Sony Giga Pocket User manual

Giga Pocket™
Personal Video Recorder
Getting Started Guide

NOTICE
© 2001 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.
Sony cannot warrant that the functions described in this guide will be uninterrupted or error-free.
Sony also assumes no responsibility, and shall not be liable for any damages to, or viruses that may
infect, your computer equipment, or other property on account of your access to, use of, or browsing
in any described Web site, or your downloading of any materials, data, text, images, video, or audio
from any described Web site. Web site information is obtained from various sources and may be
inaccurate. Copies of copyrighted information may only be made for legally permissible purposes.
Sony, VAIO, and Giga Pocket are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony.
Memory Stick and are registered trademarks of Sony Corporation.
Microsoft and Windows are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other
trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

3
Contents
Giga Pocket
Personal Video Recorder......................................5
About Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder................................. 5
Locating Controls, Ports and Jacks ....................7
Front Panel Overview ..................................................................... 7
Back Panel Overview.................................................................... 10
Remote Control Overview............................................................ 12
Setting Up.............................................................15
To Set Up TV Connections........................................................... 15
To Set Up Additional Equipment ................................................. 21
Setting Up Giga Pocket for TV Viewing.............27
Setting Up TV Viewing ................................................................ 27
Giga Video Recorder .................................................................... 29
Timer Recording Manager............................................................ 32
Timer Recording Wizard ...............................................................35
Video Explorer.............................................................................. 37
Playlist Builder ............................................................................. 40
PicoPlayer ..................................................................................... 42
CLIÉ Converter............................................................................. 45
Simple DVD Maker.......................................................................48
Troubleshooting ..................................................51
Topics............................................................................................ 51
Notes On Use................................................................................ 54
Glossary ........................................................................................ 56
Index .....................................................................59

Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder
4

5
Giga Pocket
Personal Video Recorder
Giga Pocket™ Personal Video Recorder is a suite of interactive Sony audio
and video components that is designed to create, capture, and play back
video files derived from television and your own personal videos.*
About Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder
Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder is a unique set of tools that enhances your
VA I O ®computer’s capabilities. Giga Pocket gives you a wide range of video
viewing, recording, and playback capabilities, such as:
❑Watching and recording television from your computer.
❑Viewing and recording TV programming simultaneously.
❑Setting and managing daily/weekly timer recording schedules.
❑Managing Video Capsules (recorded video contents) on your computer.
❑Recording personal video content from a videotape.
❑Playing your Video Capsules on other computers.
❑Creating custom Playlists.
❑Operating Giga Pocket functions with a remote control device (remote
commander).
❑Sharing Giga Pocket features and functions with other computers on a network
system.
.
Accessing the Giga Pocket Help file
For more information about Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder features, follow
these steps to access the Giga Pocket Help file:
1Click Start in the Windows®taskbar and select All Programs
2Select Giga Pocket and click Giga Pocket Help.
* Unauthorized duplication of audio or video files is a violation of applicable laws.
✍For an explanation of Giga Pocket terms and their definitions, see the Glossary..

Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder
6
Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder includes:
❑Giga Video Recorder — This application enables you to watch TV
programs on your computer’s display and record them onto the hard disk
drive as Video Capsules for later playback.
❑Timer Recording Manager — The Timer Recording Manager keeps track
of all TV program recordings you have scheduled. This program also
enables you to modify timer recordings.
❑Timer Recording Wizard — The Wizard interface guides you through
setting up a timer recording schedule. You can program one-time recordings
and set up daily or weekly recurring recording schedules.
❑Video Explorer — The Video Explorer program functions as your video file
management system, and stores recorded Video Capsules as well as
modified Playlists. Video Explorer contains export/import functions for file
format conversions.
❑Playlist Builder — The Playlist Builder is a video editor that enables you to
generate Playlists by selecting various cuts (scenes) from multiple recorded
Video Capsules, and arranging them in any desired sequences for playback.
❑PicoPlayer — This optional Video Capsule player application can be
attached to Video Capsules that are exported with Video Explorer. You can
play a Giga Pocket Video Capsule on computer systems that do not have
Giga Pocket installed, if such systems support PicoPlayer software
requirements.
❑Giga Pocket Server — The Giga Pocket Server enables multiple computers
on a network to use certain Giga Pocket software functions. While this
feature is running, you can play back Video Capsules and manage timer
recordings from any linked computer that has PicoPlayer installed.
Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder maintains information about the
software and Video Capsules on your computer’s drive D, in a folder named
D:/Giga Pocket. This folder and its contents are not designed for your direct
maintenance. Please do not move, modify or delete the Giga Pocket Folder
or any of its contents. Any alteration to this folder or its contents may cause
your Giga Pocket software and Video Capsules to stop working properly.

7
Locating Controls, Ports
and Jacks
Your VAIO Digital Studio™computer is equipped with leading edge
technology in audio, video, computing, and communications. This section
describes the controls, ports and jacks located on the front and back
panels of your system.
Front Panel Overview
The front panel of your computer enables access to the optical and floppy disk
drives. The front panel also provides access to Giga Pocket Personal Video
Recorder jacks and ports, Universal Serial Bus (USB), and i.LINK®ports to
connect compatible peripheral devices.
✍i.LINK is a trademark of Sony used only to designate that a product contains an
IEEE1394 connection. The i.LINK connection may vary, depending on the software
applications, operating system, and compatible i.LINK devices. All products with an
i.LINK connection may not communicate with each other.
Please refer to the documentation that came with your compatible i.LINK device for
information on operating conditions and proper connection. Before connecting
compatible i.LINK PC peripherals to your system, such as an optical or hard disk drive,
confirm their operating system compatibility and required operating conditions.

Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder
8
Front panel
1 Optical drive 1
See the Specifications sheet for optical drive information.
2 Optical drive 2
See the Specifications sheet for optical drive information.
3 Floppy disk drive
Reads and writes data from and to a 3.5-inch floppy disk.
4 Floppy disk drive access indicator light
Lights in green while reading and writing data from and to a floppy disk.
5 Optical drive access indicator light
Lights in amber while reading and writing data from and to the optical drives.
6 Hard disk drive access indicator light
Lights in amber while reading and writing data from and to the hard disk.
7 Power switch and indicator light
Turns the computer on and off. The indicator light is blue while the power is on and
amber when the computer is in Stand by mode.

Front Panel Overview
9
8 S-video In port
Connection for an S-video cable (optional).
Video In jack
Connection for a video cable (supplied).
Audio L In jack/Audio R In jack
Connection for an audio cable (supplied).
9 Optical drive 1 eject button
Ejects a disc from Optical drive 1.
10 Optical drive 2 eject button
Ejects a disc from Optical drive 2.
11 Memory Stick media slot
Reads and writes data from and to a Memory Stick media.
12 Floppy disk eject button
Ejects a floppy disk from the floppy disk drive.
13 Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports (2)
Connections for compatible USB devices.
14 i.LINK (4-pin) port (IEEE1394)
Connection for a compatible digital device.
✍For your convenience, your computer includes Giga Pocket, USB, and i.LINK ports and
jacks on both the front and back panels. (The 4-pin i.LINK port is located on the front
panel and the 6-pin i.LINK port is located on the back.)

Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder
10
Back Panel Overview
The back panel of your computer contains the ports for supplied and optional
accessories. The icons on the back panel locate and identify the ports on your
computer.
Back panel
1 Mouse port
Connection for a PS/2® mouse.
2 Keyboard port
Connection for a PS/2 Keyboard.
3 Ethernet port
10Base-T/100Base-TX Fast Ethernet interface.
(The port marked with (Network) is for LAN connections only.)
4
3
2
1
LINE
VIDEO
OUTPUT
S VIDEO
/ VIDEO
AUDIO VHF
/UHF
VIDEO 1
INPUT
S VIDEO
/ VIDEO
AUDIO
MONITOR
KEYBOARD MOUSE
PRINTER
HEADPHONES
MIC
LINE IN
USB NETWORK
ACT
LINK
SERIAL
i.LINK
S400
OPTICAL
OUT

Back Panel Overview
11
4 Universal Serial Bus (USB) port
Connection for a compatible USB device.
5 Printer port
Connection for a parallel device, such as a printer or scanner.
6 S/P DIF optical out port
Connection for a digital audio or optical device.
7 i.LINK 6-pin port (IEEE1394)
Connection for a compatible digital device such as a Sony Digital Handycam®
camcorder.
8 Serial port
Connection for a compatible serial device, such as a digital still camera.
9 Headphones jack
Connection for the supplied speakers or optional headphones.
10 Line In jack
Connection for an audio device.
11 Microphone jack
Connection for a microphone (optional).
12 Monitor port
Connection for a standard CRT display.
13 Audio Out jack
Connection for an audio cable (supplied).
Video/S-video Out port
Connection for a video cable adapter (supplied) or an S-video cable (optional).
14 Audio In jack
Connection for an audio cable (supplied).
Video/S-video In port
Connection for a video cable adapter (supplied) or an S-video cable (optional).
15 Modem line jack
Connection for the modem (supplied) cable to the wall jack.
16 AC Input port
Connection for the supplied power cord.
17 VHF/UHF port
Connection for a coaxial cable (supplied).

Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder
12
Remote Control Overview
The features of the Giga Pocket™Personal Video Recorder system are
controlled with the remote control (supplied). The remote control can start and
stop video recording and playback, select channels, and set viewing preferences.
This section describes the basic functions of your remote control.
Remote Control Features

Remote Control Overview
13
1 MUTE button
Press to turn off the sound. Press again to restore the sound.
2 Channel number buttons
Press to select specific channels. (Press the ENT button to activate channel selection.)
JUMP button
Press to return to the previous channel. Press again to return to the current channel.
ENT button
Press to activate channel selection. See channel number buttons.
3 AUDIO button
Press to view available sound mode options on the monitor/display.
4 TV/VIDEO button
Press to change the onscreen image from the TV/Recording deck to external video
equipment, such as your VCR.
5 DVD angle button
Not available for Giga Pocket functions. See the DVD player software instructions for
more information.
DVD Subtitle button
Not available for Giga Pocket functions. See the DVD player software instructions for
more information.
SIZE button
Press to view Giga Video Recorder in full-screen size. Press again to return the view to
its original size.
DISPLAY button
Press to display the TV/Recording deck and playback deck screens. Press again to hide
these views.
6 REW and FF buttons
Press to rewind or fast-forward video content, while playing back video capsules.
PREV and NEXT buttons
Not available for Giga Pocket functions.
7 DVD TITLE button
Not available for Giga Pocket functions. See the DVD player software instructions for
more information.
8 CANCEL button
Press to close any error message dialog box. The window returns to its original size
when displayed in full-screen mode.
9 STANDBY button
Press to place the Windows Me™operating system into standby mode.
10 GIGA POCKET button
Press to launch Giga Pocket Video Recorder. Press again to exit Video Recorder.
DVD button
Press to launch Media Bar DVD Player. Press again to exit Media Bar DVD Player.

Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder
14
11 CHANNEL button
Press to switch channels automatically (no number input required).
12 VOLUME button
Press to raise or lower the volume.
13 REC Mode button
Press to select the recording mode.
REC and REC STOP buttons
Press the REC button to record TV programs being viewed on the TV/Recording deck.
Press REC STOP to stop recording.
DECK SEL button
Press to select the TV/Recording deck or playback deck.
14 PLAY STOP, PLAY and PAUSE buttons
Press to stop playback, play, and pause playback of video capsules on the playback deck.
15 VIDEO CAPSULE SEL/DVD MENU button
Press to display the “Select Video Capsules”window. Press again to minimize the
window.
16 Direction and ENTER buttons
Press a direction arrow to select a cabinet or video capsule in the “Select Video Capsule”
window. Press ENTER or the right direction arrow to select a cabinet or video capsule.
17 DVD RETURN button
Not available for Giga Pocket functions. See the DVD player software instructions for
more information.
✍For more details about the function buttons on your remote control, see the Giga
Pocket Help file.

15
Setting Up
This section illustrates how to set up the cables and connections for your
Giga Pocket™Personal Video Recorder system.
To Set Up TV Connections
The best method of connecting your computer system, TV monitor or display,
and cable service access, depends on the type of cable connection available in
your home.
Connecting to standard cable access (CATV)
Option 1
1Connect one end of the coaxial cable (supplied) to your cable service access.
2Connect the other end of the coaxial cable to the VHF/UHF jack on the back
panel of your computer.
✍Your VAIO®Computer is supplied with certain audio and video cables. Depending on
your in-home cable access, you may require extra cables, adapters or connection
equipment not supplied with your computer.
To connect in CATV mode (Option 1)
4
3
2
1
LINE
VIDEO
OUTPUT
S VIDEO
/ VIDEO
AUDIO VHF
/UHF
VIDEO 1
INPUT
S VIDEO
/ VIDEO
AUDIO
MONITOR DVI
Cable service access
(wall outlet)
Coaxial cable
(supplied)
VHF/UHF jack

Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder
16
Option 2
1Connect one end of the coaxial cable (supplied) to your cable service access.
Connect the other end to the single-connection end of a splitter adapter.
2Connect a second coaxial cable (optional) to the double-connection end of
the splitter adapter. Connect the other end to the VHF/UHF jack on the back
panel of your computer.
3Connect a third coaxial cable (optional) to the double-connection end of the
splitter adapter. Connect the other end to the VHF/UHF jack on the rear of
your TV monitor or display.
Connecting to a standard antenna (air)
You can connect your Giga Pocket system to an indoor/outdoor antenna system,
using Option 1 or 2 from the previous section, “Connecting to standard cable
access (CATV).”Depending on the type of antenna system in your home, your
connection may require a VHF/UHF RF combiner/transformer (optional) to
connect your computer and the indoor/outdoor antenna system.
To connect in CATV mode (Option 2)
✍If you are connecting to an indoor/outdoor antenna, you may need to reorient the
antenna for best reception.
Cable service access
(wall outlet)
4
3
2
1
LINE
VIDEO
OUTPUT
S VIDEO
/ VIDEO
AUDIO VHF
/UHF
VIDEO 1
INPUT
S VIDEO
/ VIDEO
AUDIO
MONITOR
Coaxial cable
(supplied)
Splitter
(optional)
Coaxial cable
(optional)
Coaxial cable
(optional)
VHF/UHF jack
VHF/UHF

To Set Up TV Connections
17
Option 1
1Connect one end of the coaxial cable (supplied) to your antenna outlet.
Connect the other end to a VHF/UHF RF combiner/transformer (optional).
2Connect a second coaxial cable (optional) from the combiner/transformer to
the VHF/UHF jack on the back panel of your computer.
Option 2
3Connect both ends of the antenna’s twin lead cable to the screw-type grips on
the combiner/transformer.
4Connect a second coaxial cable (optional) from the combiner/transformer to
the VHF/UHF jack on the back panel of your computer.
To connect in standard antenna mode (air)
✍Your VAIO®Computer is supplied with certain audio and video cables. Depending on
your in-home cable access, you may require extra cables, adapters or connection
equipment not supplied with your computer.
4
3
2
1
LINE
TELEPHONE
VIDEO
OUTPUT
S VIDEO
/ VIDEO
AUDIO VHF
/UHF
VIDEO 1
INPUT
S VIDEO
/ VIDEO
AUDIO
MONITOR DVI
Coaxial cable
(supplied)
Antenna
system
(Air)
300-ohm
Twin lead cable
(optional)
Antenna
System
VHF/UHF RF
Combiner/Transformer
(optional)
Coaxial cable
(optional)
VHF/UHF jack
Option 1
Option 2

Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder
18
Connecting with a cable or satellite set-top box (STB)
You can connect your Giga Pocket system to cable service access that uses a set-
top box (cable or satellite).
Option 1
1Connect one end of the coaxial cable (supplied) to your cable service access.
Connect the other end to the In jack on the back panel of your set-top box
(STB).
2Connect a second coaxial cable (optional) to the Out jack on your STB.
Connect the other end to the single-connection end of a splitter adapter
(optional).
3Connect a third coaxial cable (optional) to the double-connection end of the
splitter adapter. Connect the other end to the VHF/UHF jack on the back
panel of your computer.
4Connect a fourth coaxial cable (optional) to the double-connection end of the
splitter adapter. Connect the other end to the VHF/UHF jack on the rear of
your TV monitor or display.

To Set Up TV Connections
19
Option 2
1Connect one end of the coaxial cable (supplied) to your cable service access.
Connect the other end to the In jack on the back panel of your set-top box
(STB).
2Connect a second coaxial cable (optional) to the Out jack on your STB unit.
Connect the other end to the VHF/UHF jack on the rear of your TV monitor
or display.
3Connect one end of the video cable (supplied) to the Video Out port on the
back panel of your STB unit. Connect the other end of the video cable to the
jack end of a video cable adapter (supplied).
To connect in STB mode (Option 1)
VHF/UHF
IN
VHF/UHF
OUT
4
3
2
1
LINE
TELEPHONE
VIDEO
OUTPUT
S VIDEO
/ VIDEO
AUDIO VHF
/UHF
VIDEO 1
INPUT
S VIDEO
/ VIDEO
AUDIO
MONITOR DVI
Cable service access
(wall outlet)
Coaxial cable
(supplied)
Set-top box (STB)
Coaxial cable
(optional)
Coaxial cable
(optional)
Coaxial cable
(optional)
Splitter
(optional)
VHF/UHF
j
ack
VHF/UHF jack

Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder
20
4Connect the video connector end of the video cable adapter into the Video/S-
video In port on the back panel of your computer.
5Connect the double-jack end of the audio cable (supplied) into the Audio-
Out (L/R) jacks on the back panel of your STB unit. Connect the single-jack
end of the audio cable into the Audio-In jack on the back panel of your
computer
To connect in STB mode (Option 2)
VHF/UHF
IN
VHF/UHF
OUT
Video cable
(supplied)
Audio cable L/R
(supplied)
Coaxial cable
(1-supplied)
MIC
4
3
2
1LINE
TELEPHONE
VIDEO
OUTPUT
S VIDEO
/ VIDEO
AUDIO VHF
/UHF
VIDEO 1
INPUT
S VIDEO
/ VIDEO
AUDIO
MONITOR DVI
VHF/UHF jack
Video cable adapter
(supplied)
Audio-OUT (L/R)
Audio-IN (L/R)
Video-IN
Video-OUT
Cable
service
access
(wall outlet)