Sony PCV-R545DS VAIO Computer User Guide (primary... User manual

VAIO Digital Studio
Computer User Guide
PCV-R545DS/PCV-R547DS/PCV-R549DS
TM

© 2000 Sony Electronics Inc.
Reproduction in whole or in part
without written permission is
prohibited. All rights reserved.
This manual and the software
described herein, in whole or in
part, may not be reproduced,
translated, or reduced to any
machine-readable form without
prior written approval.
NOTICE
Updates and additions to software
may require an additional charge.
Subscriptions to online service
providers may require a fee and
credit card information. Financial
services may require prior
arrangements with participating
financial institutions.
Sony, VAIO, the VAIO logo, VAIO
Smart, VAIO Digital Studio,Media
Park, DVgate, Media Bar,
Handycam, Mavica, PictureGear
and i.LINK are trademarks of
Sony. Intel, Pentium, and Celeron
are trademarks of Intel
Corporation. Microsoft, Windows,
and the Windows 98 logo are
registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation. All other trademarks
are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective
owners.
Regulatory Information
Owner’s Record
The model number and serial number are
located on the bottom of your Sony VAIO
Digital Studio™ computer. Record the
serial number in the space provided here.
Refer to the model and serial numbers
when you call your Sony Service Center.
Model Number: PCV-R545DS/PCV-R547DS/
PCV-R549DS
Serial Number:________________________
Declaration of Conformity
Trade Name: SONY
Model No.: PCV-R545DS/
PCV-R547DS/
PCV-R549DS/
Responsible Party: Sony Electronics Inc.
Address: 1 Sony Drive
Park Ridge, NJ 07656
Telephone: [phone]
This phone number is for FCC-related matters only.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules.
Operation is subject to the following two
conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.

EEE
Contents
Welcome...............................................................................1
Features.............................................................................................1
Unpacking Your Computer............................................................3
Computer and Supplied Accessories................................................3
Manuals.................................................................................................3
Recovery CDs .......................................................................................4
Other......................................................................................................4
Software Library...................................................................................4
Back Panel Overview ......................................................................5
PCV-R545DS.........................................................................................5
Front Panel Overview .....................................................................7
Setting Up Your VAIO Digital Studio Computer ............9
Registering Your Computer...........................................................9
Using the VAIO Smart™Keyboard and the
Wheel Mouse..................................................................................10
Connecting the Optional Palmrest ..................................................10
Changing the Window Design of Sony Software..........................11
VAIO Action Setup (PCV-R547DS/PCV-R549DS only) ..............11
Using the Wheel Mouse....................................................................12
Using the Standby Function.........................................................13
Standby Mode Indicators..................................................................13
Shutting Down Your Computer..................................................14

EL
Sony Digital Media Park Applications .............................. 15
Media Bar™........................................................................................15
DVgate™Applications .....................................................................15
PictureGear™.....................................................................................15
Smart Capture ....................................................................................15
Using Digital Video........................................................................16
Connecting a Digital Video Recorder .............................................16
Using DVgate......................................................................................16
Hard Drive Partition..........................................................................17
Applications That Use the TWAIN Driver.....................................18
i.LINK (IEEE-1394) Compatibility ...............................................19
Enabling Smart Connect................................................................20
Troubleshooting ................................................................ 21
Using the System Recovery CD(s)...............................................29
Using the Application Recovery CD(s).......................................31
About the Software on Your Computer......................................32
About Your Recovery CDs............................................................37
For Answers to Your Software Questions..................................38
Sony Service Center...........................................................................38
Specifications...................................................................................41
Index................................................................................... 43


Welcome
Congratulations on your purchase of the Sony VAIO Digital Studio™
computer! Your new, high-performance multimedia computer combines
state-of-the-art computer functionality with the latest audio/video and
information technology convergence features.
Features
❑i.LINK®(IEEE-1394): Two built-in i.LINK ports provide you with
front and rear digital connection capability. The i.LINK name and
logo identify a digital interface (IEEE-1394) for high-speed
communication. By using your VAIO Digital Studio Computer, a
camera that supports the i.LINK interface (such as the Sony Digital
Handycam®Camcorder), the DVgate™software preinstalled on
your computer, and the i.LINK (IEEE-1394) interface, you can easily
create and edit your own home videos.
❑Digital Media Park™: This suite of Sony original applications
includes PictureGear,™Smart Capture, DVgate,™and Media Bar.™
Using the i.LINK connector, you can capture, view, and share both
still and video images, then catalog everything for fast and easy
storage and retrieval.
✍For a complete description of the specifications of your VAIO Digital Studio Computer, see
page 41

VAIO Digital Studio Computer User Guide
❑Exceptional performance: Your computer includes an Intel®
processor, a high-speed V.90 compatible data/fax modem,*and the
following high-performance drives:
❑DVD drive: This new optical storage technology provides
increased storage capacity and a rich multimedia computing
experience. Your 8X (maximum) DVD-ROM drive plays both
DVDs and CDs.
❑CD-RW drive: This drive is the ideal solution for making
backups and archiving data, with the ability to store up to 650
MB†of removable, rewritable storage on a single rewritable CD.
Save your movies to CD-R or CD-RW media and share videos
and images with family and friends.
❑VAIO Smart™Keyboard: This PS/2®keyboard has programmable
shortcut buttons for launching your favorite programs or accessing
the Internet.
❑Sony audio and video quality: High-fidelity positional 3D audio
system (A3D™), high-powered 3D graphics (AGP), and “Sony-
Tuned”MPEG digital video playback-enable you to take advantage
of today’s advanced multimedia applications, games, and
entertainment software.
❑Microsoft®Windows®98 Second Edition operating system: Your
system includes the latest operating system from Microsoft.
❑Communications: Access popular online services, browse the
Internet, send faxes, and more.
* Actual upload and download speeds may vary due to line conditions, ISP support, and government
regulations.
 530 M after formatting with Direct CD.

Unpacking Your Computer !
Unpacking Your Computer
Computer and Supplied Accessories
Manuals
❑Read Me First contains Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and
supplementary information about your computer. It also includes
information on how to contact software vendors.
❑The VAIO Digital Studio™ Computer User Guide (this manual) contains
features and specifications for your computer. It also includes
information on the applications included with your system and how
to contact software vendors, get started with your computer, and
solve common problems.
❑The VAIO Consumer Information Guide contains safety and regulatory
information, ergonomic considerations, information on help
resources, and your computer’s limited warranty statement.
❑The Microsoft®Windows®98 Getting Started manual explains how to
use the basic features of the Windows operating system.
Power Cord
Phone Cable
Mouse
Keyboard
System Unit
Speakers
i.LINK Cable
(PCV R547DS and
PCV R549DS only)

VAIO Digital Studio Computer User Guide
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Recovery CDs
❑System Recovery CD(s)
❑Application Recovery CD(s)
Other
❑Setting up your VAIO Digital Studio Computer (poster)
❑Packet containing special product offers
Software Library
The Software Library contains the Microsoft software license agreement,
Sony end-user license agreement, and the following CDs:
❑Microsoft®Word 2000
❑Wild Metal Country®
✍Install your equipment so that you can easily reach the outlet in the event of an emergency

Back Panel Overview #
Back Panel Overview
The back panel of your computer contains the connectors where you plug
in supplied and optional accessories. The icons on the back panel serve as
a map to help you locate the connectors on your computer.
PCV-R545DS
PS/2 Mouse
Keyboard
USB
Serial
Printer/Parallel
Monitor
Games/MIDI
Headphones
LINE IN
Microphone
Power
Line
i.LINK (IEEE-1394)
Telephone

VAIO Digital Studio Computer User Guide
$
PCV-R547DS/PCV-R549DS
✍For your convenience, your computer includes USB and i LINK connectors on both the front
and back panels, allowing you to connect to either set of connectors The i LINK connector on
the back of your system is a 6-pin connector
Power
Line
Telephone
PS/2 Mouse
Keyboard
USB
Serial
Printer/Parallel
i.LINK (IEEE-1394)
Games/MIDI
Headphones
LINE IN
Microphone
Monitor

Front Panel Overview %
Front Panel Overview
The front panel of your VAIO Digital Studio Computer allows for access
to the diskette, DVD, and CD-RW drives. It also includes USB and i.LINK
ports to connect USB devices, digital equipment, or other components.
✍For your convenience, your computer includes USB and i LINK connectors on both the front
and back panels, allowing you to connect to either set of connectors The i LINK connector on
the front of your system is a 4-pin connector
Diskette Drive
CD-RW Drive
Diskette Drive
Access Indicator Light
Diskette
Eject Button
DVD-ROM Drive
Optical Drive
Eject Button
Optical Drive
Indicator Light
Power/Standby
Switch
Power/Standby
Indicator Light
Hard Disk Drive
Access Indicator
Light
USB
i.LINK
Emergency Eject
Hole

&

'
Setting Up Your VAIO® Digital
Studio Computer
Registering Your Computer
Take advantage of Sony’s commitment to quality customer support and
receive these benefits by registering your computer:
❑Sony customer support —Talk to a Support Representative to
troubleshoot problems you may be having with your computer.
❑Limited warranty —Protect your investment. See “Limited Warranty
Statement”in the VAIO Consumer Information Guide for details.
❑On-site service —Provides convenient resolution of problems.
If you did not register the first time you turned on your new VAIO Digital
Studio computer, follow these steps to use the computer online
registration service.
1Click the Sony VAIO Registration icon on the VAIO desktop.
2Enter the information requested on the first online registration form.
3Click the Next button to advance to the next form.
4Complete the remaining forms by clicking the Next button each time
you complete a form.
The computer automatically transfers your registration information
using your built-in modem and a toll-free telephone number.
✍You must register your VAIO Digital Studio computer to extend the warranty for an
additional nine months beyond the initial 90-day warranty period

VAIO Digital Studio Computer User Guide

Using the VAIO Smartc Keyboard and the
Wheel Mouse
Connecting the Optional Palmrest
The keyboard that comes with your computer is equipped with an
optional palmrest that you can attach to your keyboard. Follow these
steps to connect the palmrest.
1Place the keyboard and palmrest upside down on a flat surface.
2Insert the latching posts on the palmrest into the openings on
the keyboard.
3Move the palmrest to the right until you feel it snap into place.
To remove the palmrest
1Turn the keyboard and palmrest upside down.
2Push down on the palmrest, and then move it to the left.
3Lift the palmrest away from the keyboard.
✍Do not keep your wrists on the palmrest while typing; use the palmrest briefly only
when resting

Using the VAIO Smart Keyboard and the Wheel Mouse 
Changing the Window Design of Sony Software
To change the window design of Sony software:
1Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2Click UI Design Selector.
3Click << or >> and select the desired design.
4Click Apply.
The “UI Design Selector”window design changes. The window design
for your Sony software will match the “UI Design Selector”window.
To try another selection, click << or >>. Then, click OK.
The UI Design Selector closes and the window design of your Sony
software window design displays.
VAIO Action Setup (PCV-R547DS/PCV-R549DS only)
VAIO Action Setup manages the settings for your computer’s Shortcut
keys (S Keys) and i.LINK interface.
To change the settings of the S Keys:
1From the Start menu, point to Programs/VAIO Action Setup/VAIO
Action Setup. Alternatively, double-click on the Windows taskbar.
VAIO Action Setup opens.
2Click the S Key whose setting you want to change.
3From the Select Application dialog box, click the radio button for the
desired type of function. The corresponding applications appear in
the list box on the right. You may also use the Drag&Drop feature to
assign any application by simply dragging and dropping the
application into the list box. Click the application you want to assign
to the S Key. Click Next to finish this step.
4The Confirmation Application Name window appears showing you
the application you have selected. Click Next.
5You may now type a new name and description, if desired. Then,
click Finish.
✍You may use the feature with UI Design Selector-compatible software only

VAIO Digital Studio Computer User Guide

To pre-set your i.LINK-equipped device to launch a desired function,
such as automatically starting DVgate applications or connecting two
VAIO computers:
1Open VAIO Action Setup, as described in step 1 above.
2Click i.LINK.
3Click the Advanced Setting tab.
4Click the Enable i.LINK launcher function checkbox. Then, click
Apply.
5Connect the device to your computer with your i.LINK cable
(supplied with PCV-R547DS and PCV-R549DS only).
6Turn on the device.
7The VAIO Action Setup dialog box appears. Click OK.
8To modify the device name, click the current device name in the list
box and click Modify device name. Type the desired name and click
Apply.
9To assign an application, click Modify.
10 The Select Application dialog box appears. Select the desired
application and click Next.
11 Click Next to confirm the application name.
12 The Input Application Name dialog box appears. You may change
the name and description of the application you want to launch. Click
Finish to complete this step. Next time the device is connected and
turned on, the assigned application will launch automatically.
Using the Wheel Mouse
For information on the Wheel Mouse, see MouseWare Help. To access
MouseWare Help, from the Start menu, point to Programs, MouseWare,
and then click MouseWare Help.

Using the Standby Function !
Using the Standby Function
When you are done using your computer, you can put it in standby mode
rather than turn it off completely. Putting the computer in standby mode
allows you to return quickly to normal computer use and saves energy.
To put the computer in standby mode
1Save your work and close any applications that are running. (You can
leave the Windows®operating system running.)
2Press the (Standby) button on the top of the keyboard (or press the
power switch momentarily on the front panel of the computer).
The computer goes into standby mode.
Alternatively, you can click the Start button on the Windows taskbar, click
Shut Down, select Standby, and then click OK.
To let the computer go into standby mode automatically
Click the My Computer icon on your desktop. Click Control Panel, and
then click the Power Management icon. On the Power Schemes tab, select
from the options in the Power schemes drop-down list. Then, choose
settings for the power scheme you have selected. To save the settings
under a name that is not offered in the Power schemes pull down menu,
choose your settings and then click Save As. Type in a name, and click
OK. Click Apply to finalize your power settings.
To resume from standby mode
Press the space bar on the keyboard, click the left mouse button, or press
the power switch on the front panel again.
Standby Mode Indicators
You can tell which mode the computer is in by the color of the power
indicator light.
Color Mode
Amber Computer is in standby mode.
Green Computer is out of standby mode, ready to use.
No color Computer is turned off.
✍The computers fan runs at low speed when the computer is in standby mode This is normal

VAIO Digital Studio Computer User Guide
"
Shutting Down Your Computer
When you are ready to turn off your computer for an extended period of
time, use the following procedure to shut down the computer.
To shut down your computer
1Click the Start button on the Windows®taskbar to open the Start
menu.
2Click Shut Down to display the Shut Down dialog box.
3Select the Shut down option.
4Click OK to complete the shutdown process.
5Wait for your computer to turn off automatically —the power
indicator light turns off.
6Turn off the display and any other peripherals connected to your
computer.
!To avoid the potential loss of data, do not use the power switch to shut down
the computer.
✍If you plan to shut down your computer for a short period of time, you may want to use
standby mode instead See Using the Standby Function on page 13
✍Respond to any prompts about saving documents

#
Sony Digital Media Park
Applications
Media Bar
Media Bar software is your all-in-one solution for audio/video playback.
Media Bar softwarehandles all common computer multimedia formats, and
controls selected Sony devices. Media Bar software encompasses audio/
video library cataloging and playlist management, in addition to digital
video quality control and effects features. Media Bar seamlessly integrates a
variety of new media formats with an easy-to-use software interface.
DVgate Applications
DVgate makes it easy to edit digital videos. You can capture, edit, and
grab digital video clips and then assemble them into a polished home
video everyone will enjoy. You can also use DVgate to capture individual
frames from digital video clips, and then save them as graphic files.
Enhance your Web page, send family and friends your favorite stills,
create your own wallpaper. The possibilities are endless.
PictureGear
PictureGear is a digital image management application that allows you to
see all the images stored in any directory on your computer. Thumbnail
views provide quick reminders of your pictures. Brighten, contrast,
enhance, resize, crop, and color-correct your pictures. Create panoramic
views, animations, screen savers, wallpaper, and even HTML photo albums.
Smart Capture
Smart Capture is a fun new way to send multimedia messages via e-mail.
Smart Capture manages the i.LINK connection between your computer
and a Sony Digital Handycam Camcorder, or other cameras that support
the i.LINK interface. Smart Capture allows you to capture and compress
video or still images that you can save or share via e-mail. Captures are
low resolution, making it ideal for e-mail. For high-quality captures, use
DVgate.

VAIO Digital Studio Computer User Guide
$
Using Digital Video
Connecting a Digital Video Recorder
Before connecting a digital video camera recorder to your computer, turn
off the power on the camera. After connecting the camera, turn the power
back on. You do not need to turn off the computer when connecting a
camera.
Using DVgate
When capturing clips:
❑Do not use DVgate when the connected digital video peripheral is in
Timer Recording mode, as this could produce a malfunction in the
peripheral.
❑Captures larger than 2 GB (9 minutes and 30 seconds) are
automatically continued in a second file.
❑You can record stereo audio (stereo 1) while capturing video. You
cannot add audio on the stereo 2 track after capturing the video data.
❑You cannot use different audio modes on the same tape. You should
perform a separate capture for each audio mode you wish to use.
❑DVgate does not support hard disk compression. You should not use
disk compression if you are planning to work with DVgate.
❑Title data is saved in the flash memory of a digital video camera and
is not transferred to tape by DVgate.
❑To avoid interruption of capture sessions, you should disable the
screen saver.
❑The drop frame compensation feature does not provide accurate
compensation adjustments for tapes recorded in LP mode.
❑For tapes that include a mixture of both SP and LP mode, the
information displayed by the capture progress indicator may not be
accurate.
❑Make sure the video head of your digital video device is properly
cleaned. Anomalies that you see in captured data could be due to
dust or other particles on the video head.
❑The last frame captured is one frame before your selected [OUT]
point. The frame you see immediately after clicking the [OUT]
button is not captured.