speakers are not enclosed.

Hard Drive
At 160 GB, the internal hard drive is one of the most spacious in any desktop PC, offering enough room for a massive allotment of files and applications and ample music, video/photo and multimedia libraries too.

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today's computing environment. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can enjoy all of the above plus watch the same big budget DVD movies you watch on your home entertainment system. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can also "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD).

This system features dual optical drives - a fast 48-speed CD-ROM drive for playing music and data CDs, and a versatile DVD+RW/CD-RW drive through which you can burn music and data CDs, play DVD movies, and record home videos to long-lasting DVD media. Moreover, two drives allow you to make extremely quick copies of any CD.

Connectivity and Expansion
With no less than six high-speed USB 2.0 ports -- two of which are conveniently located on the front of the unit -- you'll have plenty of room for plug and play gadgets such as digital cameras and printers. HP has also included two IEEE 1394 "FireWire" ports (commonly used for fast data transfer from digital camcorders) and a 7-in-1 card reader for reading memory cards from devices such as digital cameras, PDAs and more. Communication options include an integrated 10/100Base-T networking interface for fast Internet and network communication and a V.92 data/fax modem for low-speed dial-up connections. The system's two available PCI slots may be used for add-on audio cards, video cards, and the like.

Operating System and Software
The Pavilion A362N features an extremely comprehensive software package headed by Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition operating system. HP will also pre-install the Microsoft Money 2003 and Quicken New User Edition 2003 financial centers, Microsoft's Works 7.0 productivity suite and an impressive assortment of multimedia and Internet utilities.

Keyboard and Mouse
To help free your workspace of cumbersome cables, HP will include a convenient wireless keyboard and wireless mouse combo. ... Read more

Manufacturer

The BasicsSimilar in most respects to HP's awesome top-of-the-line Media Center m1090n Photosmart PC but with slightly downgraded data and graphics processing and less memory, the HP Media Center m1080n Photosmart PC is nevertheless an excellent desktop computer that's adorned with high-end components and will make quick work of most any task or application you can dream up. Featuring such lavish amenities as a humungous 250 GB hard drive, solid out-of-the-box 3D graphic support, a potent Altec Lansing amplified speaker system and a powerful new version of Intel's Pentium 4 processor, the m1080n is a capable machine best suited to those who need high-end computing but can't financially justify absolute state-of-the-art.

Processor
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. For the Media Center m1080n, HP has turned to Intel and its new Pentium 4 540 CPU. This is an upgraded version (nicknamed "Prescott") of the venerable Pentium 4 chip, featuring one full MB of Level 2 cache and a more generous data "pipeline" than prior models. Operating at a blazing 3.4 GHz and of course sporting Intel's Hyper-Threading technology (Hyper-Threading allows a single CPU system to behave at times as a dual CPU system, thus adding substantially more speed to some high-end applications), this is a very fast CPU and a strong centerpiece to a top-level system. However, it follows the tried and true 32-bit CPU architecture of previous Pentiums rather than the substantially faster 64-bit architecture just being introduced in today's priciest, most advanced processors.

Memory
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. The Media Center m1080n features 512 GB of fast PC3200 DDR SDRAM main memory. This is an average allotment for a computer of this caliber, but its rated speed is comparatively quick. As such, it is more than enough for most multitasking situations and complex applications. Moreover, the system is constructed to support RAM upgrades to a stunning total of 4 GB.

Video
CPU's are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). The Media Center m1080n features one of today's finest graphics cards, an ATI Radeon X300 SE PCI-E with 128 dedicated MB of video memory. A video card with dedicated memory is far preferable to cards that share the system's memory, and this card is capable of accurately displaying virtually any 2D application and delivering smooth frame rates and immersive, lifelike visuals to the 3D animations found in most computer games and 3D animation packages. Serious gamers who demand perfect frame rates at extremely high resolutions may want to upgrade to a 256 MB video card, such as the Radeon X600 PRO PCI-E found in HP's Media Center m1090n.

Display:
HP has not included a display screen, thus allowing you to continue using your current monitor or select from today's many alternatives.

Sound
The Media Center m1080n produces sound via an Intel High Definition Audio chipset with support for seven distinct audio channels and one subwoofer. If eight separate speakers seems like a bit much, you can certainly make do with the enclosed Altec Lansing 2121 speaker system. This is a two-satellite, one-subwoofer setup that's far more powerful and accurate than the typical two-piece entry-level multimedia speakers accompanying many of today's computer systems.

Hard Drive
At 250 GB, the internal hard drive is one of the most spacious in any desktop PC, offering enough room for a massive allotment of files and applications and ample music, video/photo and multimedia libraries too. Further storage possibilities are offered in the form of the convenient HP Personal Media Drive, a docking slot located on the front of the computer tower that accepts portable hard drives.

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today's computing environment. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can enjoy all of the above plus watch the same big budget DVD movies you watch on your home entertainment system. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can also "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD).

This system features two optical drives -- a DVD-ROM drive for playing music and data CDs and DVD movies, and a DVD+R/RW drive through which you can burn music and data CDs, play DVD movies, and record home videos to long-lasting DVD media. Moreover, the unit's two drives allow you to make extremely quick copies of any CD or DVD.

Connectivity and Expansion
With no less than six high-speed USB 2.0 ports -- two of which are conveniently located on the front of the unit -- you'll have plenty of room for plug and play gadgets such as digital cameras and printers. HP has also included two IEEE 1394 "FireWire" ports (commonly used for fast data transfer from digital camcorders) and a versatile 9-in-1 card reader for reading memory cards from devices such as digital cameras, PDAs and more. Communication options include an integrated 10/100Base-T networking interface for fast Internet and network communication and a V.92 data/fax modem for low-speed dial-up connections. The system's single open PCI slot may be used for add-on audio cards, video cards, and the like.

Operating System and Software
The Media Center m1080n features an extremely comprehensive software package headed by Microsoft's beefy Windows XP Media Center Edition operating system. HP will also pre-install the Microsoft Money Standard 2004, Microsoft's Works 7.0 productivity suite, HP Image Zone Plus photo and imaging software, and an impressive assortment of multimedia utilities. Last but certainly not least is HP's own Personal Video Recorder for recording and archiving up to 200 hours of video from sources such as cable and satellite TV.

Control
To help free your workspace of cumbersome cables, HP will provide a convenient wireless keyboard and wireless mouse combo. To help you relax when you're watching movies, playing games or listening to music, the system also features a handy wireless infrared remote control. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Developed for uncompromising individuals who won't settle for anything but the best, the Sony Vaio PCV-RZ26G desktop is an awesome mixture of power and versatility. Whether used for business, home, or leisure pursuits, Sony's most luxurious "Digital Studio" to date is ready for many years of upgrade-free computing.

If speed is what you crave, the Vaio PCV-RZ26G delivers. Outfitted with a lightning-fast 3.06 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor, a stunning 1 GB of premium PC-2700 333 MHz DDR memory, and a 533 MHz bus, the system is perfect for those who drive their computers beyond reasonable expectations. The only potentially suspect component is the graphics card, a 64 MB nVidia GeForce4 MX440. Although fully capable of handling the vast majority of applications, and equipped with a convenient TV tuner, it may have some problems smoothly rendering ultrahigh-end 3-D games and drawing or animation packages.

When it comes to the storage and movement of data, Sony has left nothing to chance. The Vaio PCV-RZ26G is fitted with an enormous 160 GB 7,200 rpm Ultra ATA/100 hard disk for your frequently accessed programs and files, a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive for older or smaller applications, and a combination DVD-RW/CD-RW drive through which you can burn and play audio CDs, archive information, watch the latest cinematic releases, and create your own DVDs. For fast interaction with peripherals such as digital camcorders, scanners, and external drives, the system also features a half-dozen high-speed USB 2.0 ports and two IEEE 1394 FireWire connectors (mounted front and back).

The Vaio PCV-RZ26G is packed with numerous other desirable amenities, including a VGA/DVI port for flat-panel displays, an S/PDIF out, two PS/2 ports, a pair of freestanding stereo speakers, and a handy Vaio Smart keyboard. Sony has not included a monitor, allowing you to use your current display or select from the many available choices. ... Read more

Amazon Product Description

The BasicsAs one of the most affordable members of Sony's distinctly upscale "R" series of desktop computers, the VAIO VGC-RA826G Digital Studio PC brandishes many of the same features Sony incorporates into its pricier R models but falls just short of state-of-the-art and does not include a viewing screen. Thusly, the unit is ideal for those who want high-end computing without paying top dollar. Designed to efficiently handle virtually anything you can throw at it, the VAIO VGC-RA826G is a great fit as the hub of a business, personal, home office, entertainment or gaming environment. It even features an innovative liquid heat pipe cooling system to squelch excess heat and minimize noise.

Processor
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. The VAIO VGC-RA826G incorporates one of the fastest CPUs currently in existence (at the time of this writing), an Intel Pentium 4 550. New for 2004, this is an upgraded version -- nicknamed "Prescott" -- of the venerable Pentium 4 chip, featuring one full MB of Level 2 cache and a more generous data "pipeline" than prior models. Operating at an astounding 3.4 GHz and of course sporting Intel's Hyper-Threading technology (Hyper-Threading allows a single CPU system to behave at times as a dual CPU system, thus adding substantially more speed to some high-end applications), this CPU delivers more than enough power for any application or environment.

Memory
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. For the VAIO VGC-RA826G, Sony has installed a whopping 1024 MB (1 GB) of fast PC3200 400 MHz DDR SDRAM memory. This is a ton of memory even for a high-end machine, and its rated speed is comparatively quick. As such, it is easily sufficient for any multitasking situation or complex application. Moreover, the system's mainboard is constructed to support RAM upgrades to a whopping 2 GB.

Video
CPU's are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). A graphics controller with "dedicated" video memory is preferable to a controller that's integrated on the mainboard and "shares" the system's main memory, as it will better handle complex procedures.

One of the problems with many high-end PCs is that they simply aren't equipped with a graphics card on par with the rest of the system. Not so with the VAIO VGC-RA826G, which features an ATI Radeon X600 XT with 256 MB of video memory. Not only will this card efficiently operate all your 2D and 3D apps (including the vast majority of demanding 3D games), but it also includes a television tuner and a 16x PCI Express Giga Pocket MPEG2 Realtime Encoder/Decoder to pause, rewind and replay live TV. Furthermore, Sony will package the system with a handy remote control to make TV and movie viewing even easier.

Display:
Sony has not included a display screen, thus allowing you to continue using your current monitor or select from today's many alternatives.

Sound
The VAIO VGC-RA826G produces stereo and surround sound via an Intel High Definition Audio chipset with support for six distinct audio channels. Sony will also enclose a 2.1 speaker system with two desktop satellites for clean middle and high frequencies and a subwoofer for added bass support.

Hard Drive
At 250 GB, the unit's internal hard drive is one of the largest on the market and thusly spacious enough for a massive allotment of files and applications and a comprehensive music, video/photo and multimedia library too. Furthermore, this particular hard drive is exceptionally quick -- sporting a fast 7200-RPM speed, an 8 MB buffer, and a futuristic Serial ATA connection. These are all comparatively recent innovations, each increasing the overall speed and performance of the system.

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today's computing world. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can enjoy all of the above plus watch the same big budget DVD movies you watch on your home entertainment system. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can also "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of CDs).

This unit features two optical drives -- a DVD-ROM drive for playing music and data CDs and DVD movies, and a DVD +/- RW Double Layer Multi-Format drive through which you can not only do everything above but also take advantage of new double layer DVDs (twice the capacity of traditional DVDs). Moreover, this two-drive setup allows you to make extremely fast CD or DVD copies.

Connectivity and Expansion
With no less than seven high-speed USB 2.0 ports, you'll have lots of room for plug and play gadgets such as digital cameras and printers. Sony has also installed two IEEE 1394 "FireWire" ports (often used for fast data transfer from digital camcorders), an S/PDIF jack for crystal clear digital audio, two S-Video inputs for lossless digital video, a DVI monitor port for the highest quality flat-panel display images, and a memory card reader for reading today's most popular memory cards from devices such as digital cameras, PDAs and more. Communication options include an integrated Gigabit Ethernet LAN interface for substantially faster network and Internet access than traditional 100Mbps and 10Mbps Ethernet, and a 56K data/fax modem for low-speed dial-up connections

Operating System and Software
The VAIO VGC-RA826G features a software package that's clearly aimed at fans of multimedia. Headed by Microsoft's Windows Media Center Edition operating system and Microsoft's Works 8.0 productivity pack, the bundle also features Adobe Premier LE video editing suite, Adobe Photoshop Elements digital imaging utility, and a half dozen of Sony's own top notch audio, video and photo tools.

Control
Apart from the aforementioned remote control, the system includes a convenient VAIO Keyboard and a no hassle PS/2 optical mouse. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

As the crowning jewel of Sony's "Digital Studio" line of PCs, the VAIO PCV-RZ36G Desktop is one of the fastest and most versatile pre-configured computers currently on the market. Powerful enough for any business environment but best suited to a home setting where its wealth of multimedia and entertainment amenities may be fully exploited, Sony's top-of-the-line PC and most luxurious Digital Studio to date is ready for many years of upgrade-free computing.

If speed is what you crave, the VAIO PCV-RZ36G delivers. Outfitted with a lightning fast 3.0 GHz Intel Pentium 4 Processor with Hyper-Threading Technology (Hyper-Threading allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system -- thus boosting performance during key high-drain procedures such as multitasking), and a stunning 1 GB of premium PC-2700 333 MHz DDR memory, the system is perfect for those who drive their computers beyond reasonable expectations. Sony has even addressed the Achilles Heel of most out-of-the-box desktops by enclosing a 128 MB nVidia GeForce FX 5200 graphics card with w/TV-Out to handle high-end 3-D games and applications.

When it comes to the storage and movement of data, Sony has left nothing to chance. The VAIO PCV-RZ36G is fitted with an enormous 160 GB hard disk for your frequently accessed programs and files, a 3.5-inch diskette drive for older or smaller applications, and a DVD-RW/CD-RW drive through which you can burn and play audio CDs, archive information, watch the latest cinematic releases and create your own DVDs. For fast interaction with peripherals such as digital camcorders, scanners and external drives, the system also features eight high-speed USB 2.0 ports and two IEEE 1394 FireWire connectors (mounted front and back).

The VAIO PCV-RZ36G is packed with numerous other desirable perks, including a VGA/DVI port for flat-panel displays, an S/PDIF out, two PS/2 ports, a 2.1 speaker system with subwoofer, and a handy VAIO Smart keyboard. The incredible software package features a variety of business applications such as Microsoft Money 2003 and Intuit Quicken 2002, as well as an impressive array of multimedia titles not available with any other desktop, including several high-end music, video and image editing utilities. A monitor is not included with this computer. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

concerning the restore disk
i found out the same results you cant use your media restore disc but i did foind out you can get the full system restore disc fom sony its a two dvd set for $17.99 plus tax and shipping
remeber to refer to the model number pcv rz36g its still available

Less than I expected for the money
After looking at other systems in the same category, I think I paid to much for what is otherwise a sound hardware configuration. The system could use an upgraded sound card and the speakers are a little on the cheap side as well.

For those of use who HATE XP Home, the upgrade process to XP Professional is a little painful. I made the recovery media and than wiped out the system to load a clean version of XP Professional. Because of the way the recovery media is designed I could not install any of the Sony provided applications onto the newly loaded system. Sony recommended reloading the recovery media onto the system and then upgrading to XP Pro. This resulted in a very messy system full of lots of items I don't use and don't want. There is also a problem reloading Gigapocket, but if you fool with the system you can get it reloaded.

If I had to do it all over again I would consider other vendors or buy a custom configured system from Sony's website. I had originally tried to build my own system on Sony Style, but they were delayed several weeks due to a lack of parts. I canceled the Sony Style order and purchased this system from another retailer.

I have purchased this system and a Dell in the last three years. I was much happier with my Dell buying experience though I did not find a Dell that had the editing features that came with this system. Sony seems unfriendly to more advanced users and they spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to avoid helping you. I would love to upgrade some parts of my system (specifically the sound), but so far I have found Sony less than helpful in this regard as well.

I originally purchased this system for transferring my home videos to DVD. The video quality from my analog DVD player was pretty bad, but I am not sure if this is because of Gigapocket or because of the Sharp video recorder I own. Either way, this did not workout as I had hoped.

The Adobe tools for this system are not the full version though you can upgrade for several hundred dollars more. I found Adobe Premier 6 LE to be very useful once I learned how to use it. For several hundred dollars more you can get the full version, but I am not sure that most home users will find that expense worth the effort.

For most people the Microsoft Works that comes with this system is inadequate. For those who have school age kids, power point and Excel are excellent additions to the system. Because this system comes with Microsoft Works you may have issues (as I did) configuring other Office Products on this system. You should make sure that Sony will support your system if you upgrade to another version of Office.

Expect very little paper documentation to come with your system. The help file that Sony loads on the system and the help files from the vendor are all you have to go on. This can make learning the system a little difficult. I still don't know what the fiber optic port is for and I have no idea what the Gigapocket specifications are.

The system gets high marks for performance but gets low marks for documentation and cost. I would only buy this system if it is exactly what you want. Any changes will be difficult and may result in support issues when dealing with Sony support. I believe a little searching would give you more features for less money. If I had it to do over again I would not buy this specific system put would probably still consider a custom configured Sony or maybe an HP which also has some nice multimedia systems.

WATCH OUT!!!
I (myself) have the problem after recovering its original system from either created media kit or the image (in hard drive). When I turned on the PC for the first time, the reminding message alerted me to make the recovery media kit. After doing that, three times, one DVD and one CD, and two times making recovery CDs with 8 CDs in case of writing any errors, I tried to replace the original hard disk drive with the new one because I didn't want to have any mistake with the original one. During the installation, the message appeared that it can't execute from the exteranl device H:\GIGA400313909.EXE -GUI. I re-installed again and again but the same problem still persisted. Finally, I put back its origianl hard drive then played around with Giga pocket, it functioned properly. But when I decided to make the system recovery from the internal image just following the instruction, the same problem happened the same thing. FINNALY, I DON'T HAVE GIGA POCKET ANY MORE. Plus, its optical drives seem to work very hard (kind of error - make noise - unable to duplicate my home DVD movie using veritas software except using Roxio 6). I am so disappoited to see that no system CDs come with the product and its integrated sound card.

Excelent Computer
Before I bought this computer, I have owned HP computers. They were of great quality and served me well. When we had to get a new one, we initialy went for a new HP, but Compusa was out. So, we decided to go and buy the other 3 gig computer. It was this sony. It wasn't my first choice, but it is an excelent computer! It is fast, has plenty of memory, comes loaded with an OK graphics card, and is much nicer looking than other computers on the market. Sure it is a little pricey, but the speed and it's versatility are what you pay for. Sony's are made to last and I'm sure this beast will dominate as long as it's the fastest avalible! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

As the new crowning jewel of Sony's "Digital Studio" line of PCs, the VAIO PCV-RZ46G Media Center Desktop is one of the fastest and most versatile pre-configured computers currently on the market. Powerful enough for any business environment but perhaps better suited to an upscale home setting where its wealth of entertainment-related amenities may be fully exploited, Sony's top-of-the-line multimedia PC and most luxurious Digital Studio to date is ready for years of upgrade-free computing.

If speed is what you crave, the VAIO PCV-RZ46G delivers. Outfitted with one of the fastest processors currently on the planet, a stunning 3.2 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading Technology (Hyper-Threading allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system -- thereby boosting performance during key high-drain procedures such as multitasking), and a whopping 1 GB of premium PC-2700 333 MHz DDR memory, the system is perfect for those who drive their computers beyond reasonable expectations. Sony has even addressed the Achilles Heel of most out-of-the-box desktops by enclosing a 128 MB nVidia GeForce FX5600 graphics card with w/TV-out and DVI-out to handle high-end 3-D games and applications and provide a purely digital link to the new breed of LCD flat-panel monitors.

When it comes to the storage and movement of data, Sony has left nothing to chance. The VAIO PCV-RZ46G is fitted with a monstrous 200 GB hard disk, a 3.5-inch diskette drive for older or smaller applications, and a DVD-RW/+RW/CD-RW drive through which you can burn and play audio CDs, archive information, watch the latest cinematic releases and create your own DVDs. For fast interaction with peripherals such as digital camcorders, scanners and external drives, the system also features seven high-speed USB 2.0 ports and two IEEE 1394 FireWire connectors (mounted front and back).

The VAIO PCV-RZ46G is packed with numerous other desirable perks, including an S/PDIF out, a coaxial input, a 2.1 Sony speaker system with subwoofer, and a handy VAIO Smart keyboard. The impressive software package features a variety of business applications such as Microsoft Money 2003 and Intuit Quicken 2002, as well as an impressive array of Sony-exclusive multimedia titles, including several high-end music, video and image editing utilities.

Sony has not enclosed a monitor, thus allowing you to use your current display or select from the many alternatives currently on the market.

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. Automaticallyrecord a personalized selection of TV programs using Keyword Record. Media Centerdownloads the latest program listings for you and even wakes up from power-savingstandby 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.

... Read more

Reviews (5)

Down market speakers and noisy disk drive detract
I'm shocked no one seems to care that the 200GB hard drive that comes standard with this model whistles like a tea kettle. I called in the problem and the Sony authorized representative replaced the drive with another identical one. That one whistles, too. There simply isn't enough sound insulation. This is a problem when you are NOT watching loud DVDs obviously. I'm thinking of replacing the drive with something quieter--on my own nickel, of course.

The other joke is the cheap speakers that aren't as good as my 5 year old Monsoon speakers. Plus they are definitely unaesthetic looking. They really are a disappointment. Mine are available for anyone who wants them.

Everything you could want
Bought mine on a pre-order in November. It's very fast, multi-tasking is a non-issue; the built-in TIVO is a great toy. Once you read email and watch TV at the same time, you'll never go back. Click to DVD is very easy to use. Comes w/ a multitude of video, photo and jukebox software so you can pick your favorite.
Using a remote to control your music, view photos & video is WONDERFUL!
Sound quality is very good w/ supplied speakers - volume goes very high.

Cons:
Even tied to a great monitor, do not expect the TV picture to be as good as your set in the den.

My DirectTV receiver doesn't mesh perfectly w/ the TV tuner so that on some channels I have to hit a button on the Cable TV remote to remove the menu screen. More fiddling needed there.

The built-in mem stick port shows up as a CF port - strange.

Pluses greatly outweigh the minuses. A new version has the whole thing built into the monitor, so no box. Would be even better.

I was skeptical, but Sony came through!
Initially, I was worried about going with Sony for a computer as they aren't one of the traditional brands that I have owned in the past (Dell, IBM, and Compaq). This computer is awesome! It rips through all of my design and multi-media work and I couldn't be happier. I kept my 21" CRT monitor though...was a tough choice.

Click to DVD
Top of the line. Expensive, worth every penny. Sony made it easy to covert (VHS, VHS-C and 8mm) to DVD, a one step process.
Video ports are front and rear. I have a VCR connected to the computer and it will convert tapes to DVD with a very low learning curve. Use "Click to DVD" and the program does it.
Computer, $2200. Saving Grandma in 1988 to DVD - Priceless.

I wish it were mine
The family next door bought one of these and they were nice enough to let me have a go at it. Work-Of-Art. This machine rocks. We took every game they had, cranked up the settings as high as they would go (frame-rates that would kill my computer) and it didn't even blink.

They even showed me how well it does two things at once - like burn a cd and play a game on the side while they were waiting. When I burn a cd I have to go do something else because my computer slows to a crawl.

And it just looks awesome. It cost a lot, but I am giving it some serious thought. There is nothing else like it. ... Read more

Manufacturer

The BasicsEvery so often, the bar is raised. And so it is with HP's new Media Center m1090n Photosmart PC, an astonishing desktop computer that's adorned with high-end components from top to bottom and will make quick work of any task or application you can dream up. Featuring such lavish perks as a humungous 250 GB hard drive, superb out-of-the-box 3D graphic support, a potent Altec Lansing amplified speaker system and a powerful new version of Intel's Pentium 4 processor, the m1090n stands proudly at the forefront of HP's new Media Center roster as one of the most capable standard desktops on the market. It isn't cheap, but it is ideal for discerning individuals who simply must have the best.

Processor
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. For the Media Center m1090n, HP has turned to Intel and its new Pentium 4 560 CPU. This is an upgraded version (nicknamed "Prescott") of the venerable Pentium 4 chip, featuring one full MB of Level 2 cache and a more generous data "pipeline" than prior models. Operating at a screaming 3.6 GHz and of course sporting Intel's Hyper-Threading technology (Hyper-Threading allows a single CPU system to behave at times as a dual CPU system, thus adding substantially more speed to some high-end applications), this is an extremely competent CPU that will blaze through virtually anything. However, it follows the tried and true 32-bit CPU architecture of previous Pentiums rather than the substantially faster 64-bit architecture just being introduced in today's priciest, most advanced CPUs. Therefore, it isn't quite the most powerful CPU money can buy.

Memory
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. The Media Center m1090n features one full GB of fast PC3200 DDR SDRAM main memory, a huge allotment that's more than enough for even the most challenging multitasking situations. Moreover, the system is constructed to support later RAM upgrades to a stunning total of 4 GB.

Video
CPU's are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). The Media Center m1090n features one of today's finest graphics cards, an ATI Radeon X600 PRO PCI-E with 256 dedicated MB or video memory. This card is capable of accurately displaying virtually any 2D application and delivering smooth frame rates and immersive, lifelike visuals to the 3D animations found in industry leading computer games and 3D animation packages.

Display:
HP has not included a display screen, thus allowing you to continue using your current monitor or select from today's many alternatives.

Sound
The Media Center m1090n produces sound via an Intel High Definition Audio chipset with support for seven distinct audio channels and one subwoofer. If eight separate speakers seems like a bit much, you can certainly make do with the enclosed Altec Lansing 2121 speaker system. This is a two-satellite, one-subwoofer setup that's far more powerful and much more accurate than the typical entry-level multimedia speakers accompanying many of today's computer systems.

Hard Drive
At 250 GB, the internal hard drive is one of the most spacious in any desktop PC, offering enough room for a massive allotment of files and applications and ample music, video/photo and multimedia libraries too. Further storage possibilities are offered in the form of the convenient HP Personal Media Drive, a docking slot located on the front of the computer tower that accepts portable hard drives.

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today's computing environment. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can enjoy all of the above plus watch the same big budget DVD movies you watch on your home entertainment system. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can also "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD).

This system features two optical drives -- a DVD-ROM drive for playing music and data CDs and DVD movies, and a state-of-the-art Double Layer DVD+R/RW drive through which you can burn music and data CDs, play DVD movies, and record home videos to long-lasting DVD media. The "Double Layer" designation refers to the unit's ability to handle double layer DVDs, each of which offers nearly double the capacity of a traditional DVD (8.5 GB vs. 4.4 GB). Moreover, the unit's two drives allow you to make extremely quick copies of any CD or DVD.

Connectivity and Expansion
With no less than six high-speed USB 2.0 ports -- two of which are conveniently located on the front of the unit -- you'll have plenty of room for plug and play gadgets such as digital cameras and printers. HP has also included two IEEE 1394 "FireWire" ports (commonly used for fast data transfer from digital camcorders) and a versatile 9-in-1 card reader for reading memory cards from devices such as digital cameras, PDAs and more. Communication options include an integrated 10/100Base-T networking interface for fast Internet and network communication and a V.92 data/fax modem for low-speed dial-up connections.

Operating System and Software
The Media Center m1090n features an extremely comprehensive software package headed by Microsoft's beefy Windows XP Media Center Edition operating system. HP will also pre-install the Microsoft Money Standard 2004, Microsoft's Works 7.0 productivity suite, HP Image Zone Plus photo and imaging software, and an impressive assortment of multimedia utilities. Last but certainly not least is HP's own Personal Video Recorder for recording and archiving up to 200 hours of video from sources such as cable and satellite TV.

Control
To help free your workspace of cumbersome cables, HP will provide a convenient wireless keyboard and wireless mouse combo. To help you relax when you're watching movies, playing games or listening to music, the system also features a handy wireless infrared remote control. ... Read more

Product Description

For home, work, or play, PowerSpec offers systems for every use and every budget, from fully integrated systems to top-of-the-line multimedia power systems. By driving down manufacturing costs and eliminating extra expense layers PowerSpec has been able to "offer an affordable approach to computing." PowerSpec 8925-Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 3.00GHz with HT technology,Windows XP Home,512 MB DDR400 SDRAM,160 GB 7200 RPM Ultra DMA100 Hard Drive,52x CD-ROM Drive,16x DVD±RW Drive,1.44MB Floppy Disk Drive,Integrated S3 UniChrome Video,One Year On-Site Warranty ... Read more

Product Description

Finally, after years of talk and speculation the line between the computer and home entertainment has been erased. The future is here today, and we can help it become an exciting part of your home entertainment. A Computer to: Schedule and record TV programs to a hard drive. Similar to the TIVO service, only once you make the initial purchase of our system you never pay a monthly fee.* Pause Live TV Rewind and Fast Forward (Skip Commercials in Recorded Shows) Schedule recordings while you're not home Burn favorite shows to a DVD for permanent storage Use your computer as a DVD player. We show you how to seamlessly integrate our HTPC Media Centers into existing Home Theater Setups Play Computer games on your big screen TV Have a large Music Library? Copy all of your CDs to your hard drive. Use online music services like "Napster" and add to your collection at any time*. Surf through your library at will from the comfort of the couch. Create music play-lists and burn them to CDs or download them to an MP3 player. Use a Camcorder? Easily upload and store recorded video to your Media Center system. Edit the video, add titles and store it forever on a DVD disc Store and edit photos from a digital camera Listen to Web based radio stations, or your local FM stations with the included antenna and FM tuner Download and watch movies* Surf the internet* * Requires Internet Connection. ... Read more