System Requirements

The operating environment of VAIO Media must meet the following requirements.
Server
Client
Computer
  • Sony VAIO series computer with Windows XP preinstalled.
  • Computer with Windows XP Media Center Edition preinstalled.
  • Devices capable of transferring media that can be played back with VAIO Media.
  • Sony VAIO series computer with Windows XP preinstalled.
  • Sony VAIO series computer upgraded to Windows XP.
  • Devices capable of playing back media received from the server.
Software
  • VAIO Media Platform 2.5*1 or VAIO Media Integrated Server 2.6 or later.
  • Giga Pocket 5.5.00 or later*2.
Other hardware
Any device with network connection capabilities, such as network adapters.
*1
Computers running VAIO Media Platform 2.0 or earlier can still be used as servers, but are subject to the following limitations:
  • Video thumbnails are not displayed in the video list. Video tape icons are displayed in the list instead.
  • You cannot use the film roll area to fast forward to the desired position during playback.
  • You cannot search for media nor change the media order in media lists.
*2
Only necessary to watch television and video.
Number of Clients that can be Connected to a Server
The following number of clients can be connected to a server at any one time.

Number of clients
Maximum number of clients that can be registered on one server
20
Maximum number of clients that can simultaneously play back music
10
Maximum number of clients that can simultaneously view photos
No restriction other than the maximum number of clients registered on one server.
Maximum number of clients that can simultaneously play back video
10 (Excluding clients that play back while recording.)

The numbers outlined above also depend on the capacity of your network, as well as the server and clients' CPUs.
Formats Supported by Clients and Server
When you access compatible media on the server from a client through your network, the server converts the format of the file to match the settings of the client. This format conversion depends on the settings of each client.
When using VAIO Media-compatible devices other than computers to enjoy media, the formats must be converted to formats supported by the server and/or clients. Refer to the devices' documentation and take care of the following:
  • When a VAIO Media-compatible device other than a computer is used as the server, you must convert media to a format supported by VAIO Media.
  • When a VAIO Media-compatible device other than a computer is used as a client, you must convert media to a format supported by the client. It is not possible to enjoy other types of media.

The following table shows formats before and after conversion.

Type of media
Format before conversion
Format after conversion
Audio
  • OpenMG (This does not include audio files obtained from any online audio content provider)
  • WAV (linear pulse code modulation)
  • MP3 (MPEG1 Audio Layer-3)
RAW (linear pulse code modulation)
Photo
  • Bitmap
  • JPEG
  • GIF
  • TIFF
  • PNG
JPEG
Video
  • Video recorded with Giga Pocket*1
  • Video imported with Giga Pocket*1 (MPEG1 or MPEG2)
  • Video recorded with Windows XP Media Center Edition*1
  • The following video files:
    • MPEG1*2
    • MPEG2 (program stream)*3
    • AVI (DV-AVI, DivX*4, etc.)
    • WMV*2
  • MPEG1
  • MPEG2
Television
  • Television signal from a television tuner*1
  • External input signal*1 (only possible with televisions equipped with an external input signal connector)
  • MPEG1
  • MPEG2
*1
The "PC Name (TV)" is provided by the server.
*2
M-Type servers only.
*3
Type-L servers must use MPEG2 files that meet the following conditions:
Video
Format: MPEG-2 PS
Video Codec: MPEG-2V
Audio Codec: MPEG-1 Layer 2
Resolution: 720 x 480, 352 x 480, 352 x 240
Bit rate: 2 to 9.8 Mbps
Frame rate: 29.97, or 30
Aspect ratio: 4:3 or 16:9
Audio
Sampling frequency: 48 kbps
Sampling: 16-bit
Audio channel: stereo or monaural
*4
You must install the appropriate codec on the computer used as the server to convert DivX files.
Some files may not play back normally and some may not play back at all, depending on the file. Sony does not accept any responsibility for this.
Hint
There are three types of servers. To verify your type of server, click the Version button of VAIO Media Console.
  • Type-M: Equipped with a video conversion function. Converted image size 352 x 240 pixels.
  • Type-L: Not equipped with a video conversion function.


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