Sony 2004 Annual Report Download - page 17

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Chapter two of the VAIO story:
Television picture quality on your PC
Picture quality virtually indistinguishable from an
LCD television—The VAIO type V’s picture quality
has broken the conventions for a PC
Since its debut in 1996, VAIO PC has enhanced
the AV experience of the user through the con-
vergence of audio and visual contents and Sony
took the industry lead through the introduction of
a function that allows users to watch television on
their PC. However, watching television on a PC
used to present problems as, due to the limita-
tions of the PC format, the quality of the televi-
sion images tended to deteriorate as the screen
size increased. In the search for a solution to this
problem, the developers of VAIO turned their
attention to the television technology of Sony’s
Wega, which facilitates outstanding picture qual-
ity. This technology uses a powerful IC chip that,
through Sony’s unique high-quality picture image
circuit Motion Reality, allows the high-quality
display of video images. The engineers thought if
this chip could be utilized, they might be able to
produce images of television quality on a PC
screen. At this point, the developers of VAIO
embarked on a project that would confound the
conventional logic of the PC.
Until then, problems involved with viewing
television on a PC screen had been overcome
through the clever utilization of software or the
optimization of hardware performance. However,
whereas a television screen displays a single, full-
screen image, on a PC the user has the ability to
alter the size of the window, containing the
image as they see fit. Therefore, to produce a
television-quality image on a PC, engineers had to
overcome the challenges of adapting a chip
originally developed for AV devices; optimizing its
performance for the PC; and allowing television-
quality images to be displayed on the adaptable
window sizes of a PC.
VAIO type V is the result of these efforts. Its
20-inch screen generates television images with
quality on a par with those of an LCD television.
With its dazzling picture quality, this new VAIO is
pioneering uncharted territory for PCs.
Never before could a PC have delivered this kind
of enjoyment
But even then, Sony’s engineers chose not to stop
If VAIO type V can be used like a television, then
why can’t it also be used, at the user’s discretion,
to watch television anywhere in the home? To
allow this, the new VAIO has a tilting mechanism
that can be used to angle the screen downward,
a first for a PC. But there’s much more: a 360-
degree swivel stand; a wireless keyboard and
mouse; speakers that deliver high-quality dynamic
sound over a larger area; minimal fan noise; and
much more. All these features add up to make
the VAIO type V everything its creators intended:
a revolutionary PC that is as easy to use as a
television. The PC is also installed with an MPEG
hardware encoder board that can make high-
quality recordings of television programs. A single
remote control handles everything from television
functions to hard disk recordings and DVD opera-
tions. The concept of AV and PC convergence,
central to the VAIO lineup, is now entering a new
phase—one that will open up a new chapter in
PC history.
Yoichiro Hachiya
Assistant Manager
Product Planning Dept.
IT Company
IT & Mobile Solutions Network Company
Naoki Kameyama
Senior Engineering Manager
Hardware Design
Section 3, Department 4
IT Company
IT & Mobile Solutions Network Company
I want to see LCD television-
quality images on my PC
This PC is equipped with Sony’s exclusive
high-quality picture image circuit Motion
Reality. There’s also a fast response 20-
inch television-grade LCD screen
equipped with broad viewing angles.
Furthermore, the Clear Black LCD delivers
a vivid picture with excellent quality
contrast and brightness even when
displaying light colors or jet black.
I only want to see the
keyboard and mouse when
they’re needed
With a wireless keyboard and mouse,
VAIO type V eliminates the need for any
kind of wired connection. The keyboard
and mouse can be put away until
they’re needed again.
Can a PC double as both a
video deck and DVD recorder?
The hard disk drive (HDD) in the VAIO
type V can record up to approximately
103 hours of television programs. The
timer function, used to record programs,
can also be set via the Internet.
It would be great if I could do
everything with a remote
control
The stylish remote control is an integral
part of this PC. At the touch of a button
you can watch television, enter a timer
recording setting, change channels,
adjust the volume or perform various
other tasks.
http://www.sony.net/
File 04: PC “VAIO”
[VGC-V201]
High-quality picture image circuit Motion Reality
The VAIO type V’s AV entertainment menu