PCV-M

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PCV-M with infrared wireless keyboard

Overview

PCV-M300 with Trinitron CRT Monitor and speakers

The Sony VAIO PCV-M was a Japan only PC component system released by Sony in 1998. It was intended to be a sort of "multimedia" PC, because some models had an inbuilt TV tuner, a DVD player (in later models) and a MiniDisc control that was supposed to be used with the MDS-PC1 deck. This control option was built in instead of requiring a serial CAV-50C VisionTouch adapter, making it useful and integrating it into the Sony line of products of the era.

PCV-M next to AV equipment
PCV-M next to AV equipment

The PCV-M is unique in that it fits well with most AV equipment, just like the MDS-PC1, or a Sony La Scala Hi-Fi system, making it useful for setups involving amplifiers, music players, DVD players etc.

Back in its day it was considered a small PC, being almost half the size of regular towers. When looking at promotional material for it, it is obvious for what it would be used. It wouldn't been used for work, but more as a casual use computer. With the MiniDisc deck on top of it, one would listen to music on it while doing some basic web browsing, or maybe even playing some games.

It came in two configurations, one with a 14.1" TFT LCD and one with a 17" Trinitron CRT with in built TV capabilities, similar to the ones on the PCV-T. The 17" Trinitron model came with a remote to control the TV capabilities.

PCV-M300TV7 with MDS-PC1
Back of PCV-M
Back of PCV-M

Detailed specs

Processor: Pentium MMX 200/233MHz, AMD K6 400MHz on later models

Graphics: ATI RAGE 128VR 8MB / ATI 3D RAGE PRO

Chipset: ALI Aladdin V

Memory: 32MB (Standard) 256MB (Maximum) PC100 SDRAM, 2x DIMM slots

Display: 17" Trinitron CRT Monitor, 14.1" TFT LCD

Storage: 4.3GB or 8.4GB IDE HDD

Weight: 7.5 kg

Original OS: Microsoft Windows 95

Front inputs of PCV-M
Front inputs of PCV-M

MSRP: 200, 250, 400k yen

Audio: SoundBlaster Pro, Built in mono speaker, Sony Control A1 (MDS-PC),

Daily usage today

The PCV-M is a novelty item. It will be okay for some old games (depends on graphics card) and word processing. Obviously they will work fine for any task that was an applicable use back in the late 90s. For example, browsing the old web will work, but keep in mind that only old static HTML pages will work, anything remotely modern will not work.

They can be found every once in a while on Yahoo! Auctions Japan or Mercari Japan. You will need a Japanese proxy service for this though.

Resources

Recovery Disks unknown.

Drivers unknown.

Disassembly guide unknown.

Credits

Sony

PC-Watch