Sony PCG-GRZ615G Quick start guide

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Software Guide
PCG-GRZ series

Software Guide
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Notice
This product contains software applications owned by Sony and licensed by third parties. Use of such software application is subject to
the terms and conditions of licence agreements enclosed with this product. Software specifications are subject to change without notice
and may not necessarily be identical to current retail versions. Updates and additions to software applications 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.
© 2003 Sony Corporation. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
End user software licence agreement
This End User Software Licence Agreement (the EULA) is a legal agreement between you and Sony Corporation (hereinafter referred
to as Sony), a corporation organised under Japanese Law, the manufacturer of your Sony computer system (the SONY HARDWARE).
Please read this EULA carefully before installing or using the software applications distributed together with this EULA (the SONY
SOFTWARE). By installing or using the SONY SOFTWARE, you agree to be bound by the terms of this EULA. You may use the SONY
SOFTWARE only in connection with the use of the SONY HARDWARE. SONY SOFTWARE is licensed; not sold.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, software distributed together with separate End User Software Licence Agreement (the Third Party
EULA), including but not limited to Windows®operating system provided by Microsoft Corporation, shall be covered by the Third Party
EULA.
If you do not agree to the terms of this EULA, please return the SONY SOFTWARE together with the SONY HARDWARE to the place
where you obtained it.
1. Licence. This SONY SOFTWARE and the related documentation are licensed to you by Sony. This EULA allows you to use the SONY
SOFTWARE for your personal use for a single SONY HARDWARE outside a network and only to make one copy of the SONY SOFTWARE
in machine-readable form for back-up purposes only.

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2. Restrictions. The SONY SOFTWARE contains copyrighted material and other proprietary material. In order to protect them, and
except as permitted by applicable law, you may not decompile, reverse engineer or disassemble the SONY SOFTWARE in whole or in
part. Except for the transfer of the SONY SOFTWARE together with the SONY HARDWARE and prior agreement of the recipient to be
bound by the terms and conditions of this EULA, you may not sell or rent the SONY SOFTWARE and its copy to any third party.
3. Limited Warranty. Sony warrants the media on which the SONY SOFTWARE is recorded to be free from physical defects for a period
of ninety (90) days from the date of purchase as evidenced by a copy of the receipt. During the applicable warranty period, Sony will
replace free of charge such media proved to be defective, provided they are returned properly packaged to the place where you
obtained it, together with your name, address, and proof of date of purchase. Sony will have no responsibility to replace media
damaged by accident, abuse, or misapplication. The above limited warranty replaces all other representations, conditions and
warranties, whether express or implied, by statute or otherwise and Sony expressly disclaims all other warranties and all conditions
including, but not limited to, the implied warranties and/or conditions of satisfactory quality and fitness for a particular purpose. The
terms of this limited warranty do not affect or prejudice your statutory rights as an ultimate consumer, neither do they limit or exclude
any liability for death or personal injury caused by the negligence of Sony.
4. Termination. This EULA is effective until terminated. You may terminate this EULA at any time by destroying the SONY SOFTWARE,
related documentation, and all copies thereof. This EULA will terminate immediately without notice from Sony, if you fail to comply
with any provision of this EULA. Upon termination you must destroy the SONY SOFTWARE, related documentation, and all copies
thereof.
5. Governing Law. This EULA shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Japan.
Should you have any questions concerning this EULA or this limited warranty, please refer to the Customer Service Guide on how to
contact VAIO-Link.

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ENERGY STAR®
As an ENERGY STAR®Partner, Sony has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR®guidelines for energy efficiency. The
International ENERGY STAR®Office Equipment Program is an international program that promotes energy saving through the use
of computers and their office equipment. The program backs the development and dissemination of products with functions that
effectively reduce energy consumption. It is an open system in which business proprietors can participate voluntarily. The targeted
products are office equipment such as computers, displays, printers, facsimiles and copiers. Their standards and logos are uniform
among participating nations.
ENERGY STAR is a U.S. registered mark.

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Trademarks
Sony, PictureGear Studio, DVgate, i.LINK, MovieShaker, Network Smart Capture, Sony Notebook Setup, UI Design Selector, VAIO Edit
Components, Sony Style Imaging, SonicStage, Memory Stick and the Memory Stick logo, VAIO and the VAIO logo are trademarks of
Sony Corporation. Microsoft, Windows and the Windows logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of U.S. Microsoft Corporation
in the U.S. and other countries.
EverQuest is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc.
i.LINK is a trademark of Sony used only to designate that a product contains an IEEE1394-connection.
Adobe, Adobe Photoshop Elements and Adobe Acrobat Reader are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
QuickTime and the QuickTime logo are trademarks used under licence. QuickTime is registered in the U.S. and other countries.
RealOne Player is a trademark or registered trademark of RealNetworks, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries.
PowerPanel is a trademark of Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
Symantec Norton AntiVirus is a trademark of Symantec Corporation.
All other names of systems, products and services are trademarks of their respective owners. In the manual, the ™ or ®marks are not
specified.
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners.

Software Guide
Registering your VAIO
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Registering your VAIO
It only takes a few moments to register your Sony VAIO computer.
By registering your computer, you can take advantage of Sony’s commitment to quality customer support
and receive the following benefits:
❑Club VAIO – Online support, tutorials, tips and tricks, news, news forums, competitions, free downloads
and software applications updates.
❑VAIO-Link – If you are experiencing any problems with your computer, you can check the VAIO-Link
website for a possible solution: http://www.vaio-link.com.
❑Guarantee – Protect your investment. See the Guarantee sheet for the terms and conditions and refer
to your Troubleshooting Guide for more information.
To register your Sony VAIO computer, proceed as follows:
1Set up an Internet connection (see also Configuring your modem (page 87)).
2Double-click the VAIO Online Registration icon on the desktop.
You can also find the link on the Start menu.
3Change your language if necessary and click Next.
4Click Register Now and then click Next.
This brings you to the website https://registration.sonystyle-europe.com/vaio/registration.asp.
5Fill in your first and last name.
The serial number of your computer is entered automatically.
6Click Submit.
7Enter your details as required and click Submit.
Your VAIO is registered and a thank you screen appears.
If you entered an email address, you will receive a confirmation email from Club VAIO.
✍Once you have registered, you can access VAIO Online Registration at any time to update your details without filling in the survey.

Software Guide
About the software delivered with your computer
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About the software delivered with your computer
This section gives you an overview of what you can do with the software delivered with your computer.
The software package includes preinstalled software as well as applications which you can install from the
supplied application CD. Please see the printed Specifications sheet to see which software is preinstalled,
and then the Application CD guide booklet for installation details.
Your preinstalled software can mostly be found under Start / All Programs.
Sony software applications
DVgate
Sony Electronics
DVgate is a kit of 3 complementary applications: DVgate Motion, DVgate Still, and DVgate Assemble. This
collection makes it easy to select and edit digital video clips, then bring them together into a professional-
looking home video. Use i.LINK™ to connect your digital video camera, and the computer operates as an
editing desk that can capture, preview, cut and assemble your selection and save the sequences in AVI or
MPEG 1 & 2 formats. DVgate Still displays digital video images sent from a digital videocassette recorder or
a digital video camera recorder (only possible if you have DV In/Out on your camera or at least a DV Out for
DV Gate Still), and saves them as graphic files on your hard drive.
See Using DVgate (page 16).

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EverQuest
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
EverQuest is a popular software game that can be played simultaneously by multiple people on the Internet.
The link placed on your Windows®desktop brings you to the EverQuest website where you can find out
more.
ISP Selector
Sony Electronics
With the ISP Selector you can easily install the Internet Service Provider you want to use. Just choose your
country and your language in the drop-down lists and the available providers appear. Click the Install
button next to the ISP and the installation begins.
✍Once you have selected your country, you can only set up ISPs for that country.
MovieShaker
Sony Electronics
MovieShaker®creates personal movies - complete with transitions, special effects, background music, and
text. All you do is import your clips, pick the tune you want and MovieShaker®does the rest. You can also
choose to take control and produce your very own movie. You choose the exact order of clips, special effects,
and transitions. You can also import your own music and MovieShaker®will automatically match the length
of the song to the length of your movie.
See Using MovieShaker (page 32).

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Network Smart Capture
Sony Electronics
Network Smart Capture is an application for capturing still and moving pictures using a digital camera or a
USB camcorder connected to your computer. This software allows you to view the photos you capture and
send them to various destinations. It includes a web camera feature which you can set up to capture images
at timed intervals, without you being in the room!
See Using Network Smart Capture (page 38).
PictureGear Studio
Sony Electronics
PictureGear Studio is easy-to-use software that is designed to help you get the most enjoyment out of your
photographs taken with a digital camera. With the PictureGear Studio software, you can easily load photos
into your computer, create photo albums and make prints. PictureGear Studio’s features include a photo
album and printing studio.
See Using PictureGear Studio (page 60).
SonicStage
Sony Electronics
SonicStage is a software application that uses OpenMG technology, a copyright protection technology
developed by Sony Corporation and designed to allow recording and playback of digital music data on a
personal computer. Once the data is encrypted and recorded onto the hard disk, OpenMG technology allows
it to be played back on the PC but prevents unauthorised distribution. The purpose of OpenMG technology
is to create an environment in which larger quantities of high-quality music can be distributed without
subsequent unauthorised distribution of the music files.
The SonicStage software encrypts and manages music files either downloaded to a personal computer by

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About the software delivered with your computer
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using the EMD services or adopted (or created) from your own CD or the Internet.
To use the CD-R functions, you will need to install the CD-R module from the supplied application
CD-ROM.
See Managing audio files with SonicStage (page 50).
Sony Notebook Setup
Sony Electronics
Use Sony Notebook Setup to consult system information, specify preferences for system behaviour, and set
up a power-on password for your Sony computer.
See Setting up your notebook with Sony Notebook Setup (page 84).
Sony Style Imaging (shortcut on the desktop)
Sony Electronics
Sony Style Imaging is an easy way to share your digital pictures and videos with family and friends. Use Sony
Style Imaging with Network Smart Capture and MovieShaker to make the most of your images and movies.
When you sign up as a Sony Style Imaging member, you can store your pictures and even order prints.
Go to the following website to join for FREE:
http://www.sonystyle-imaging.com
UI Design Selector
Sony Electronics
You can change the window design of the Sony software applications compatible with UI Design Selector.
See Changing your windows design with the UI Design Selector program (page 89).

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VAIO Edit Components
Designed as a plug-in for Adobe®Premiere®, VAIO Edit Components includes special features to support
your i.LINK™-DV devices, so you can produce superior quality home movies even after editing. Now you can
control the DV device from your computer, import and edit the movie, and then export it back to the DV
device. To be able to use the Sony software application VAIO Edit Components, you must first install Adobe®
Premiere®version 6.0* on your computer.
* available for purchase.
Product Recovery CD-ROMs
Sony Corporation
The Product Recovery CD-ROMs allow you to reinstall the system, the software applications shipped with
your computer and the bundled device drivers if they are corrupted or accidentally erased. Reinstalling an
individual device driver may correct a problem you are experiencing with your computer, without you
having to recover the entire system.
!You can only use the Recovery CD-ROMs on the Sony computer you purchased, and not on any other Sony PC or other manufacturer's PC.
See Using the product recovery CD-ROMs (page 105).

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Operating system and other software
Windows®XP Home Edition with Service Pack 1
Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft®Windows®XP Home Edition allows you to enjoy a new level of reliability that helps your
computer stay up and running. If anything does go wrong, you can quickly roll back to the state your system
was in when all was well. The new, simpler visual design lets you use your computer the way you want. If
you share a computer with other users, you can each enjoy your own personal preferences because this
Windows®operating system enables your computer to handle multiple activities at the same time.
Windows®XP Home Edition automatically shields your computer from unauthorised access when you are on
the Internet.
For questions and technical assistance, go online to:
http://support.microsoft.com/directory
Internet Explorer 6.0
Microsoft Corporation
Internet Explorer is the Microsoft Internet browser allowing you to surf the World Wide Web. The Setup
Wizard configures your computer to connect automatically to your service provider. A full e-mail package
enables you to send and receive mail - including attached files - across the Internet. NetMeeting, Outlook
Express and Microsoft Chat are just some of the components bundled with Internet Explorer 6.0. Internet
Explorer 6.0 also includes 128-bit encryption, the highest possible level of protection for all your Internet
communications, including credit card use and financial transactions. A complete online tutorial helps new
users become comfortable using the Internet.
For questions and technical assistance, go online to:
http://support.microsoft.com/directory

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Adobe®Acrobat®Reader 5.1
Adobe Systems Incorporated
Acrobat®Reader software allows you to view, navigate, and print electronic documents in Adobe Portable
Document Format (PDF), an open file format that is intended to preserve the conformity of documents
created on all major computer platforms. With Acrobat®Reader, you can open and view PDF files from
within your Web browser by clicking a PDF file embedded in an HTML file. You quickly see the first page
while the rest of the document is being downloaded.
For questions and technical assistance, go online to:
http://www.adobe.com
Adobe®Photoshop®Elements
Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe®Photoshop®Elements introduces the next generation of image editing with powerful new features
that offer something for every user. Delivering the broadest and most productive toolset available,
Photoshop®Elements helps you explore your creativity, work at peak efficiency, and achieve the highest
quality results across all image media.
For questions and technical assistance, go online to:
http://www.adobe.com
PowerPanel
Phoenix Technologies
The PowerPanel utility controls the power management of your computer and provides key information
about system activity and battery life. Automatic power management selects the most appropriate profile,
depending on the application you are working with and the conditions of use.
See Managing power (page 77).

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QuickTime 5.0
Apple
QuickTime is the Apple technology that makes video, sound, music, 3D and virtual reality come alive for your
Internet browser and Windows.
For further information, see the website at:
http://www.apple.com/quicktime
RealOne Player
RealNetworks
RealOne Player is the RealNetworks video and audio player which lets you manage all major types of media
in one. Its many features allow you to access over 3000 radio stations with music, news and sports; play and
save audio files and create your own audio CDs; and organise your audio and video clips locally before
transferring them to portable storage devices.
http://www.real.com
Symantec Norton AntiVirus (as setup on the hard drive)
Symantec
This software package includes a 90-day free subscription to virus definition updates.
With Norton AntiVirus, you can scan files, folders, or entire drives for viruses, and quarantine infected files
for submission to the Symantec AntiVirus Research Centre (SARC). Files submitted to SARC are analysed and
the results are reported automatically within seven days. When you configure Norton AntiVirus adequately,
your computer is safe. Norton AntiVirus can automatically check boot records for viruses at system startup,
check programs for viruses at the time you use them, scan all local hard drives for viruses once per week, and
monitor your computer for any activity that might indicate the work of a virus in action. It can also scan files
you download from the Internet and check floppy disks for boot viruses when you use them.

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You must launch the Norton AntiVirus installation, and you will then be prompted to update the virus
definitions. This is normal as new viruses will have come out since your VAIO left the factory.
For more information, see the online help files and the website at:
http://www.symantec.com/techsupp
VAIO Web Phone
CallServe Communications Ltd.
Once you have purchased the USB telephone, this Internet Telephone enables you to make telephone calls
from your PC via the Internet to any other phone. You can make international calls at significantly lower
prices and make phone calls and surf the web at the same time - on just one phone line.
For more information, see the online help files and the website at:
http://www.callserve.com/EN/help/index.asp
WinDVD for VAIO
InterVideo, Inc.
InterVideo Inc.'s WinDVD for VAIO is a simple-to-use DVD player. WinDVD for VAIO combines all the
features you would expect to find on a standard consumer DVD player, in addition to some very advanced
functionalities, full precision video decoding, a choice of user interfaces and video display options. You can
play DVD movies, interactive DVD titles, MPEG video content, video and audio CDs. WinDVD for VAIO
automatically determines the type of disc in the DVD drive and uses the correct playback method.
For questions and technical assistance, go online to:
http://www.intervideo.com

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Using Video software
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Using Video software
The following video software applications are delivered with your VAIO. Check the printed Specifications
sheet to see whether they are preinstalled. Then read the printed Application CD guide for installation
details, if applicable.
❑Using DVgate (page 16)
❑Using MovieShaker (page 32)
❑Using Network Smart Capture (page 38)

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Using Video software
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Using DVgate
DVgate is a software application that enables you to capture and then edit images taken with digital video
devices (DV devices), such as digital video camera recorders, on your personal computer. It also gives you the
ability to output the edited material for recording on a DV device.
With DVgate, you can easily perform image editing with your computer and a DV device.
DVgate consists of 3 applications:
❑DVgate Motion;
❑DVgate Still;
❑DVgate Assemble.
✍Depending on the computer settings, frames may be lost during video capture and frame duplication when recording edited videos. Please make sure
you configure your computer according to the recommended settings to prevent this from happening. To configure your computer to use DVgate, refer
to the Online help of DVgate.

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Using Video software
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Using DVgate Motion
With DVgate Motion you can capture video and record edited videos on a DV device.
❑Capturing videos:
You can automatically or manually capture any scene or portion of the images recorded on a DV
device, such as a digital video camera recorder. What is more, you can specify the exact scenes that you
want to capture while watching the tape playback on the monitor. You can then choose to save the
selected scenes as separate files or as one file.
❑Recording edited video on a DV device
You can record the edited video on tape using a DV device, such as a digital video camera recorder*,
connected to the computer. With DVgate, you are not limited to recording single clips, but you can
record a series of clips on the DV device at one time.
To launch DVgate Motion, proceed as follows:
1Connect the camera to the computer with the i.LINK™ cable and turn on the camera.
2Click Start, All Programs, DVgate, DVgate Motion.
DVgate Motion and the Monitor windows appear.
* The digital video camera recorder must have a DV-IN connector.
Capturing videos
You can automatically or manually import videos onto your computer.
To automatically import videos onto your computer, proceed as follows:
1Make sure you have installed DVgate from the application CD-ROM, if applicable (see the printed
Specifications sheet and Application CD guide).
2Launch DVgate Motion.

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Using Video software
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3Click the down arrow and select Import-Auto from the Mode drop-
down list.
Use the DVgate camera controls buttons to play, rewind or fast forward
the tape to the selected time code to begin capturing.
4Press Play to start the video.
The video begins to play in the Monitor window.
5Click Mark to mark the beginning of the first segment.
The first frame of the segment to be captured is displayed in the In/Out
list window.
Click Mark again to mark the end of the segment to be captured.
The last frame of the segment to be captured is displayed in the In/Out
list window.
Continue to mark as many segments as you want.
6Click Capture to import the selected video segment or click Capture All
to import them all at once.
The Save as a file window appears.
7Select the location to save the file.
8Click the Save button.
DVgate captures the segments.
The Capturing complete message appears.
9Click OK in the DVgate Motion window to finish.
Information about the capturing process is displayed in the Report window.
10 Click OK.
11 Exit DVgate Motion.
The Dvmotion2 window appears on the screen.
You can then save the In/Out list, which allows you to capture the same video sequences later on, or
change the In/Out settings.

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Using Video software
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✍Make sure that the camera is in Video Tape Recorder mode (VTR) when capturing or playing back video from or to a tape.
If you want to manually import video onto your computer, refer to the DVgate online help file.
Recording edited videos on a DV device
To record edited videos on a DV device, proceed as follows:
1Adjust the recording correction values.
2Add files to the Record List.
3Record remotely or manually the video on the DV device.
Adjusting the recording correction values
To ensure accuracy in the recording, you can specify recording correction values. Adjustment of the
recording correction values is especially important when performing splice recording. You can choose to
specify the values yourself or to have them automatically adjusted by using the automatic calibration
feature. The values generated by the automatic calibration feature are usually correct.
To automatically adjust the recording correction values, proceed as follows:
1Launch DVgate Motion.
2Click the down arrow and select Export - Auto from the Mode drop-down list.
3Select Adjust on Recording… from the Settings menu.
The Adjust on Recording dialog box appears.
4Click the AutoAdjust button.
DVgate Motion activates the connected DV device and automatically finds the adjustment values.
5Click OK.
✍To manually adjust the recording correction values, refer to the DVgate online help file.