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PCV-T: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Complete PCV-T.png|alt=Complete PCV-T|thumb|Complete PCV-T]]
{{Infobox Specs
| name        = Sony VAIO PCV-T
| image        = Complete PCV-T.png
| subtitle    = PCV-T
| series      = PCV-T series
| rel          = 1997
| cpu          = Intel Pentium II 233 MHz, 266 MHz, 300 MHz, 400 MHz
| gpu          = ATI 3D RAGE II/PRO (4 MB VRAM)
| memory      = 128 MB SDRAM (4 slots; expandable to 192 MB)
| storage      = IDE HDD 4.3 GB – 13 GB
| optical      = 8× CD-R ATAPI drive
| display      = 17″ Trinitron (70 kHz) with built-in speakers & mic
| expansion    = 3 × PCI, 1 × PCI/ISA combo, 2 × ISA
| tv tuner    = Channels 1–62 (stereo audio)
| video capture= S-Video/composite input; real-time MPEG-1 encoder
| os          = Microsoft Windows 95/98
| weight      = 13.5 kg
| size        = (not specified)
| msrp        = (not specified)
}}


== Overview ==
== Overview ==
 
The Sony VAIO PCV-T was a compact desktop “component” PC system released by Sony in 1997 in Japan (equivalent to the PCV-70 in the USA). Building on the PCV-70/90 legacy, it featured a dark-purple metal front panel that slid down to reveal an 8× CD-R drive and 3.5″ floppy, plus S-Video and composite inputs. Unique at launch was its real-time MPEG-1 encoder (initially a ¥10 000 option, later bundled), allowing video capture from TV sources straight onto Video-CDs via Sony’s Slipclip software.
The Sony VAIO PCV-T was a desktop PC component system released by Sony in 1997. It was the Japanese version of the PCV-70, which was first released in the USA. It was released one year after the PCV-70, but was upgraded in almost every way, from CPU to GPU to storage. 
[[File:PCV-T with front panel removed.png|thumb|PCV-T with front panel removed]]
 
The rear I/O included VGA out, composite and S-Video out, 3.5 mm audio out, serial, parallel (printer), PS/2, USB, and TV-in. Internally, it housed an Intel Pentium II CPU, ATI 3D RAGE II/PRO graphics on AGP, up to 13 GB IDE storage, and up to 192 MB SDRAM across four slots.
It featured multimedia capabilities (for the time) with a focus on audio and video playback and recording, vie the CD-Drive. As DVD hadn't been commercialised yet, consumers used it to write video to Video-CDs (VCDs) which they would then play back on the big screen. 
[[File:PCV-T with front panel removed.png|alt=PCV-T with front panel removed|thumb|PCV-T with front panel removed]]
It is the evolution of the PCV-70/90 series and features the same metal build with a signature dark-purple VAIO colour front panel that slides down to reveal the CD-R and Floppy drive, S-Video and composite inputs. The PC was special at the time because it included a real-time MEPG-1 encoder (costing an extra 10,000 yen, which was made standard shortly after release), one of if not the first PC to do this. With this new MPEG encoding, it was able to record video from the front composite and S-Video ports and edit it onto a Video-CD (VCD) using the bundled VAIO Slipclip software.  
 
The rear of the PCV-T has many outputs, including VGA, Composite,  S-Video, 3.5mm Audio out and many inputs, including Serial, Audio, Printer cable, TV in, USN and PS/2.
[[File:Rear of the PCV-T.png|alt=Rear of the PCV-T|thumb|Rear of the PCV-T]]
 
== Detailed Specs ==
 
'''Processor:''' Intel Pentium II 233, 266, 300, 400MHz
 
'''Graphics:''' ATI 3D RAGE II/PRO (4MB VRAM) (AGP)
 
'''Memory:''' 128MB SDRAM (officially expandable to 192MB), 4 slots
 
'''Storage:''' 4.3GB to 13GB IDE HDD
 
'''Optical drive:''' 8x CD-R ATAPI drive
 
'''Display:''' 17" Trinitron (70KHz) with speakers, woofers and a microphone
 
'''Expansion Slots:''' Three PCI, one PCI/ISA, two ISA
 
'''TV Tuner:''' Channels 1-62, stereo audio
 
'''Video Capture:''' S-Video/composite input, MPEG-1 real-time encoder
 
'''Operating System:''' Windows 95/98
 
'''Weight:''' 13.5kg


== Daily Usage Today ==
== Daily Usage Today ==
The PCV-T series is now unusable for any modern tasks except for the things that it could do back in the day, such as some basic old gaming, word processing and spreadsheets. Obviously this is now a collectors item that no one is going to use for any modern tasks, though if used it should most definitely be upgraded with a SSD and more RAM, which can be hard to find.
As a late-’90s multimedia PC, the PCV-T can still run classic Windows 95/98 games and basic productivity software, but lacks any modern connectivity or performance. Enthusiasts may retrofit a small SSD and max out the RAM, but most units are now prized as collector’s items or for retro video-CD production.
 
Keep in mind that these models are rare and very hard to find.  


== Resources ==
== Resources ==
If a link is broken, please input the URL in the [http://web.archive.org Wayback Machine].
*If a link is broken, please try the [http://web.archive.org Wayback Machine].*


====Recovery Discs====
==== Recovery Discs ====
No recovery disks have been found.
No official Sony recovery discs for the PCV-T series have been archived.


====Manuals and Useful Links====
==== Manuals and Useful Links ====
No manuals have been found.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+Presentation Pages
|+Presentation Pages (Sony JP)
|-
|-
|PCV-T710MR/T510R||[https://www.sony.jp/products/Consumer/PCOM/TOWER/index.html Sony JP]
|PCV-T710MR / T510R || [https://www.sony.jp/products/Consumer/PCOM/TOWER/index.html Sony JP]
|-
|-
|PCV-T720MR/T510R||[https://www.sony.jp/products/Consumer/PCOM/VAIO/TOWER720/index.html Sony JP]
|PCV-T720MR / T510R || [https://www.sony.jp/products/Consumer/PCOM/VAIO/TOWER720/index.html Sony JP]
|}
|}


====Guides====
==== Guides ====
 
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
|Disassembly and general info||[http://www.vaiosite.com/review/vaio/old/t720mr/t720.htm vaiosite.com]
|Disassembly & general info || [http://www.vaiosite.com/review/vaio/old/t720mr/t720.htm vaiosite.com]
|}
|}
Disassembly is similar to any standard desktop PC, but care should be taken with the aged ABS plastic casing.


== Sources ==
== Sources ==
[https://www.inversenet.co.jp/pclist/product/SONY-desk/PCV%252DT720MR.html PCV-T720MR Specs] [https://www.inversenet.co.jp/pclist/product/SONY-desk/PCV%252DT710MR.html PCV-T710MR Specs] [https://www.inversenet.co.jp/pclist/product/SONY-desk/PCV%252DT700MR.html PCV-T700MR Specs] [https://www.inversenet.co.jp/pclist/product/SONY-desk/PCV%252DT510R.html PCV-T510R Specs] [https://anniversary-net.com/furui/2016/01/02/vaio-pcv-t700mr-%EF%BC%88sony%E3%80%801997%E5%B9%B4/ Anniversary-Net PCV-T700MR Review]
* [https://www.inversenet.co.jp/pclist/product/SONY-desk/PCV%252DT720MR.html PCV-T720MR Specs]
* [https://www.inversenet.co.jp/pclist/product/SONY-desk/PCV%252DT710MR.html PCV-T710MR Specs]
* [https://www.inversenet.co.jp/pclist/product/SONY-desk/PCV%252DT700MR.html PCV-T700MR Specs]
* [https://www.inversenet.co.jp/pclist/product/SONY-desk/PCV%252DT510R.html PCV-T510R Specs]
* [https://anniversary-net.com/furui/2016/01/02/vaio-pcv-t700mr-%EF%BC%88sony%E3%80%801997%E5%B9%B4/ Anniversary-Net PCV-T700MR Review]

Revision as of 22:29, 25 April 2025

Sony VAIO PCV-T
PCV-T
PCV-T
Series PCV-T series
Release 1997
Processor Intel Pentium II 233 MHz, 266 MHz, 300 MHz, 400 MHz
Graphics ATI 3D RAGE II/PRO (4 MB VRAM)
Chipset
Memory 128 MB SDRAM (4 slots; expandable to 192 MB)
Display 17″ Trinitron (70 kHz) with built-in speakers & mic
Storage IDE HDD 4.3 GB – 13 GB
Audio
Networking
OS Microsoft Windows 95/98
Battery
Weight 13.5 kg
Dimensions (not specified)
MSRP (not specified)

Overview

The Sony VAIO PCV-T was a compact desktop “component” PC system released by Sony in 1997 in Japan (equivalent to the PCV-70 in the USA). Building on the PCV-70/90 legacy, it featured a dark-purple metal front panel that slid down to reveal an 8× CD-R drive and 3.5″ floppy, plus S-Video and composite inputs. Unique at launch was its real-time MPEG-1 encoder (initially a ¥10 000 option, later bundled), allowing video capture from TV sources straight onto Video-CDs via Sony’s Slipclip software.

PCV-T with front panel removed

The rear I/O included VGA out, composite and S-Video out, 3.5 mm audio out, serial, parallel (printer), PS/2, USB, and TV-in. Internally, it housed an Intel Pentium II CPU, ATI 3D RAGE II/PRO graphics on AGP, up to 13 GB IDE storage, and up to 192 MB SDRAM across four slots.

Daily Usage Today

As a late-’90s multimedia PC, the PCV-T can still run classic Windows 95/98 games and basic productivity software, but lacks any modern connectivity or performance. Enthusiasts may retrofit a small SSD and max out the RAM, but most units are now prized as collector’s items or for retro video-CD production.

Resources

Recovery Discs

No official Sony recovery discs for the PCV-T series have been archived.

Presentation Pages (Sony JP)
PCV-T710MR / T510R Sony JP
PCV-T720MR / T510R Sony JP

Guides

Disassembly & general info vaiosite.com

Sources