Comments on Sony VAIO RZ54G??

dtudela wrote on 4/15/2004, 12:45 PM
At long last I have decided to move up to a faster computer. I have been using a Windows ME, 700 mghz system which gets the job done but I am spending a lot of time waiting for things to happen. I am looking for increased speed and performance. Does anyone use or perhaps can anyone offer some feedback on The Sony VAIO PCV-RZ54G computer? General specs: 3.2 GHz P4 HT, 200GB HD, 512MB ram, ATI 128MB video, DVD+/-RW/GigaPocket.
I welcome any comments and/or suggestions.
dt

Comments

Electromen wrote on 4/15/2004, 8:11 PM
I have the PCV-RZ46G which is one step down from the 54G
3.2 GHz P4 HT, 200GB HD, 1gig Ram, nVidia 5600 128 MB video, DVD+/-RW, CD-RW, TV tuner, Windows Media Center operating system.
So almost the same computer

Neither computer has Gigapocket software. They both have Media Center which uses the gigapocket engine. Media Center is Windows XP Professional with the Media Center interface for TV, video, photos, music, & DVD.

This is my first Sony computer and I would recommend it to anyone. I never used Gigapocket software so I can't compare it to Media Center. From what I've read in these forums, it seems easier to use a VCR with Gigapocket, although you can do it with Media Center.

I bought this one in December 2003. I have found the computer to be very stable. I have not had any conflicts installing new software such as: Screenblast MS, Vegas+DVD, Sound Forge 7.0, Acid, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Word Perfect, Outlook, Picture It, Nortons Internet Security or games. The DVD burner has not given me any problems.

Since I am into video editing, I added a second 200 GB internal hard drive. Sony makes this easier than most other brands to add. The case is well designed. The fans are quiet enough to place the computer near you without a distraction. The speakers are good, but I may upgrade to 5.1 surround speakers later this year. The sound card is 5.1 ready.

Media Center comes with a remote control which you can use for TV and DVD playback. Microsoft's plans for Media Center are to have it in your family room connected to your Plasma or LCD TV. I don't think it is ready for all that considering the complicated connections between other equipment and devices, such as DVD, VCR, HD receivers, Satellite, TIVO, Tape decks, CD players, etc. But as a stand alone computer it has been great.

If you are into photography or video add a Sony 19" SDM FX93 LCD monitor and buy a DVI cable to connect it. That way you monitor is totally digital. It's worth the investment.

As far as speed, the hour glass hardly ever appears, even during video editing, you may see it for 1/2 second while a photo opens.

I don't think the computer has a serial port. It does have:
Seven USB 2.0 (Three front/four rear)
Two PS/2® (Mouse/Keyboard)
One VGA/DVI Monitor Port / TV-Out Port
One S/PDIF Out / One Parallel Port / One Line In
One 6pin i.LINK Port (rear)/ One 4pin (front)
One Headphone / One Microphone
S-Video: Two Inputs (front and rear)
Composite Video / Audio Inputs (front and rear)
Coaxial Input (VHF/UHF)

It does not support Dual monitors, but you can connect a TV and a monitor at the same time. It has Card readers for digital cameras and firewire input front and rear.

If you are set on Gigapocket software, this computer does not have it, but I like Media Center.

Is that enough????
Sarasdad wrote on 4/16/2004, 3:45 AM
I have the same as Electromen graet computer. The only thing is the hard drives c and d are backward. When you edit or download you use D instead of C,.D is the larger.
dtudela wrote on 4/16/2004, 5:45 AM
WOW! Thanks for for the feedback guys. That was a lengthy reply and I certainly appreciate your time and willingness to share your thoughts. Just as an FYI, I have only used MS3 for about 1 year now and VideoFactory 2.0 for a short time before that. Me and my son and a couple of friends have just marketed our first hunting video. It was produced on VHS and it features 14 turkey hunts in Maine. We have gotten a lot of good feedback on the product. The most impressive part is that the entire video was edited in Screenblast MS3 on my ME system which brings me to where I am now--looking for a faster computer. I am not looking for all the unncessary whistles and bells--just computer power for editing, rendering and burning DVDs. Thanks again for the fast reply.
dt
dtudela wrote on 4/16/2004, 8:42 AM
Follow up question. I am told that the only dumb question is the one not asked, so here goes. If my main focus is video editing, rendering, and copying back to my video camera (mininDV) and/or to a VCR and down the road a bit burning VCD/DVDs, what role if any does media center play in this scenario? I am wondering if it might be better to buy a system without media center and put the money saved into more RAM, additional hard drives, etc. As I mentioned in my earlier post that I will be editing for hunting videos, not using my computer as a TV set or to play a VCR.

The second question--Does the option of connecting to a TV permit the use of the TV for previewing MS3 movies without passing through my camcorder. Presently, I go to my TV or VCR through my digital camcorder by selecting "RECORD TO DEVICE" from the Video Capture screen.

Thanks again for your help.
dt
Electromen wrote on 4/16/2004, 2:01 PM
You may want to get a Sony with Gigapocket, I understand it is more compatible with a VCR. Also look into dual monitor support, using one monitor for preveiw and one for editing. You may want to customize a computer with a powerful video card including TV out and dual monitors. The Vegas forum would be a good place to ask about hardware. You will probably upgrade to Vegas+DVD someday. Make sure you get Windows XP Professional instead of XP Home.

Of cousre you are reporting this new income to the IRS aren't you?
Let's say in the year 2004 you have receipts for computer, software, media, phone calls, advertising, internet service, vehicle, insurance, postage, etc. totalling $5,000
Your income from this business was $2,000
Your net loss was $3,000

Let's say at your full time job you made $30,000
You only have to pay taxes on $27,000
$30,000 minus $3,000 = $27,000

The federal government will accept a business to loose money for the first five years, after that you better show a profit.

This would reduce your federal, state and local taxes. Ask your accountnt.
Interesting thing - being honest about income will save you tax money for 2004.

Let me know how it works out, Greg
dtudela wrote on 4/19/2004, 7:07 AM
Thanks, Greg. Sounds like good information.
dt
Electromen wrote on 4/19/2004, 1:58 PM
Check out

www.videoguys.com

good source for hardware advice
Moebius wrote on 4/19/2004, 7:53 PM
There are a few reviews on Amazon.com. I think some of these systems come with PC2700 memory instead of PC3200. Personally, I'd build my own, but I guess not everyone wants to do that...
jtfrazer wrote on 4/20/2004, 2:04 PM
Hi,

My only complaint with Sony machines came from an XG series laptop that I have. The machine has worked flawlessly, but Sony has not kept up with drivers as new operating systems have become available. While they did provide some support for Windows 2000, several of the devices on the machine either wouldn't work or worked with reduced features.

I had the same problem with a tape backup unit from them. It's now gathering dust on my shelf since it won't work with the XP family.

Perhaps now that Microsoft is slowing down the rate at which new OS's become available, this won't be an issue for their current machines.

Jim