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VAIO AV Docking Stations bring PCTV, personal video recording and Hi-Fi audio to new FS- and A-Series notebooks (25/5/2005)

Sony has created two VAIO(R) notebooks with a unique AV twist. The A417S and FS215Z models are supplied with specially designed docking stations, freestanding stereo speakers and remote controllers so users can enjoy entertainment and performance at their best. The key to the concept is that the notebooks themselves remain slim, lightweight and eminently portable, but the ensemble delivers AV performance beyond anything possible with purely inboard components.

The A417S is designed to impress, from its dual-lamp, 17-inch diagonal widescreen X-black LCD(TM) to the latest technologies like the Serial ATA hard disk and ATI(R) X600 PCI Express(R) high-speed graphics. Even so, as soon as it is connected to its AV Docking Station it takes on an entirely new dimension. Hardware in the Docking Station itself transforms the notebook into a true multimedia entertainment system with capabilities normally associated with desktop machines. A high-quality TV tuner and MPEG encoder let users watch and record TV, while the integrated Sony S-Master digital amplifier and reflex-ported stereo speakers provide rich, detailed audio.

The FS215Z also boasts PCI Express graphics, this time powered by an Nvidia(R) GeForce(TM) 6200 processor. It also benefits from a second-generation dual-lamp X-black LCD, but with a 15.4-inch diagonal for greater portability. The AV Docking Station for this model features a powerful built-in TV tuner so users can watch and record programs as well as enjoy quality audio playback via freestanding active Sony stereo speakers. The advantages of having the Docking Station provide the AV functionality are particularly apparent with this model. Re-engineering the notebook itself would have destroyed the desirable ultra-slim profile and low carrying weight, which are integral parts of the FS-Series design.

"The beauty of the AV Docking Station concept is that you can benefit from it even when you aren't actually using it," says Colin Woodward, Group Product Manager IT. "You can record TV while you are docked, then watch your choice of programs the next day, when you might have a long train journey to get through. Call it Ôunplug and play' if you like".

Both models harness the power of Intel(R) Pentium(R) M Processors, with a performance-boosting 2MB Level 2 cache to provide outstanding performance for AV and gaming as well as mainstream applications. Each machine utilizes Intel Centrino(R) technology for efficient power management, extended battery life and high-speed wireless networking.

www.sony-europe.com