Sony Vaio - Opinions

[J_UNTITLED]

It appears that as far as notebooks go, the Sony Vaio has the highest resolution (1920 x 1200) although as far as sound goes I'm not sure if theirs is the best (I know the XPS M2010 Dell notebook apparently comes with 7.1 capabilities). For anyone out there who has purchased one, how have you overall liked it? How is Blu-ray playback on it? How is everything else?

[J_UNTITLED]

...Anyone?

[dadkins]

Well, my VGN-AR190G does have Optical out for audio, and there does seem to be a setting for 7.1 *AND* 7.1 Wide... no idea personally on how or what works with it.

The "Digital Audio Setup" PDF states 5.1 capabilities for various softwares:

"The VGN-AR Series notebook computer is equipped with an optical 3.5mm mini-plug TOSLINK jack. The
optional docking station accessory (sold separately) uses a standard TOSLINK jack, instead. TOSLINK cables
(not included) usually come with standard connectors so 3.5mm plug adapters may need to be purchased
separately. When using the optical S/PDIF connection, the notebook computer has no control over volume
levels to the home theater receiver or surround sound decoder device. Volume control is handled by the audio
equipment."

"❑ Microsoft® Windows® - In the Sound Reality™ Control Panel, disable ‘HDMI Output’ and enable ‘Dolby
Digital Live’ settings. Ensure that you select ‘5.1 surround sound speakers’ in the Sounds and Audio
Devices Control Panel.
❑ Windows Media Center - In the Set Up Your Speakers screen reached from Settings > General > Media
Center Setup > Set Up Your Speakers menu section, select ‘5.1 surround speakers’, ‘Toslink (digital)’, and
complete by selecting ‘I heard sound from my speakers’ at the Test Your Speakers menu. In the InterVideo
Welcome to Audio Settings menu reached from Settings > DVD > Audio > Configuration area, ensure that
‘Analog - 5.1 Channel’ is set for for ‘Set sound output to match your system’ setting.
❑ InterVideo WinDVD™ for VAIO - After starting InterVideo WinDVD, ensure that ‘6 Channel (5.1 Home
Theater)’ is set in the Audio Speaker Configuration section, reached from the Setup > Audio tab.
❑ Windows Media Player - After starting Windows Media Player, ensure that ‘6 speaker mode (5.1
Channel)’ is set in the iviaudio menu, reached from the Tools and Options > DVD > Advanced area.
If you have questions about this information, please call 1-888-476-6972, visit Sony Customer Service on the
Sony online support Web site at http://esupport.sony.com/EN/VAIO, or write to the Sony Customer Information
Service Center at 12451 Gateway Blvd., Ft. Myers, FL 33913, USA"

Control Panel Sounds and Audio Devices has a setting for 7.1... who knows...

BD playback? Awesome!
The 1920x1200 screen is great!
PQ is... well, perfect!

I like it!

[JTK]

Only thing that's kind of concerned me on the Vaio line is price. How would you folks gauge that, overall? Too overpriced for what it is? Other than that, I've always liked what I've seen.

[dadkins]

Originally Posted by JTK

Only thing that's kind of concerned me on the Vaio line is price. How would you folks gauge that, overall? Too overpriced for what it is? Other than that, I've always liked what I've seen.

Considering what the price of ANY BD drive is... and the fact that the VAIOs can actually display Full 1080p - as well as connect to any HDCP compliant HDTV... yeah! It was worth it!

I kinda like being able to take HD with me when I go somewhere - albeit all too infrequently, I can do it!