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

 
 
 

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars - Great design, BUT...
Ok, I loved the design/form factor of this PC, among other things but you can see that on the pictures and the product specs so I'll focus on the things you CAN'T tell from the product description.

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

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

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

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

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



Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - Requires some tech-proficiency, but awesome product
If you know a little about computers, particularly audio and video drivers, then you will love this product!



Rating: 3 out of 5 stars - really a 3.5 rating
I'm still in the process of trying to hook it up to my InFocus projector and Sony surround sound system ... but I'm an amature so hooking it up should be possible, but so far I've not be able to get sound through it yet ... but I'm persistent, so will keep trying different combinations till it works. There are no instructions on how to hook it up to a projector (but I guess that is normal).

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






Rating: 1 out of 5 stars - Info comment about previous review
I just checked the specs at the Sony website. The TP25 is described:

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

And the price is $3000



Rating: 4 out of 5 stars - Very Cool Device -- But No Digital Cable Support
I really like this product in every way but one.

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

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

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


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