Customer Reviews

Sony VAIO PCV-RZ44G Media Center Desktop (2.8-GHz Pentium 4 (Hyper-Threading), 512 MB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-RW/CD-RW Drive)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

VAIO...the name itself is so stylish (check out the history of the creation of the name on Sony's website), one wonders if the computer itself will be as cool. The answer, in short, is: yes, it is, without being embarassingly overpowered (if you are the kind who would feel embarassed by excess). This computer is, in essence, aimed at what used to be called a "prosumer" (someone who wants to do what the pros do but who is paying their own tab and must therefore choose carefully what they buy).

But let's start with the superficial stuff first. Starting on the outside: The case is about three-quarters as high as an older computer tower, and a bit wider. It is mostly dark grey, dull silver on the sides with the word VAIO embossed into it, and with what appears to be (but is not) a black strap pulling tight all around (giving the distinct impression that this computer is so powerful that it needs to be restrained). It is a wonderful case design to see. As far as hearing goes, this machine is very quiet. The back is made almost entirely of perforated metal so there's plenty of air flow, and the fan and power supply are quiet. Indeed what drew me toward the "RZ" series of Vaio rather than the "RS" series of Vaio (with the older style tower case) was that when I viewed each series at a store, I noticed the RS series' side panels actually vibrated from all the noise they produced. The RZ in contrast is more solid and more silent. Behind every door there are audio/video/s-video/firewire inputs, most duplicated on the back of the machine as well. Do you use a Dolby Digital receiver in your room to watch your DVD movies in 5.1 surround? If so, you'll be glad to know that this Vaio has a digital audio out (phono-coax, not optical) that will send the signal along just fine (once you find all the various soundcard settings that you'll need to set to engage it properly). (You'll only need that one audio cable, because both the DVD audio and the computer's own sounds all go through the same way). Alternately Sony also includes a set of presumably so-so speakers, which frankly they shouldn't, considering how many go straight into a landfill. I was surprised that there's only 4 USB2s...6 would have been nice.

On to the interior: professional reviews mention it is cramped inside the unit, but do they mention how easy it is to add a hard drive? The whole drive cage slides out for easy working, and slides back in easy as pie. Maybe that is standard now, but for me, who was upgrading from an older computer, it was fantastic.

My next thoughts are on the computer's ease of use. These thoughts are firmly entwined with how nice Microsoft's XP Media Center operating system is, which is not unique to Sony. If you're coming from an older operating system like Windows98 you'll love the way the new Windows Explorer gives you nice big previews of your files (photos, etc), and you'll hate the way that Microsoft is trying to prevent you from using any customized start-up screens. The general "look" of XP appears to basically be a rip-off of Apple, but with a bit less style. It is still an improvement over Windows98, aesthetically. There's still the usual Windows weirdness afoot, but less of it, and far fewer crashes.

Use the included remote control to fire up the Media Center in the evening to transform your computer into some kind of Tivo-esque dream machine. Very simple set-up, naturally, since all the Media Center functions are meant to be controlled from the remote control. It downloads a free tv schedule which you can use to tell your computer when to record your favorite shows. I've had tv on my older computer but never with this much ease of use. Press the Media Center button again and it all fades away and you're looking at a regular XP computer again.

Now about video editing and DVD authoring: This can do it all, but to do it well you probably won't want to use the bundled software Sony included, which hasn't won any raves (but is not impossible, as one review suggested). If you supply the better software, for example Sonic DVDIt or Adobe Encore, this Sony's hardware will serve it well.

One complaint about the way the system is set up: As delivered, the My Documents folder resides on the C drive. The hard drive arrives partioned into two parts - C and D. But C is tiny - it has just enough room for a variety of programs and the operating system. To have the My Documents folder there is stupid, considering that people who buy multimedia oriented machines tend to have voluminous collections of images, mp3s, etc.. So before you start compiling all your photos and documents and so forth, first thing you should do - and which Sony should have done for you - is to click on My Documents and opt to MOVE the My Documents folder to the larger D drive. Having done that, the computer is pretty much all set.

The Vaio is cool, it's got a ton of space and a real pretty light. Every connection you could want, except for Optical in/out (only on the newer model -1300bucks?). The problem is the software that comes with SONY products. In all my cases, they have been completely unusable. I've had NO success editing or even capturing video with SONY software. Even with a Vaio, SONY DVCAM deck, AND their lousy software. Their burn programs also refuse to burn wav files that weren't imported using their software, which is a bummer. They're horrible programs, ALL of them. If your going to get this computer, make sure your going to use good NON-Sony editing software that will work with the SONY hardware, which is practically non-existent. So, good luck with that.

As for the computer, The 160 Gig hard-drive is actually 144. 15 for C drive and 129 for "D" drive which is where your video is stored (roughly 10 gigs per hour of high quality video).

After loading programs, your C drive will be around 10 gigs which is half the required space of a two hour video. For some reason all video programs (I've tried 4) need to run the video through the C:drive to write to a DVD-R. So despite the fact that you have a gargantuan hard-drive, YOU STILL MAY NOT HAVE ENOUGH ROOM TO BURN A 2HOUR DISK. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO BURN DVD'S!!

At first when I got this Sony computer, I was very dissappointed with the size of the c: drive. I mainly got this sony because I wanted to copy my vhs tapes to dvd. The click to dvd goes through both drives to work and c: did not seem large enough to do this. For reasons that was my own fault, I had to do a full recovery on the computer. To my surprize, while doing the recovery, the computer will ask you what size you want your c: drive to be. You have a choice between 15, 40,80. I choose 40 and am delighted with the results. It did not affect my D: at all and I have plenty of room to run and edit tapes on my click to dvd. Sony really should make this known that you can change the size of the drive. Every since then , all programs run great . the only downsize is that it takes a little longer for the computer to boot up. With how much improvement it has made on the computer, I am willing to wait the extra minute it takes to boot up.

I bought this unit after I read the other reviews, posted by those good people who took the time to share their opinions and helped me decide, as well as be informed as to what to expect. So now I want to share my experience in hopes that I might be helpful to the next person considering a similar unit.
I'm a writer/editor/web designer, and this one is my fourth Sony Vaio; it arrived only a few days ago, so am not yet finished testing. I bought it from an Amazon.com Marketplace vendor, www.garnetpc.com, an impressive, well-run outlet. The Sales Manager answered all my questions thoroughly, then the unit arrived in excellent condition. I opened the box, set it up in a jiffy, turned it on, connected to Road Runner, whooped when I saw its speed, virtually plug'n play use, and quiet operation.
On the down side, the bundled software is not impressive. On the pro side, the potential is there and will not bust your budget. After I tackle the scary task of transferring VHS to DVD, I shall return for an update. Cheers!

I was a bit leary in regards to this PC after reading some of these reviews, however, I am just a "General" user, I'm not using this PC for a business, just to have nice, easy to create pictures and videos on discs. After toying around with this PC I found it extremely easy to use, loading programs was very fast and easy and the picture downloading time was very fast! For just an overall general usage of this computer, I am very impressed.

i took a month to go through this computers pros and cons and this is my review.

HARDWARE : this pc has many ports(see technical details), these specs are the at the top. from the editorial review "one step down from the exceptional top-of-the-line VAIO PCV-RZ46G". the hard drive is 160g but 14g is for c:/(if you feel the c is too small backup of your data and put only what you want the hard drive) or like a pc hardware fan said move it over to the d drive.

SOFTWARE : this comes with windows xp(pro) media centre, which is great. you can watch dvd's,tv,play music and videos and even watch a slideshow. the media centre allows you to record live tv and rewind and pause tv just like the tivo.
as for sony software the click to dvd has a simple interface which allows you to customise the menus and chapters(not too much though you can't use your own music and pics),it has creative playcentre which is good for ripping mp3's and drag and drop which allows you to easily burn cd's and dvd's.
i haven't used sonicstage or picturegear studio.
if you want to make vcd's then you'll need to download some programs. as for video editing you get windows movie maker 2.
i had some difficulty when it came to capturing clips but after it seems easy. use click to dvd or wmm2.

OVERALL : this pc is great. if you don't like the software then there are a lot of free choices so start downloading. also the hardware is great. its a sony pc and sony boasts quality and they back it up. that's why it deserves a 5.

I've been a computer techie for 25 years. I bought one of these CPU boxes without the extras--no keyboard, mouse, monitor, or remote as an open box special thinking it would be a good base to build on--I have been happy with it. I pumped up the memory to 1.5 GB. I've also added a second external 160 gb USB2 drive, 24" Dell monitor, Harmon Kardon SoundStick II speaker (fabulous sound), and Canon camera.

I like the multi-media connections. I'm still learning how to get the best out of it. The computer runs HD 720i format on my 24" monitor--it is awesome. I highly recommend the larger DELL monitors. This does put the CPU to work--and will max it out if you pause, resize, or try to do other things at the same time--the video will pause, or jump--perhaps missing a beat or two. Still it does a credible job in straight play mode--no skips. Go load Quicktime 7 and pick a few HD videos at that site to test it out.

If you are interested in video, editing video, then only the best and fastest CPU is what you need. So this is not perfect. But it is a good value.

My Vaio has plenty of places to plug in just about anything on the back, it's own TV tuner, and it came with a decent video card--I upgraded mine to a 256mb nVidia 6600 to get 1900x1200 on the display. The 128MB card that comes in it is limited to 1600x1200 on a flat planel, although it will go higher on a CRT monitor--if you eyes can take it.

The combo CD and DVD-burner works great. I'm very happy with it.
I just tried my floppy drive for the first time ever and it didn't work--and I don't care because I never use it.

Regarding the hard drive--the partition concept is a bad idea--always. Never partition a drive. Other people have mentioned various solutions. My plan is to install a 500 GB drive internally and keep the original drive as a backup while I reinstall the software separately onto one huge C drive. One it is working 100% I'll copy over my data and reformat that drive and put it in my Tivo.

I find I run out of storage space fairly quickly with the two partitions. For many software packages, they want to install on C and want to put data on C and that just doesn't work. I don't care about any of the SONY software. I find I don't use it.

Long term review. I have had and OS failure, and I have to purchase a new copy of the OS to repair it. I'm very unhappy with this. I don't feel I should have to pay for the OS twice. My system is sitting unused. I purchased a Mac Pro and switched to OS X and I'm very happy with that. I'd never buy another SONY computer or laptop. While Apple products are expensive. You do get great customer support, the best hardware, and most of the software is top notch.

I am so angry about this machine and SONY REFUSED to admit it is a lemon. I have had it only 24 months. I beg you to Read on before you purchase a SONY.


I bought this machine due to the media center and all the percs, but mostly for the Sony name. Unfortunately Sony has dropped off my list of EVER buying anything from again. I had my hard drive go 1 month out of warranty, the recovery discs (I made 2 copies) did not work, had to beg and plead Sony to replace them, after going through 1.5 hours on the phone 2 separate occasions, and several layers of help, they finally agreed. The rep at Sony admitted it was probably a bad spot in the hard drive when I made them. OH REALLY, then why don't you realize it was a bad drive under warranty?. NO WAY!! 5 months after the 1st replacement hard drive was installed (which I had to purchase) the hard drive went bad again. 18 months after purchase the flatscreen monitor went out. Called, whew it was under warranty for 3 years. Boy, did I luck out, was told it would be at my home in a week. Two weeks later, sweating it out because we were moving to another place, not to mention a different country, I called Sony, they assured me it would be at my doorstep in 3 days. 3 days later, and 3 days before the packers came, I called Sony again, OH NOOOO... They didn't even have it at the monitor replacement center. Wait I was given a RML, I gave Sony the RML when they told me it would be at my doorstep in 3 days. I do have to admit, after all this I finally got a great individual. Not good statistics.. 15 bad, 1 good...99.4% incompetents, not good customer service..... Now, sitting here writing this opinion I am on a friends machine. My motherboard went out. Sony will not do a thing about it. I cannot believe this. $3000 for a computer and all the replacement items, and I am sitting with a machine that will have to have a motherboard replaced. Well, looks like the recycle bin for this. I cannot stand all the stress associated with Sony products. The moral of this story: if:anyone who is going to purchase a Sony Machine, DON'T, if you are hell bent on a Sony, buy the longest warranty offered, take a valium before you call Sony for help, and don't hold your breath for it to arrive at your door. Too bad I have a login name, but I will sign off saying Never going to be Sony Owner Again!!!!!!

This is a great computer! It is great! I enjoy watching TV on my computer and later recording it to DVD! Awesome! The only problem is, however, that I had trouble transferring my VHS tapes to a DVD! I would definitely reccommend this PC to anyone! The programs are great that Sony provides. I hope you purchase this computer!

We read all the customer reviews of this model and many others before deciding on this one. As soon as this machine arrived, I reformatted the HD to make my C drive 40 MB, and then moved My Documents to the D drive, thanks to previous reviewers for those suggestions. Also, another reviewer mentioned having only 4 USB ports, mine has 7.
Probably my biggest issue, which may not affect any other users is the length of the keyboard cable. My previous PC was also a VAIO purchased in 2000, and that cable is atleast 2 feet longer, where's the extra cable? Now my current desk really doesn't work for this PC. On to other issues...
I would have liked to use the Windows Movie Maker with an analog input, I love to make MPGs especially out of my old videos. I was able to route my VCR through my HandyCam, but as soon as you hit the capture key the i.Link makes my cam play the tape in it, which is not the tape I was trying to record. I was able to work around that by using my VCR through my cam and then using DV Gate. While the older version of DV Gate my old PC was alot better than this one, I was able to make AVIs with my VCR. These files run about 100MBs per 30 seconds!! I was then able to export them using DV Gate to my D drive as MPGs knocking that 100MBs down to a more managable 4MBs. With older versions of DV Gate you could just choose MPGs to start with. And my last issue...
In order to use Click to DVD with analog inputs you have to set your TV preference in the Media Center. Since I currently have no plans to hook up cable to this I never did that, but within a half hour of emailing Sony support, I was told to set my cable preference to no TV input. Why, I couldn't tell you, but unless you do that you are not using analog to make DVDs. Over all I have had no real issues with this pc, the software seems to work fine, but I'll imagine 3rd party software to be much better and I may go that route in the future. With out these little issues it could have been 5 stars...