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India Press Store - 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
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List Price: $1,649.99
Our Price: $1,649.99
Your Save: $ ( % )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Sony
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Average Customer Rating:   
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Batteries Included: 1
Binding: Personal Computers
Brand: Sony
Color: Black
CPU Manufacturer: Intel
CPU Speed: 2.1
CPU Type: Intel Core Duo
EAN: 0027242737754
Feature: Futuristically styled round, white multimedia PC for use in your living room/entertainment center
Hard Disk Size: 500
Label: Sony
Manufacturer: Sony
Model: VGX-TP20E/B
Processor Count: 2
Publisher: Sony
Release Date: 2008-03-25
Studio: Sony
System Memory Size: 2000
System Memory Type: DDR2 SDRAM
Variation Description: Black
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Features
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Futuristically styled round, white multimedia PC for use in your living room/entertainment center
2.10 GHz "Penryn" Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 processor, 500 GB hard drive, 2 GB RAM (4 GB max), Blu-Ray Disc playback (as well as DVD and CD burning)
Integrated NTSC (standard) and ATSC (digital) TV tuners, HDMI audio/video output
54g Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), 10/100 Ethernet, Nvidia GeForce 8400M graphics with up to 1023 MB of available memory
Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium (with Media Center capabilities); includes wireless keyboard and remote
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Smokin' performance....5 stars!
Comment: I owned an HP Z558 that failed miserably as well as an Apple TV that sucked too! The most recent failure was a brand new Dell Studio Hybrid. At long last, after 3-4 years of searching, I finally found the digital equivalent of nirvana (the state of mind, not the grunge band). For the record, I put 4GB of memory into this PC before I even plugged it in, all my previous experience told me this was needed. The Sony Vaio VXG-TP20E/B is worth every penny...FYI: I paid $1149 on eBay brand new. The form factor & design is elegant yet classy while the performance is scorching. The Core 2 Duo processor runs 2.1GHz with 4GB RAM and a 500GB HD spinning @ 7200rpm. The 802.11g is fast enough for streaming media seamlessly and downloading is pretty zippy too! The wireless keyboard has a slight learning curve but it's the best of the genre. Blu-Ray discs a 1080i look great on my Niko 32" OTP-3211W conneccted by HDMI-DVI cable. The sound from the VGX-TP20E/B via TOSLINK into my Logitech Z5450 5.1ch surround is fine for my ears. Like I mentioned earlier, I added memory to max out 4GB plus the addition of a 1TB Firewire ext HD is electronic media bliss.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great design, BUT...
Comment: 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.
** UPDATE **
Good news, if you have the Media Center TV pack 2008 update it will recognize QAM tuners (like HDhomerun) and it works like a charm, so you can get your unencrypted digital cable channels including HD.
Bad news, despite what the specs say it does NOT support dual layer DVD's. It's not a problem with just the recovery discs application, there's no way to use DL DVD's which is terrible if you want to back up your HD recordings.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Requires some tech-proficiency, but awesome product
Comment: If you know a little about computers, particularly audio and video drivers, then you will love this product!
Customer Rating:
Summary: really a 3.5 rating
Comment: 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?
Customer Rating:
Summary: Info comment about previous review
Comment: 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
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Editorial Reviews:
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The well-rounded VAIO(R) TP20 Home Theater PC with Blu-ray Disc technology is a super-powerful entertainment PC for your TV. Featuring analog and digital TV tuners and DVR capabilities, the VAIO(R) TP20 Home Theater PC with a massive 500GB hard drive lets you store up to 50 hours of HD programming for on-demand enjoyment. View pictures, DVDs and stunning Blu-ray Disc HD videos on your TV. Backed by the next-generation Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 processor, the VAIO(R) TP20 Home Theater PC is packed with all the power you need to surf the web, watch viral video and view and record HD programming on your big screen TV. Browse the web and e-mail from your sofa using the built-in 802.11b/g WiFi, Wireless Keyboard and Remote Control. Pre-installed with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium with a spectacular new look, instant Search, built-in Windows Media Center, and automated PC security features. NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT with 256MB dedicated Video Memory with up to 1023MB shared TV Tuner with NTSC and ATSC support Blu-Ray Disc Read BD-R/-RE/-ROM/DVD+-R/RW Drive with Double Layer Intel High Definition Audio 802.11b/g Wireless 10/100Base-TX Ethernet Built-in Memory Stick(R) Pro and Memory Stick(R) Duo with MagicGate(TM) Card Reader Built-in Secure Digital (SD) media slot Back ports - 4 x USB 2.0, IEEE 1394, Headphone, Microphone, S/PDIF Output, IR Outputs, VGA, HDMI, RJ-45 Expansion slots - 2 x PCI (one available), PCI Express x16 (occupied) Approximate Unit Dimensions - 10.63 Diameter x 3.58 Height Approximate Unit Weight - 8.16 Pounds Monitor is not included
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