Page 1 Software Guide P C G - G R X s e r i e s...
Page 2: Read This First
Please read this EULA carefully before installing or using the software 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.
Page 3 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.
Page 4 Read this first TAR ® NERGY ® ® As an E Partner, Sony has determined that this product meets the E guidelines for energy efficiency. The NERGY NERGY ® International E Office Equipment Program is an international program that promotes energy saving through the use NERGY of computers and their office equipment.
Page 5 Studio, SonicStage, Sony Notebook Setup, Sony Style Imaging, UI Design Selector, VAIO Web Phone, VAIO Edit Components, Memory Stick, the Memory Stick logo, VAIO and the VAIO logo are trademarks of Sony Corporation. Microsoft, the Windows and Windows XP Professional logo are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Page 6 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 updates.
Page 7: Sony Software
With Click to DVD you are only a single mouse click away from creating a Hollywood-style DVD ® masterpiece. By simply connecting a Sony Digital Handycam to this Sony computer via an i.LINK™ cable, ® you can turn your family memories into a DVD for all to share. Click to DVD will even guide you through a simple 4-step procedure so you can create DVD menus packed with actively moving chapter icons.
Page 8: Isp Selector
Using DVgate (page 19) 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.
Page 9: Network Smart Capture
About the software delivered with your computer 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.
Page 10: Sony Notebook Setup
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.
Page 11: Vaio Edit Components
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 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.
Page 12 The final product recovery disc is also referred to as the "Application Disc". You can only use the Recovery Discs on the Sony computer you purchased, and not on any other Sony PC or other manufacturer's PC. See Product Recovery Discs...
Page 13: Internet Explorer
About the software delivered with your computer Operating system and other available software ® Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 1 Microsoft Corporation ® ® Built on the proven Windows 2000 operating system, Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 1 delivers a reliable foundation you can count on to keep your computer up and running when you need it most.
Page 14: Adobe Acrobat Reader
About the software delivered with your computer ® Adobe Acrobat 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.
Page 15: Drag'n Drop Cd+Dvd
CD or DVD format. After dropping them, simply press the DVD Create button. For questions and technical assistance, go online to: http://www.easy.co.jp/dde/sony * Depending on the model you purchased.
Page 16: Realone Player
About the software delivered with your computer 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...
Page 17 About the software delivered with your computer Symantec Norton AntiVirus installer (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).
Page 18: Windvd For Vaio
About the software delivered with your computer 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.
Page 19 Using Video software 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 Using MovieShaker Using Network Smart Capture (page 19)
Page 20: Using Dvgate
Using Video software 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.
Page 21 Using Video software Using DVgate Motion With DVgate Motion you can capture video and record edited videos on a DV device. Capturing video: 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.
Page 22: Capturing Videos
Using Video software Capturing videos You can automatically or manually import videos onto your computer. To automatically import videos onto your computer, proceed as follows: Launch DVgate Motion. Click 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.
Page 23 Using Video software 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. 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.
Page 24 Using Video software Adding files to the Record List To add files to the Record List, proceed as follows: Launch DVgate Motion. Click Add in the DVgate Motion – AVI file list. The Add dialog box appears. Select a file and click Open. The specified file is added and the serial number, first and last images, time code, file length and file name are displayed.
Page 25 Using Video software To remove a file from the Record List, proceed as follows: Click the file you want to remove. Click Delete. The removed file is filled by the subsequent file and the files are renumbered. Click Delete All when to remove all files. You can select multiple AVI or still picture files from the Record List by clicking them while holding down the <Shift>...
Page 26 Using Video software Recording on the DV device You can automatically or manually export videos from your computer to a DV device. To automatically export videos from your computer to a DV device, proceed as follows: Connect the camera to the computer with the i.LINK™ cable and turn on the camera. Launch DVgate Motion.
Page 27 Using Video software Even if you specify not to add blank frames, several blank frames are always placed at the end of the recorded segment regardless of the settings. This is to prevent image noise from being recorded when recording stops. Do not quit or log off from Windows Disable the screen saver in Windows Do not start other applications or move any active window while recording.
Page 28: Capturing Pictures
Using Video software Capturing pictures There are two capture modes in DVgate Still: the Continuous Capture mode and the Single Frame Capture mode. Continuous Capture mode: If you capture pictures during Play mode, you can capture 30 frames of still pictures in total with respectively 15 frames in the forward and backward directions.
Page 29 Using Video software To capture pictures, proceed as follows: Connect the DV device to your computer. Launch DVgate Still (Start/All Programs/DVgate/DVgate Still). The DVgate Still window appears. Set the DV device to the Play or Pause mode. The video image appears in the Monitor window. Click the Capture button.
Page 30 Using Video software Saving the captured pictures You can save the still pictures displayed in the DVgate Still - Still window in either one of the following formats: BMP, JPG, GIF or DVF. To save the captured pictures, proceed as follows: Launch DVgate Still and capture images.
Page 31 Using Video software Using DVgate Assemble DVgate Assemble enables you to edit video files and still image files captured with DVgate Motion and DVgate Still. Afterwards you can splice them together to form one single file. You can save the resulting spliced video sequences as AVI, MPEG1, or MPEG2* format files.
Page 32 Using Video software Select a file and click Open. The AVI file is added to the list. Imported files are added at the end of the Assemble List. You can only add video files in AVI (DV CODEC) format, and still image files in BMP, JPEG, and GIF formats. Please see the help files for information on converting non-compatible AVI files.
Page 33 Using Video software The Begin point image and the time code appear in the lower part of the dialog box. Click the End button when you see the scene to be used as the End point. The End point image and the time code appear in the lower part of the dialog box. Click OK.
Page 34 Using Video software Click the Settings button. The Settings window appears. Select the final format of the combined file, choosing from AVI, MPEG1 or MPEG2 (if available)*. Click OK. The Assemble List appears. Click OK. The still and video images are combined. * Choosing MPEG1 as the format will reduce the size of the file considerably.
Page 35 Using Video software Saving the edited video To save an edited video sequence, proceed as follows: Click the Output or the Output All button. The Save As dialog box appears. Information on the output file and the amount of free disk space is shown in the lower part of the Save As dialog box.
Page 36: Using Movieshaker
Using Video software Using MovieShaker MovieShaker can be used to create fun and innovative movies without any knowledge of film editing. In a few steps, motion pictures can be combined with special effects, still images (pictures), and music files and then saved in a format most computers can play.
Page 37 Using Video software Menu bar Monitor panel Tool panel Clip tray Product tray Shows MovieShaker menus. Contains the Shake, Capture, and Edit tray. Select a tray by clicking the Shake, Capture, or Edit tab. The Shake tray is for creating a scene of approximately 30 seconds long including background music, using clips on the Clip tray at random.
Page 38: Importing Images And Sound Clips
Using Video software Importing images and sound clips Before you can create a movie, you need to import the images and sound clips you want to use in your movie. To import images and sound clips, proceed as follows: Click the File import button The Import dialog box appears.
Page 39 Using Video software Scenes created with Shaker begin with a black frame. After processing, they are placed in the first available slot on the Product tray. Limit the number of scenes in the Product tray to 5 or less. MovieShaker may stop responding if there are too many scenes in the Product tray.
Page 40: Editing Clips And Scenes
Using Video software Editing clips and scenes You can edit your movie by adding effects and text, adjusting the colour and contrast, and modifying the length of the clip. Shake tab Capture tab Edit tab Speed control slider Volume control slider Effect palette Fade-in, fade-out Trash...
Page 41: Saving A Movie
Using Video software To edit clips and scenes, proceed as follows: Double-click the clip in the Clip tray to move it to the Monitor Panel. Select the Effect tab from the Tool Panel. Drag and drop the effect you want to add from the Effect tray to the Edit tray monitor. To preview an effect, click the effect in the Effect tray in the Working Panel monitor.
Page 42 Using Network Smart Capture Using Network Smart Capture Network Smart Capture allows you to manage photos and movies taken with an i.LINK™ -compatible digital camera or USB Web camera. You can capture and enhance video or still images to share with your family and friends over the Internet or via e-mail.
Page 43 Using Network Smart Capture Some cameras and camcorders need to have recording media inserted before an image can be displayed in the Finder window. Read the manual supplied with your digital camera or camcorder for more information. Icon Description/Function Finder window Displays images in real-time Help Displays the online Help documentation...
Page 44: Using Still Mode
Using Network Smart Capture Using Still mode To take still pictures with the Network Smart Capture software, proceed as follows: Launch Network Smart Capture. Connect your i.LINK™-compatible digital camera or USB Web camera to your computer and turn it on. The viewfinder image appears in the main window.
Page 45 Using Network Smart Capture Click the Change Setting icon The Still Image Setting window appears, containing three tabs: Basic — Select a folder destination for your images. Capturing Format — Select the image size in pixels and adjust the image quality. Common —...
Page 46 Using Network Smart Capture Capturing an image in Still mode To capture an image in Still mode, proceed as follows: Use your digital camera or camcorder to locate the image you want to capture. When you see the image you want in the Finder window, click Capture You can capture a single image or several images at once.
Page 47: Using Movie Mode
Using Network Smart Capture Using Movie mode To capture a home movie, proceed as follows: Launch Network Smart Capture. Connect your i.LINK™-compatible digital camera or USB Web camera to your computer and turn it on. The viewfinder image appears in the main window. Click Movie to activate Movie mode.
Page 48 Using Network Smart Capture Click the Change Setting icon The Movie Clip Setting window appears, containing three tabs: Basic - Select a folder destination for your movies when recording video clips. Capturing Format - Adjust the image quality, reduce noise, and set the maximum recording time for your movie capture.
Page 49 Using Network Smart Capture Capturing an image in Movie mode To capture an image in Movie mode, proceed as follows: Use your digital camera or camcorder to locate the moving image you want to capture. When you see the image you want in the Finder window or in the camcorder’s viewfinder, click Record The Movie Player icon Click Stop The first frame of your movie appears in the data list to the right of the Finder window.
Page 50 Using Network Smart Capture Using Web camera mode With the Web camera function, you can set up the camera and software to take still images automatically, without you being there, according to conditions you specify. The function allows you to set a time interval for regularly capturing images, and a time period during which images are automatically captured.
Page 51 Using Network Smart Capture Click the Change Setting icon to view the available options for your image capture. The Web Camera Setting window appears, containing five tabs: Basic — Select a folder destination to store your images, set your maximum observation time, and choose your dial-up setting.
Page 52 Using Network Smart Capture Click each tab to view options and set preferences and click OK when you have finished. If using a web cam, a further tab allowing Camera Adjustment is available. Capturing an image in Web camera mode To capture an image in Web camera mode, proceed as follows: Use your digital camera or camcorder to locate the moving image you want to capture.
Page 53 Using Network Smart Capture Applying effects to your images and movies You can add effects to real-time images or movies displayed in the Finder window. You can use a different effect for each picture. To add effects, proceed as follows: Click the Select Capture Menu icon Select the Effect option from the list.
Page 54 Using Network Smart Capture Managing your images and movies The task buttons to the right of the Network Smart Capture window enable you to perform various functions with your images or movies. Save As Send attached Image by E-mail Delete You must be connected to the Internet before attempting to e-mail your still images or videos.
Page 55: Recommended Settings
Using Click To DVD* Using Click To DVD* With this software application, you can easily capture video images from a digital external device (camera, VCR, etc.) and write them to a DVD. You can also turn your digital or scanned pictures into a photo album or a slideshow and write them to a DVD.
Page 56 Using Click To DVD* Defragment your hard disk drive. Optimise (defragment) the hard disk on which you store the working files for Click to DVD and Click to DVD Automatic Mode. For details on how to optimise (defragment) your hard disk, refer to the relevant section in your ®...
Page 57 Using Click To DVD* The video and audio compression method used by Click to DVD varies according to recording time. When recording time exceeds the DVD capacity, audio is first compressed to AC-3 format. If the recording still exceeds DVD capacity, the video bit rate is reduced. When the Click to DVD Automatic Mode application is closed, any video that was loaded from a device onto the computer’s hard disk is deleted.
Page 58 Using Click To DVD* Video content with a 4:3 aspect ratio and video content with a 16:9 aspect ratio cannot be written to the DVD. If the aspect ratio of the video that is recorded on the tape changes, transfer of the video stops at that point, and creation of the DVD begins.
Page 59: Creating Dvds
Using Click To DVD* Creating DVDs There are two user modes within Click to DVD: Click to DVD Automatic Mode allows you to handle the process with one or just a few mouse-clicks. Click to DVD also allows you to change different settings, have more control over the process and perform raw editing of the video.
Page 60 Using Click To DVD* Creating a DVD automatically To create a DVD automatically, proceed as follows: Type a title for the DVD. You can choose any title you like and type it in the DVD Title text box. The title appears on the menu screen of the DVD that you are creating. Select a theme for the DVD’s menu background.
Page 61 Using Click To DVD* To write additional DVDs with the same content, click Yes; to end the session, click No. The optical drive tray opens. Remove the DVD from the tray. Make all changes to the settings before starting to load the video. Click to DVD standard mode Click to DVD’s standard mode is a more advanced option.
Page 62: Making Settings
Using Click To DVD* Compiling DVDs Making settings To make settings before you start creating DVD, proceed as follows: Click M (for Menu) and click Settings… The Settings window appears. Select your preferences for Video and Image files folder, Aspect Ratio, Video Format and Step Guide Animation.
Page 63: Recording Videos
Using Click To DVD* Select the Create Slide Show option to have your pictures advance automatically during DVD playback. You can select background music for slide shows. If you want to save your project to continue working on it later on, you can do so by clicking M (Menu) and then clicking Save Project or Save Project as...
Page 64 Using Click To DVD* Click Capture. Click to DVD begins capturing the video and displays the first image in each clip in the clip tray. Each clip becomes an individual chapter on the DVD. Capturing ends when a blank segment of tape (that is, a segment of tape on which nothing is recorded) is reached.
Page 65 Using Click To DVD* Importing video files On your DVDs you can include video files stored on your computer's hard disk drive. You can also load MPEG files and DV-AVI files that were created by DVgate and MovieShaker (depending on the software bundled with your computer).
Page 66 Using Click To DVD* To import stored video files, proceed as follows: Click Capture Video in the step guide. The Capture Video window appears. Click Import. The Open dialog box appears. Select the video file to be added. The selected video file is imported, and the imported file clip appears in the clip tray. Any unwanted clips can be deleted before the DVD is created.
Page 67: Importing Still Images
Using Click To DVD* Select the left clip of the pair to be combined, and then click Combine selected clip with next clip task. Alternatively, click the Combine button between the clips to be combined. The combined clips become an individual chapter on the DVD. To rearrange the order that clips appear in on the DVD: Select the clips to be moved, and then click where you want the clips to appear.
Page 68 Using Click To DVD* Importing pictures stored on the computer's hard disk To import pictures stored on the hard disk, proceed as follows: Click Import Pictures in the step guide. The Import Pictures window appears, and the pictures in the currently selected folder, as well as the pictures in all subfolders, are displayed as thumbnails in the display area.
Page 69 Using Click To DVD* Select the folder for the connected device. Thumbnails of the pictures in the selected folder are displayed. Up to four thumbnails can be displayed at once. If you do not want to import all the images in the folder, select the check boxes for the pictures that you want to import.
Page 70 Using Click To DVD* Delete a picture from the project by selecting the picture, and clicking Delete. When the confirmation dialog box appears, click OK. If you a made a slide-show, you can set the display time for each picture and the background music played during the slideshow.
Page 71 Using Click To DVD* Previewing DVDs Before actually writing your project to the DVD, you can see a preview of the contents. To preview the DVD, proceed as follows: Click Preview on the DVD writing screen or Menu screen. The Preview screen appears. Use the remote control buttons displayed next to the preview screen to check the content that is to be written to the DVD.
Page 72: Saving Project Files
Using Click To DVD* Saving project files All the information about your DVD project, including the file names of your video or pictures, the location where those files are stored, the theme, and the menus, can be saved in a file called project file. You can also save your project information while your work is in progress.
Page 73 Using Click To DVD* Re-editing project files You can return to a saved project file to add material or change your menu design. This is called "re-editing" a project. To re-edit a project, proceed as follows: Click M (menu button), and then select Open Project from the menu that appears. Alternatively, On the start screen, click the Open Project task.
Page 74: Troubleshooting
Using Click To DVD* Troubleshooting I cannot transfer video clips from an external device Use an i.LINK™ cable (not supplied) to connect the DV device to the computer and make sure the device is connected to the computer properly. You cannot transfer video content if there is not enough free space available on the hard disk drive of your computer.
Page 75 Managing audio files with SonicStage Managing audio files with SonicStage SonicStage lets you play and record audio CDs and import digital audio files while maintaining the copyright information of the contents. When you record an audio CD with SonicStage onto your computer’s hard disk drive, the default format is ATRAC3.
Page 76 Managing audio files with SonicStage...
Page 77 Managing audio files with SonicStage Recording button Source icons Import button Simple Mode button Close button Help button Operation area Menu button Volume control buttons Equalizer button Displays the Recording Assistant window. Select a source icon and a target icon. As a source you can use: - the Music drive: files from the music database Music Drive managed by SonicStage, or the audio files registered to a playlist on the Music Drive.
Page 78 Managing audio files with SonicStage Sound Effect button Visualizer button Internet button ® The CDDB2 (Compact Disc Database) Music Recognition Service registration wizard enables you to register with CDDB. You need Internet access on your computer to register and use this service. For more information regarding CDDB2 registration, click the Help button. * Only possible when you have this slot built-in on your machine.
Page 79: Recording From A Cd
Managing audio files with SonicStage Recording from a CD You can, for example, record songs from audio CDs and import them to playlists in SonicStage. To record a CD, proceed as follows: Insert an audio CD into your system’s optical disc drive. Click the Recording button (1).
Page 80 Managing audio files with SonicStage Click the Jump to Record Window button (4). The RecordPanel window appears. If you only want to record a few songs, click the Show List The list of tracks on your audio CD appears. If necessary select the format and bit rate for recording by clicking the Change CD Recording Format button.
Page 81 Managing audio files with SonicStage When you record from an audio CD on your optical disc drive for the first time, the CD Drive Optimization dialog box appears. Click Start to verify your optical disc drive. Once the verification is performed, recording begins. You can display the name of the CD and its songs by clicking the CD Info button and after registering with CDDB.
Page 82 Managing audio files with SonicStage Transferring songs (check in/out) You can transfer songs between the playlists on your SonicStage software and external devices or media (for example, Memory Stick™ Walkman, Network Walkman, CD-RW). For more information on using your external devices or media, see the documentation that came with the product. Checking out songs Checking out songs means transferring audio files from a computer to an external device (for example, a portable player).
Page 83 Managing audio files with SonicStage Checking in songs After checking out audio files, you can transfer those files back to the hard drive. This is what we call checking in. The songs that you transfer like this can only be checked in to the hard drive of the same computer from which the songs were checked out.
Page 84: Additional Features
Managing audio files with SonicStage Additional features SonicStage Backup Tool – You can back up and restore all the music, graphics and information data managed by SonicStage. You must be connected to the Internet to use the SonicStage Backup Tool. Import audio files in various formats –...
Page 85 Using PictureGear Studio Using PictureGear Studio The PictureGear Studio software is designed to creatively manage your digital pictures. With its easy-to-use features, you can quickly load images from your digital camera or camcorder, print high-quality photos, create custom labels, and design personalised photo albums or binders to share with friends and family. To share a PictureGear Studio creation over the Internet or by using another computer, use the Export feature.
Page 86 Using PictureGear Studio Using the Import feature With the Import feature, you can capture and import pictures from your USB digital camera / camcorder or TWAIN-supporting scanner to your computer. Once you have imported the pictures, you can select your favourite pictures and save them in handy folders for future use.
Page 87 Using PictureGear Studio Click to make any adjustments you want to make to the pictures. The Adjust window displays an enlarged version of the picture on the right and thumbnail versions on the left. Click Save to relocate the individual picture to a new folder. Click Delete to remove the picture from the photo collection.
Page 88 Using PictureGear Studio Click Delete to remove the picture from the photo collection. Click Rotate to change the picture's position. Click Trim to crop the picture or capture a specific area. Click Finish Importing to save the imported pictures in a photo collection (see Using the PhotoCollection feature (page 88)).
Page 89 Using PictureGear Studio Using the PhotoCollection feature You can organise and manage your imported pictures on your computer’s hard drive. To use the PhotoCollection feature, proceed as follows: In the PictureGear Studio main window, click PhotoCollection. Alternatively, go to Start, All Programs, PictureGear Studio, Tool and then click PhotoCollection.
Page 90 Using PictureGear Studio From the thumbnail view, click to select pictures. Hold down the <Ctrl> key while clicking to select several pictures. Use <Ctrl>+<A> to select all the photos in a folder. Manage your pictures with these additional tools and features: Click Rotate to change the picture’s position.
Page 91 Using PictureGear Studio Using the Binder feature You can add comments to your favourite photos, add custom backgrounds, clip art, and stamps, or showcase your own drawing talent. Add, remove, or change your designs to create your own unique photo art. To use the Binder feature, proceed as follows: In the PictureGear Studio main window, click Binder.
Page 92 Using PictureGear Studio Select a binder style, and then click New Page. Available photo sources are displayed as thumbnails. Click a photo to select it. An information form appears. Fill in your information and click OK. An art palette window appears. To create an original page with art or stamps, use the decoration features on the right by clicking on the required feature and applying it to your photo.
Page 93 Using PictureGear Studio Using the PhotoAlbum feature You can organise your memorable photos in an electronic photo album to share with friends and family. To use the PhotoAlbum feature, proceed as follows: In the PictureGear Studio main window, click PhotoAlbum. Alternatively, go to Start, All Programs, PictureGear Studio, Tool and then click The PhotoAlbum window appears.
Page 94 Using PictureGear Studio Click List to select the photos you want to include in your album from available folders. The Photo List window appears. Click Create the Album with the selected photo(s) after selecting your photos. The Select Design window appears. Click to select a design layout for your album.
Page 95 Using PictureGear Studio Scroll through your album using the book icons at the bottom of the window. Click Edit Album to make changes to your album. Customise your album by adding more pictures, pages, decorations, or comments, or by deleting pages. Click Edit Page to customise a page in your album.
Page 96 Using PictureGear Studio Using the Export feature You can export your completed photo album to enable viewing over the Internet, with another computer, or saving to a recordable media. There are three export formats available: Export as a Flash File to create a small file that can be viewed using Microsoft Export as a Light Package to create a compressed file that can be viewed on a computer.
Page 97 Using PictureGear Studio Click an export format to select it. The Select Folder window appears. Click Browse and navigate to the destination folder. Enter a file name, if necessary. Click Export. A progress window appears briefly. An export completion message window appears, displaying the file name and file size. Click OK.
Page 98 Using PictureGear Studio Using the PrintStudio feature Use PrintStudio to design and print original postcards, calendars, art, and labels using your favourite pictures. To use PrintStudio, proceed as follows: In the PictureGear Studio main window, click PrintStudio. Alternatively, go to Start, All Programs, PictureGear Studio, Tool and then click The PrintStudio window appears.
Page 99 Using PictureGear Studio Select the item you want to create and click Start Creating. The initial creation window appears, which varies depending on the item you are creating. Make selections for the picture(s), design layout, and custom decoration for the item you want to create. Set the number of copies to be printed and select a connected printer.
Page 100: Viewing The Online Help
Using PictureGear Studio Viewing the online Help For more information about PictureGear Studio, see the application’s online Help files. To view the online help, proceed as follows: Click Help in PictureGear Studio’s main window or in each PictureGear Studio element.
Page 101: Customizing Your Computer
The following sections briefly describe how to change the main settings of your computer. Among other things, you will learn how to prepare your modem for use, how to use and customise the look of your Sony software and utilities, etc.
Page 102: Setting Up Your Language
Customizing your computer Setting up your language It is important that you select the correct keyboard settings during the Windows Setup. To select the correct keyboard settings during Windows Setup, proceed as follows: At first boot, click 2x Next in the Windows XP Setup Wizard window. The Select Your System Settings dialog box appears.
Page 103 Customizing your computer Click Apply to apply the changes. You are prompted to log off and log on again. Only then, the changes to the new language will take effect. Click Start, and select Log Off. Click Log Off in the Log Off Windows window. If necessary, enter your password to log on again.
Page 104: Setting Up Your Notebook With Sony Notebook Setup
Customizing your computer Setting up your notebook with Sony Notebook Setup The Sony Notebook Setup utility allows you to consult system information, specify preferences for system behaviour, and set up password protection for your VAIO notebook. To use Sony Notebook Setup, proceed as follows: Click the Start button on the Windows In All Programs, select Sony Notebook Setup and then click Sony Notebook Setup.
Page 105 The item has been changed. For more information about each option, click Help on the Sony Notebook Setup screen to display the help file. If you open Sony Notebook Setup as a limited user, then only the About This Computer tab will be visible.
Page 106: Managing Power
Customizing your computer Managing power The PowerPanel utility controls the power management of your notebook and provides key information about system activity and battery life. The automatic power management selects the most advantageous profiles, or lets you customise the profiles you choose, according to your own needs, with the goal of extended battery life.
Page 107 Customizing your computer Activating PowerPanel When you start the computer, the PowerPanel icon appears in the system tray by default. To see the current power profile, simply point to the icon. The current power profile will be displayed in a tooltip.
Page 108 Customizing your computer Activating power management profiles PowerPanel provides several predefined power management profiles. Each profile consists of a group of power management settings that are designed to meet specific power management goals, ranging from maximum power management to no power management. Running on AC Icon Description...
Page 109 Customizing your computer Icon Description Spreadsheet – Reduces the LCD brightness to 'medium', as your software does not require higher performance. Presentation – Keeps the display on at all times while it conserves power. This option is ideal for slideshow presentations.
Page 110 Customizing your computer Selecting automatic profiles when running on batteries A power profile is a set of timer values for a variety of system devices. PowerPanel automatically selects the profile associated with the application you are using and changes profiles as you switch between applications.
Page 111: Displaying Detailed Battery Information
Customizing your computer Displaying detailed battery information You can display detailed information of your computer's battery. There are 3 ways in which you can display battery information: Right-click the PowerPanel icon in the taskbar and select Battery Information from the menu. Double-click the PowerPanel icon in the taskbar and select the Battery tab.
Page 112 Customizing your computer Editing a power profile To edit the power management settings of a power profile, proceed as follows: Right-click the PowerPanel icon in the taskbar and select Edit/Create Profiles from the menu. The Profile Editor window appears. Click the profile you want to edit on the left of the screen. Double-click the power profile property (Hibernate, Standby…) you want to modify on the right of the screen.
Page 113: Selecting Display Modes
The Display Properties dialog box appears. Click the Settings tab. Click the Advanced button. The Sony Notebook LCD and Mobility Radeon 7500 Properties dialog box appears. Click the Displays tab. Select the Monitor, Panel or TV icon. It is possible to select two.
Page 114: Configuring Your Modem
Customizing your computer Configuring your modem Before you can start using your internal modem, or each time you use your modem while travelling, make sure that the country of the active location defined in the Phone and Modem Options dialog box matches the country you are dialling from.
Page 115: Updating The Modem Driver
Customizing your computer Updating the modem driver If you need to update the modem driver for any reason, proceed as follows: Click the Start button and open Control Panel. The Control Panel window appears. Click the Printers and Other Hardware icon. The Printers and Other Hardware window appears.
Page 116: Changing Your Windows Design With The Ui Design Selector Program
The UI Design Selector window design changes, to give you a preview of the design you chose for the Sony software. To try another design, click << or >>. Click OK once you are satisfied with your choice. The UI Design Selector dialog box disappears and changes the window design of Sony software as you selected.
Page 117: Setting A Sony Wallpaper
Customizing your computer Setting a Sony wallpaper Your Sony VAIO computer offers you, among many other features, a choice of wallpapers. You can change the wallpaper, the background of your desktop, as many times as you like. There are several VAIO-specific wallpapers to choose from.
Page 118: Selecting A Screen Saver
Customizing your computer Selecting a screen saver A screen saver is an animated image that is activated on a computer display when no user activity has been sensed for a certain time. The original purpose of a screen saver was to prevent burn-in (the burning of an image into the phosphor inside the cathode ray tube after hours of the same image being rescanned).
Page 119: Installing And Updating Applications
Installing and updating applications Installing and updating applications This section explains how to install, run or uninstall a software. Furthermore, you will learn how to download the latest updates from our website. Installing software Changing or removing software Downloading software (page 119) (page 120) (page 123)
Page 120: Installing Software
Installing and updating applications Installing software To install bundled software from the supplied application disc, please read the printed Application CD Guide for details. To install other software, use the following procedure. Before installing the applications: Install and connect a hardware device, if necessary (see the Managing drivers Close all open applications.
Page 121: Changing Or Removing Software
Installing and updating applications Click Browse to select the folder and click Next. If necessary, select the type of installation you wish and click Next. The software installation begins. Make sure to select Yes, I want to restart my computer now if you are asked to. Click Finish.
Page 122 Installing and updating applications When you click Change or Remove, some programs may be removed without any further warning. Make sure you are certain you want to remove it beforehand. You can sort programs by selecting different options in Sort by. ®...
Page 123 Installing and updating applications Caution ® Windows File protection Installing a program might overwrite shared system files such as dynamic-link libraries (DLL files)* and executable files (EXE files). When system files are overwritten, system performance becomes unpredictable, programs behave erratically, and the operating system can fail. Never delete files with the following extensions: SYS, DLL, OCX, TTF, or FON.
Page 124: Downloading Software
Installing and updating applications Downloading software Please note it is possible to download the latest upgrades of software for your computer from our website. Just click the following link to access it: To download the latest upgrades, proceed as follows: Go to www.vaio-link.com Click the VAIO User button.
Page 125: Managing Drivers
Managing drivers Managing drivers A driver is a software enabling you to use hardware devices. For example, in order for you to be able to use a printer, you must first install its driver. Many drivers, such as the mouse driver, come with the operating system.
Page 126: Installing A Driver
Managing drivers Installing a driver To (re)install a Sony driver, see the printed Application CD Guide for details. If the driver does not come with a specific installation procedure, please proceed as follows to install it: Insert the installation disc or disc accompanying the device into the disc drive.
Page 127: Checking The Driver's Installation
Managing drivers Checking the driver's installation When the computer restarts, verify that the device is working properly. To verify the driver’s installation, proceed as follows: From the Start menu, click Control Panel. The Control Panel window appears. Double-click the System icon. The System dialog box appears.
Page 128: Updating A Driver
Managing drivers Right-click Uninstall. When the Confirm Device Removal dialog box appears, click OK. Click Yes and restart the computer. When the computer restarts, repeat from step 2 in Installing a driver If your device is not displayed in the Properties dialog box, the device is not working properly. Repeat steps 1 through 4 in the previous sections to verify the driver’s installation.
Page 129: Uninstalling A Driver
Managing drivers Double-click the option corresponding to the device you installed, then double-click your device. The Properties dialog box appears. Click the Driver tab. Click Update driver. The driver is updated. To update your device driver, you must be logged on to your computer with an administrator account. Uninstalling a driver Leave the device connected to your computer while uninstalling the driver.
Page 130: Restoring A Driver
Managing drivers Double-click the option corresponding to the device you installed, then double-click your device. The Properties dialog box appears. Click the Driver tab. Click Uninstall. The driver is uninstalled. To uninstall your device driver, you must be logged on to your computer with an owner account. Restoring a driver System Restore is a feature of Microsoft problem occurs, without losing your personal data files.
Page 131 Managing drivers Click Start on the taskbar. Click My computer from the menu. Click View system information on the left of the window. Click the Hardware tab, then click Device Manager. Double-click the option corresponding to the device you installed, then double-click your device. The Properties dialog box appears.
Page 132: Downloading Drivers
Managing drivers Downloading drivers Please note it is possible to download the latest versions of drivers for your computer on our website. Just click the following link to access it: To download the latest drivers, proceed as follows: Go to www.vaio-link.com Click the VAIO User button.
Page 133 If you want to modify the size of the hard drive partitions. You can only use these product recovery discs on the Sony computer they came with and not on any other Sony PC or other manufacturer's PC. Performing an application recovery...
Page 134: Performing A System Recovery
Using the Product Recovery Discs Performing an application recovery The final disc in the set of product recovery discs contains most of the applications that were preinstalled on your computer. Reinstalling a program from this application disc can fix the problems encountered if it does not run correctly anymore, or if Windows Please read your printed Application CD Guide for details on (re)installing bundled applications.
Page 135: Notes On Performing A System Recovery
Using the Product Recovery Discs Notes on performing a system recovery The recovery process can last up to sixty minutes, and in this time you will be prompted to change CDs. You can recover only the software bundled to your computer. It does not work for the software you have installed subsequently or the data you have created.
Page 136: Recovering The System Without Changing Partition Sizes
Using the Product Recovery Discs Do not try to add, delete, or resize partitions unless you really need to. Changing partition settings might delete all your files on the hard disk. If you need to perform a system recovery, but do not want to lose all the data stored on your hard disk, copy all the files you want to keep on the D: drive.
Page 137: Recovering The System With Modified Partition Sizes
Using the Product Recovery Discs You should allow one hour for the recovery process. To perform the Default System Drive Recovery, proceed as follows: Select the button next to Default System Drive Recovery (Recommended). Click Next. You are asked if you are sure you want to recover the system. To start the procedure, click Next.
Page 138: Manually Changing Partition Sizes
Using the Product Recovery Discs Default System Drive Recovery, (see Recovering the system without changing partition sizes (page 135)). Change Partition Size and Recover. Recovery To Originally Shipped State. Manually changing partition sizes Choosing Change Partition Size and Recover allows you to manually select the size of your C: drive, leaving the remaining gigabytes to the D: drive.
Page 139: Resetting The Default Partition Sizes
Using the Product Recovery Discs Resetting the default partition sizes If you changed the partition sizes since you bought your Sony computer, choosing Recovery To Originally Shipped State allows you to reset the hard drive to its original size. Meanwhile, the current partitions are deleted, the hard disk is reformatted, and all the original software is restored as with a standard system recovery.
Page 140 Using the Product Recovery Discs However, once the recovery process has started, cancelling the job will delete all the current data on your C: drive. If you have made changes to the partition settings, you will lose all data on both hard drive partitions.

This manual is also suitable for:

Vaio pcg-grx616sp Vaio pcg-grx series

Sony PCG-GRX616MP Software Manual

Quick Links

Related Manuals for Sony PCG-GRX616MP

Summary of Contents for Sony PCG-GRX616MP

This manual is also suitable for:

Table of Contents