Sony VAIO VGC-V617G Desktop PC (Intel Pentium 4 Processor, 512 MB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, Dbl Layer DVD+R/DVD+/-RW Drives)

by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 19 x 15.7 x 11.3 inches ; 28.7 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 41.8 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0009IC8SK
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 19, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sony VAIO VGC-V617G TV-PC brings exceptionally high-quality television to your desktop computer. With Sony's original Motion Reality and XBRITE technologies, you'll enjoy the same viewing experience as you do on the Sony television in your living room. And, when you're feeling creative or ready to work, simply bring out the wireless keyboard and mouse to experience uncompromising computing performance. You can also record your favorite TV programs to the hard drive using the Giga Pocket personal video recorder (PVR) software or save them for later viewing by burning a DVD via the dual-layer, multiformat DVD+/-RW drive. Other features include a hyper-threaded 3.2 GHz Pentium 4 processor, spacious 200 GB hard drive, 1 GB of installed RAM, integrated 54g wireless networking, and a wide assortment of Sony multimedia software for editing and managing your digital content.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: It comes with a 200 GB Ultra ATA hard drive (7200 RPM), which will store hundreds of hours of recorded TV programming and digital audio. You can boost your storage space by adding optional external hard drives via the USB 2.0 or Firewire ports.
• Processor: The hyper-threaded 3.2 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor 540 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 1 MB L2 cache and a blazingly fast 800 MHz front-side bus speed, which measures how fast a processor and the main memory communicate, and a 1 MB L2 cache. (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 VGC-V617G offers a good start with 512 MB of installed PC-3200 DDR RAM (400 MHz). You'll want to max out the 1 GB total in order to easily handle complex, immersive worlds in your favorite video games and edit digital video.
• 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. For DVD-RW discs, it has a 8x write/4x rewrite speed, while for DVD+RW discs it has a 8x write/4x rewrite speed (DVDs are read at 8x). For double-layer DVD+R, it has a 2.4x write speed. For CDs, it has a 24x write/rewrite/read speed.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This TV-PC comes with a wireless keyboard and optical mouse, as well as an IR remote control.

Screen, Graphics and Sound
The Nvidia GeForce FX Go5700 supports playback of high-definition content. You'll enjoy an immersive cinematic experience when playing back DVDs as well as smooth gameplay. It features 128 MB of dedicated DDR video RAM. The flat-panel 17-inch screen has a 1280 x 1024 pixel resolution. The integrated audio card offers 16-bit Sound Blaster Pro-compatible audio through the internal speakers.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The VGC-V617G has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's fully compatible with 802.11b/g wireless networks. For expansion, this TV-PC has a good variety of external and video connections, including:

• 4 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 2 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals (both 4-pin)
• 1 S/PDIF out
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 VGA/DVI monitor port
• Composite and S-Video video/audio inputs (front and rear)
• 1 microphone, 1 headphone, 1 line-in
• 1 infrared port for remote control
• 1 RF in
• Memory Stick reader, compatible with Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, and Memory Stick DUO
• 1 PCMCIA (Type I/Type II card slot with CardBus support)

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Fast Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software
This system comes with the Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 operating system with Advanced Security Technologies, which helps to reduce unwanted downloads and pop-ups while surfing the Web. Record and watch your TV programs with the Personal Video Recorder (PVR) powered by Giga Pocket Engine, which makes it easy and convenient to record upcoming programs and entire series via on-screen program listings and navigation. It also comes loaded with a bevy of Sony multimedia software: Vaio Zone with WinDVD (for watching DVD movies), Click to DVD (DVD creation) PictureGear Studio (digital photo), SonicStage (digital music), Vaio Media (network file sharing), and DVgate Plus (digital video). Other preloaded software includes Quicken 2005 New User Edition, Microsoft Works 8.0 (with word processing, spreadsheet, and calendar), Norton Internet Security (with 90-day subscription), and SpySubtract.

Dimensions and Weight
The VGC-V617G measures 19.1 x 15.7 x 11.3 inches (WxHxD) and weighs approximately 29 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony Vaio VGC-V617G TV-PC, IR remote control and receiver, wireless keyboard, and wireless optical mouse. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty.

Product Description

Includes: IR remote control & receiver, wireless keyboard, wireless optical mouse, Microsoft Windows XP Home with Service Pack 2, Adobe Photoshop Album Starter Edition, Photoshop Elements 2.0, Works 8.0, Office 2003 (60-day trial student/teacher edition), Quicken 2005 New User Edition, & more Sony VAIO(R) VGC-V617G Desktop PC - This desktop Computer features Sony's Giga Pocket. The Giga Pocket let's you watch and record TV on your computer, as well as capture video. Coupled with the included DVD writer, you can capture old VHS tapes to make your own DVD movie! And with the 3.2E GHz Intel Pentium 4 Processor 540, 512MB of PC3200 DDR SDRAM, and a 200GB hard drive, you have plenty of power and room for capturing video, and much more! 512MB of PC3200 DDR SDRAM (expandable to 1GB) NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5700 AGP 8x graphics with 128MB of memory Giga Pocket MPEG2 Realtime Encoder board with TV Tuner and Motion Reality technology DVD Writer - (write speeds) up to 2.4x Double Layer DVD+R, 8x DVD+R, 8x DVD-RW, 4x DVD+RW, 4x DVD-RW, 24x CD-R, & 24x CD-RW DVD Writer - (read speeds) up to 8x DVD-ROM & 24x CD-ROM 56k v.90 Fax Modem Memory Reader - Memory Stick, Memory Stick(R) PRO, & Memory Stick(R) Duo 1 PCMCIA Type I/II PC Card Slot (CardBus support) Ports - 10/100 Ethernet Port, 4 USB 2.0, 2 4-pin FireWire, 1 S/PDIF Out, Composite S-Video/Audio Inputs (front & rear), Headphone Out, Microphone Out, 1 RF Input, & 1 Line-In Unit Weight - 29 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Really wanted to like it, but will be returning it., December 1, 2005

By 

D. Anderson (Alexandria, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGC-V617G Desktop PC (Intel Pentium 4 Processor, 512 MB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, Dbl Layer DVD+R/DVD+/-RW Drives) (Personal Computers)

What can I say? I REALLY wanted to like this computer: It looks beautiful (the screen is incredibly vivid), and the prospect of a single, sleek, wireless integrated unit replacing my desktop and its massive tangle of wires was extraordinarily appealing. Unfortunately, the execution is less promising than I had hoped, and certainly less than one should expect from a $1700 system, so I will regretfully be returning it.

First, the built-in DVD+-R drive is spotty in its performance, and does not inspire confidence as a long-term workhorse. It's a Sony DW-D56A -- a slim drive used in notebooks, that has a number of noted performance complaints online. The few DVDs I've tried burning in it are not as broadly compatible and error-free as the ones I used to burn w/ the old Pioneer drive in my prior desktop, and they freeze up at various points during playback in a couple different stand-alone DVD players. Also, the drive has trouble even reading certain discs, including some new, scratch-free storebought DVDs I've tried in it. Finally, the drive feels (as most notebook drives do) very flimsy and shaky. Because it is mounted vertically in the back of the unit, and one must snap discs onto the drive spindle, the drive tray is unsupported and gets pushed back every time one inserts a disc. I support the bottom/back of the tray w/ my other hand to avoid stressing the flimsy tray while I'm snapping a disc in, but I worry that over time that puppy just aint gonna hold up. And that's one problem w/ an all-in-one, integrated system: There's no easy swapping out or upgrading the system.

Second, I also bought this system because it was advertised as being bundled w/ a Microsoft Office suite that includes Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. But, upon installation, I learn that it's only a 60-day trial, which will require another $150 from me if I want to keep the software operational. I'm quite tired of advertisements and trials posing as bundled software, and can buy a new, legit copy of that suite online for about half that amount. Pretty deceptive, if you ask me.

Finally, as w/ my prior VAIO system, it comes pre-loaded/integrated w/ all sorts of other software that is unwelcome and obtrusive. There are an unbelievable number processes running in the background that notably slow system performance. But because it's difficult to know how Sony has integrated the software into the system architecture, it's dangerous to start removing programs and components.

So, if I wanted to spend another 400 bucks (for a software suite, external DVD burner, etc.) I could probably get this system to do what I need it to. But w/ the extra wires and cost, it kinda defeats the purpose behind my original purchase, which was pretty pricey to begin with.

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice package but definitely has its faults, March 15, 2006

By 

IT Slave - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGC-V617G Desktop PC (Intel Pentium 4 Processor, 512 MB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, Dbl Layer DVD+R/DVD+/-RW Drives) (Personal Computers)

I have bought two of these machines for my workplace. The display is great. It's crisp and vivid. The design of the machine is also nice. Definitely looks good in the office. The downfall of this machine are the peripherals that come with it. I had trouble with the mouse getting reception on both machines, even after replacing the batteries. Also after a few weeks of use on BOTH machines that ive purchased, the DVD-RW drive will no longer open. You can push the button, but nothing happens. Ive been coping with that problem by using a paper clip to open the drive. Luckily it's still under warranty, but a large annoyance to have to go through the Sony Support process.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Works as good as it looks., September 4, 2005

By 

DMH (Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGC-V617G Desktop PC (Intel Pentium 4 Processor, 512 MB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, Dbl Layer DVD+R/DVD+/-RW Drives) (Personal Computers)

I love this computer. The only problem that I had was that there are no instructions for the keyboard and mouse. I had a hard time getting them to work. But, once that was straighted out, it is a good system.