Official VAIO E Series Owners Thread

no,i don't need the HDD space
merci

 

I saw the lower res screen of the sony EB an tbh its not terrible but it could be a bit brighter - is there anyway you can increase the brightness/contrast settings ontop of using the fn+F7 keyboard option?

 

You can use catalyst to increase brightness as well as the vaio tool - but first check the actual Windows 7 settings. First, I would check the power options in Windows 7 (control panel power options, change plan settings, then change advanced settings). Mine came set to balanced power and 70% brightness plugged in and 50% on battery. I would set that to 90% or 100% plugged in and 70% on battery. Then, go to a brightly lit room and see if it is too dark for you. When I set mine to 90-100% plugged in is super bright in even the brightest outdoor conditions. When on battery 70% is still bright enough, but can be adjusted to taste. If adjusting the Windows settings isn't enough, then pull up catalyst and make adjustments or that Sony Vaio color utility if desperate. You can also right click the desktop, go to screen resolution, click make text and other items larger or smaller, then calibrate color. There are some rudimentary pics to help adjust to proper settings.

I have compared the 1920 x 1080 and 1366 x 768 screens and see very little difference if both are set at 100% brightness. The main difference between the two seems to be gamma performance - which the 1080 sees a better gamma curve. Also, keep in mind the brighter you make it, the more power it consumes.

 

Anyone interested in buying my EB16fg (i3-330m/500g hdd/4gig ram/ ati-5650/1920x1080 hd screen)
Got it 4 months ago for travelling round india and have no use for it at home as i have good custom built desktop.
Absolute perfect condition ...will throw in vaio bag, laptop cooler and optical mouse.
obviously under warranty.

 

You're being a little too demanding. 1920x1080 is an insane resolution resource-wise. If running newer games at such resolution is possible at all, we're talking about very high end graphics cards, likely desktop PC enthusiast kind of cards. Perhaps, demanding Quake 3 based games or mods like Urban Terror will run fine at this resolution if you have a 5650 with i5. But I doubt it would work as smoothly with Quake 4 engine games (Doom 3, etc) or say Counter Strike: Source (just a guess). We're talking about a notebook that sells for under $900 in the United States for Zeus's sake! From gaming perspective, this is still a low-end tier, though the 5650 does give you more options. Even if the crop of games I mentioned works at HD resolution, they're still, what, 5-6 years old games? Imagine the requirements of the newer games. I am not saying that they're not playable. But you will quickly realize that for a smooth game play you need to tune down resolution. And the resolution you should try first in that case is 1280x720 because it is a factor of 1920x1080 and so fits on the HD screen perfectly. Yes, it's a non-native resolution, but things do look very pretty in games that I tried. It's far more important to be able to render high quality textures (a separate option in most games) or 32 bit colors (as opposed to 16 bit) than run the game at 1920x1080 just so it matched screens native resolution. You will notice immediately the drop in "prettyness" if you reduce the quality of colors or textures, while dropping resolution down to 1280x720 will have a significantly less noticeable effect (quality wise) but a big increase in speed and smoothness. And ultimately, speed and smoothness is what matters more in FPS games.

 

Uhm, it's really not even vaguely that bad. You're both overestimating 1920x1080's demands and underestimating what a pocket rocket the 5650 is, it's a fantastic little GPU. I play Dirt 2, HL2 + EP1&2, LFD2, Bioshock 1 & 2, Just Cause 2, and Crysis on high at 1920x1080. It runs new games fine at high detail and native resolution. The only game I have that I've had to play below native resolution is GTA IV, and that's just because it's a horribly optimised pile of turd.

 

so now, what about the battery?
take it off completely or leave it on with battery care function

 

Hmm it really does seem to be peoples set ups that effect whether it plays well, as some people are saying you really can't play new games at native res with the HD screen. You have quite high specs though Mythdat - maybe that contributes, as not everyone is able to achieve this. How far does the hard drive you have contribute to its performance?

I'm going to stick with the low res for now - if I fancy a better screen down the line I guess it can be replaced without any probs.

 

i can not setup win XP for my vaio EB series
Anyone can share me link to download windows xp can install in vaio eb siries?

 

Is there a hardware and maintenance manual out for these laptops? (I'm looking for the part number for the EB series keyboards)

 

With battery care on it doesn't make a lot of difference. Technically it's better for the battery if it's taken out for heat issues, but I just leave it in.

I don't think it's so much people's setups, my CPU will probably give 1 or 2 fps at the most over a 430M, and my SSD gives close to zero performance in games, other than quicker loading times. I think it's more to do with people's perceptions and expectations of what "playable" is. To me, a consistent 30+ fps is playable, whereas other people for some reason seem to think anything less than 60 is completely unplayable.

 

This is true, ah I wish you could test run laptops against all your needs before buying them!

I've ordered mine now so no changing the screen - I think I'll be happy with the extra fps though so its not a prob.

Although is it easy to change the screen on these things - like to the HD, as I may be doing a bit of graphic design on it in the future and less gaming, so it would suit my needs more at a later date. I know you can sometimes do it yourself, does anyone know if it is possible on these laptops?

 

50 and 60 frame rates are used by the hdtv decoder in my TV. The resolution is in HD and has a specifically designed processor. people who say that anything below 60 is unplayable make me feel that they are wrong because I highly doubt they are playing at HDTV broadcast quality. besides can the human eye even see above(i'm not sure) 28 fps?

 

I'm sure you can replace the screen, but I dont think it'd be an easy job, probably a bit fiddly!

The human eye not being able to see above 24/28/30 is a bit of a myth - we can't see the individual frames beyond that level, but there is still an improvement in terms of smoothness and responsiveness, especially when there's no smoothing to blend the frames together. But still, the idea that you need 60+ fps for something to be playable is just silly.

 

Laptop came back from "repair" and issue still is there! For some reason they decided to replace the hdd when the problem is with the wireless! It's a very minor problem and they've checked it all over so I guess it can't be hardware related fault. It probably isn't a fault at all. Wierd that it didn't happen with my old laptop or with my brother's one though. Just glad to have it back and I got some benefit - a complimentary cleaning cloth! Yay!

 

Well, I play only multiplayer first person shooters. I also enjoy sometimes to play on servers with small maps and +20 players. So it's guaranteed that in Urban Terror for example, half of such map will be covered in smoke and explosions (which shake whole screen). Smooth operation is essential there. If I play at 90fps but then there is a sudden firefight, the fps may easily drop to 60 fps, and I notice that and also adverse effects. But if normal fps is only 45 which may seem ok at first, if that drops to 25 in a firefight, the game can become borderline unplayable. So, for the games I play, I prefer to make sure that game runs at 100 fps without any players, then limit fps at around 83. Then the multilayer FPS oscillates around 65-83 resulting in a relatively smooth game play.

Maybe you're right about other 3D games. If there are no wild fluctuations in FPS during the game, then 35-40FPS is enough to play a game.

 

aww man, i'm such a retard, feel so miserable because i screwed up my (not even delivered) laptop configuration. I hope the hd5470 isnt like an integrated gpu, even though i wont really be playing games....dammet...say...

I tried something today, i turned off page filing on all of my hard drives and got a performance boost that you can actually see, stuff started working much quicker, i dont get it, if this is possible, then why the hell dosent the os use more ram even though its at 15% util?

 

Hi

Is a replacement keyboard available for the E series but with backlighting ?

 

I searched the thread but the graphics software situation is still not clear to me. It seems like it is not possible to download from AMD and install the latest Radeon HD software suite (Control Center, driver, etc). So how do we go about getting the latest graphics driver and utilities. Does Sony provide them?


Also, somewhat related question. What kind of memory is sold with Vaios that have 5470 graphics with 512MB of ram? All I see in Catalyst is that it has 512MB and runs at 790Mhz.

 

Download GPU-Z and run it. It should tell you everything. I hope you can reply back with what kind it is because I really hope Sony are giving out GDDR5 and I'm sure people with the 5470 would like to know.

Drivers:
The one at the AMD site is this one. its 10.6, which one are you looking for?

 

It says GDDR3

 

Sony don't provide them. ATI don't officially either - if you try to download via the dowloader utility, which is how they distrubute their drivers, Sony machines are blocked. You can bypass it by downloading the raw installer file, which ATI have hidden away on their servers here:

www2.ati.com/drivers/mobile/10-6_mobility_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc.exe

Link should be the same for each new release, replacing 10-6 with 10-7 etc

 

fonts...fonts....fonts ...is my big...big concern...

 

I've been wondering the same thing myself. Call me crazy, but the lack of keyboard backlighting is the only thing that has stopped me from buying this model. It's perfect for me in almost every other way. It's a shame that those of us in the US can't get the 1080p screen like those in the UK, but I can live without that if I have to. On the other hand, I do need a backlit keyboard due to using it in bed and in the living room in the dark while the lady of the house is watching TV. I've even wondered if the keyboard from the F series can be retrofitted into this one.

I've been going back and forth between this one and the F series for quite a while. Mainly, I need it for internet, Microsoft Office, and watching movies. The screen issues I hear about on the F and what I saw of the F's screen in Best Buy has me worried about going that route. Plus, I don't need an i7 processor for what I do, so less heat and extra battery life would be great with the E series with extended battery option. It's just the lack of a backlit keyboard...

I've even wondered if buying the E and ordering the optional keyboard skin in either light green or blue would make it easier to see in the dark. Due to the keyboard being more brightly colored and the light of the screen reflecting off the lighter than black skin color.

 

Thanks for the link. Do you know why do they do this?

 

Newegg.com shipped my VPC-E to Indiana less than a month ago, and it has 1080p screen. My options were somewhat limited (only i3-330 with Radeon HD 5470 graphics) but this system was perfect for my budget (about $820, with free shipping). They still probably have them. But yeah, no ideas about the keyboard.. Try a different brand.

 

any hint about the name of XP 32&64 drivers?

 

Yeah, it was the EC that I was looking at. The 17.3". Unfortunately, no 1080p in the US.

 

Sony, Toshiba and Panasonic opted out of ATI's mobility driver program.

 

Been wondering about this too. It would make sense that Sony would re-use whatever they could in different models, only thing is, the F series is 16.4" while the E series is 14", 15.5" and 17.3". But maybe they've re-used the keyboard from an older Vaio model?

 

man what....this sucks, big time.....

 

I think the EB and EC series use the same keyboard as F series, at least the layout is the same just different frame. EC and F has wider gap from the edge of keyboard to the edge of the laptop.
The EA use the same keyboard as CW, S, etc.

 

I'm looking at getting either the EB or EC series with the core i5-520m, the 320 gb 7200 rpm hdd, and the ATI HD5470.
Do any of you have recommendations about which is a better laptop?
Also, what is the battery life like on these in reality (not just what they say)?

 

placed an order for the EB 9 weeks ago. got cancelled last week because the chasiss or something changed and the old one was out of stock. rang them up and they gave me the same laptop with a faster processor, free bluray and free express delivery. should be here next week or so.

 

Just looked at some pictures of the three models there, I think you're dead right!
EB Series

F series

EC Series

There's a pretty big space between the ends of the keyboard and the edges of the laptop on the EC series, a slightly smaller one on the F series, and a pretty small one on the EB series.
Well, I hope I can find one of these keyboards in UK layout soon... I just ordered an EB from Germany this morning! Saw one that had been RMAd and had had its screen replaced, it was reduced to $985 from $1150, so I decided to take my chances with it. I must be out of my mind.
Specs are: i5 430M, 1080p screen and Radeon HD5650. I'm hoping to do a keyboard switch for a UK one and a HDD switch to an SSD.

 

Can someone explain to me whether or not you can order one from another country because I've ordered in the UK and I kept wondering if they had US keyboards but I never asked. Damn, I coulda ordered from the states..

you've gotta be the luckiest guy alive

 

DXVA not support playing H.264 with kmplayer+mpc video decoder?
i gust have a black screen
DXVA in KMPlayer
10.6 drivers.

 

Well, if mklasse's theory is right, what you could do is just get one of these F Vaio keyboards and switch it out. It'd be nice to get confirmation that this would work first, though. Where in the giant Sony support machine would be able to tell us this, or would they even be willing to?

 

what the hell its like 19 bucks and 20 postage?!!,

hell i would love it if some one could verify this .... then i'd show off my eb and laugh at other suckers. I guess i would like to know 1.cable connector compatibility, 2.it it actually fits and 3. how do you turn on the back light, i'm presuming the f has a switch. hey, maybe this is why sony came up with the mix and match funny colors from all over the place on the eb. simply being dumb and re-using old hardware...

 

try with the halli splitter, no, wait, try this first: 1.Disable KMP video Transform filter in DVD settings. 2.In video processing, condition-disable if the four cc is as follows. Fourcc: mpg1 mpg2 wmv3 h264 avc1. 3.In filter info, settings, select to use hardware acceleration.

also try this guide(not for kmp)

 

Heh well that's international postage (I was looking at it from ebay.co.uk), it's $10 in the US. I think I'll fire off an email to one of these addresses, would "product information and purchasing" be the right place to ask?
EDIT: The more I look at it, the more I am convinced that these are the exact same keyboards. And I actually prefer the metallic finish!

 

i think it's a bug
Video freeze with EVR - The KMPlayer's Forums

any way, i have mpc-hc portable x64 for the moment...

 

you know what, i have a feeling of doubt that anyone would know anything. the only way would be for some one to try it. i'm really into this but i cant stand the idea of having to open up a new vaio. you know what, i'm gonna try to look on the web for the exact cable specifications for the f11 keyboard. if theyre the same as the eb then imna give this a go, risking some bucks, anyway, i doubt a seller will be able to help out but, well you never know.

 

I think you're right... I just got an automated response from customer care:

Well I don't mind opening mine up when I get it, because the one I ordered had been RMAd and has had its screen replaced, so it actually has no manufacturers warranty. (while I'm mentioning that, does anyone think that sounds a bit dodgy?) I'm thinking about buying one of these keyboards too and just taking the risk of them not being compatible. And does anyone else actually prefer the metallic finish too or is that just me?

 

are you kidding me? it would look insane! like a limited edition premium E series from vaio! i was wondering...how exactly do you break the warranty on the E? is there a sticker or something?

(ha! I've found an Irish Notebook Geek today! well what d ya know...no offence!)

 

Just googled it (and found particular on this forum)
https://www.servicesplus.sel.sony.com/default.aspx
Look around, and report us when you find it

 

If you're having trouble with EVR+DXVA video playback, getting purple artifacts or no picture at all, try disabling color mode and motion reality settings located under Display in Vaio Control Center

 

waiting for 10.7 drivers plus VLC 1.1.1
AMD did provide us a beta of this driver and we have verified successfully that GPU acceleration works.
VLC 1.1.1 Multimedia Player Coming w/ GPU Decoding For AMD - Legit Reviews

 

I just thought of something. The F series has a built-in light sensor on the laptop just above the keyboard. This controls the keyboard backlighting. The E series does not have this sensor. How would the lighted keyboard work?

Basically, just constant on until shut-down or sleep mode?

 

E-series keyboard is not back-lit.