Got a GRT-360ZG

I finally broke down and got a VAIO PCG-GRT360ZG:

3.06 P4 HT
512 MB DDR SDRAM
DVD +- RW, CDRW
Gigapocket TV tuner
16.1" SXGA (XBRITE)
80 GB HD
Wireless g/b

I have already put the Gigapocket to good use. I recorded a bunch of my home movies (VHS) to the hard drive, then edited and made a DVD movie out of it. Worked great!! I have also recorded various TV shows from my DirecTV and cable.
Bought a wireless router as well.... hooked up wireless to DSL no problems,then made a home network to transfer files from my old desktop to my new laptop. Worked fine.
The laptop is a bit heavy and the battery doesn't last forever (about 2 hr), but this thing will replace my desktop and sit there most of the time anyways.
The screen is tremendous. I actually replaced my small TV in my bedroom with the VAIO... and use the remote control to watch tv before I go to sleep.
Running my chemistry sofware programs has been great so far. Able to run several at once without a slowdown in performance.
The only thing I may want to do is upgrade the RAM to 1 GB... but I'm not sure if that screws up the warranty...will have to check into that.
So far, so good...and I love it!

-- ZChem

 

If I may ask, why did you finally decide Sony? Interested on your thought process. You were also looking at a Toshiba.

 

Great to hear. I'm glad you went with the Sony! [ ] Adding more memory doesn't void the warranty. I'm going to do that as well. I expect you to be a regular on this forum now. [ ]

 

Hey Slat...sorry for the late reply...I did not realize I was not subscribed to this thread....anyways...

I decided to go with the Sony for several reasons.

1. I know we beat this to death already, but the screen rocks, especially when you see it lined up next to all the other laptops in the stores.

2. Gigapocket: Love this feature...While you can buy hardware and software separately to do the same job, having it already built in and integrated with the computer has proven to be great for my needs. It's like having a Tivo that burns DVD copies of anything I can get on my DirecTV!

3. The Specs: pretty good specs, needed for some of the work I am doing on it. My only complaint is for higher RAM, which I will get sometime soon.

4. Sony vs. Toshi: Most other things being basically equal, the Sony had the much better screen, better support, and did not have the windows media center edition, which I wanted to avoid for various reasons. I actually spent a lot of time looking at a Fujitsu, which also had similar specs and a nice screen (I think it was the N5000). I think the gigapocket tipped the scale enough for me to get the Sony.

So far, I have had no problems at all and am very satisfied with my purchase. I have already done a bunch of stuff with it. Wireless and home networking work seamlessly. Recording TV and VHS, and making DVD's also easy and no problem. I do need one thing though, a case. If you know of one that will fit this monster and its accessories, at a good price, let me know.

By the way...did you get yours yet? I know you got the wrong model and had to send it back.

 

Thanks to this forum I've decided to buy a Sony... however I can't seem to find a difference between the grt260/270 models and the grt360 models.

Can anyone help?

Thanks alot.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by MaxG

 

Ah I see... thanks alot for the info Slat. Much appreciated.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by MaxG

 

Hi,[ ]
New to this forum. Just bought a PCG GRT 360 ZG. Can't wait till it gets to me. I am also looking for a carry bag- any ideas?
Slat- Are you doing the RAM increase yourself or getting it done?

Love and Peace

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by lankaman

 

Thanks Slat. Great advice. Sony has a case PCG CCGX that seems to fit the job. I will look for a bargain some where!![8)]
I expect to get my computer by this weekend.

Love and Peace

 

Has anyone found a 12V car adaptor for the GRT-360ZG? I'm looking, but can't find any listed anywhere. Thanks in advance for the tips!

 

Can anyone tell me how to hook up my VCR to my GRT360ZG to dub my family vcr tapes. Is it through the Giga Pocket connection coaxial input? Thanks.

What a great computer this is. Took back a K15 to get it.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by teerexx52

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by ZChem

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by teerexx52

 

Thanks for the quick replies. This is surely a friendly and helpful forum. So, I can take the coax cable from the VCR out and into the adapter cable that came with the Sony and into the VHF in?

I am really enjoying this laptop and it is my only computer as I do not have a desktop. It took me awhile to actually get it. I started with an Emachines M6805 AMD 64bit. I found that I did not like the widescreen and ended up getting rid of it. I then moved on to the Sony K15. It was great but a bit buggy. It would not boot when I had USB peripherals plugged into it. I worked with Sony on it but they eventually told me to return it. When I did the dealer had not more K15s so I took the opportunity to move up to this GRT. I like the SXGA better than I do the UXGA. The SXGA seems right for my vision. The UXGA was just too small. I upgraded the memory to 1GB and it is running great. I sometimes wonder why Sonys get a bad rap on some of the other boards. I really think this is a great machine.

If anyone has any further tips or suggestions for me please let me know. Thanks!

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by teerexx52

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by teerexx52

 

Is it different if I have satellite dish(Dish network)? Using the remote for channel surfing?
[|)]

Love and Peace

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by lankaman

 

I am looking to buy a sony, specifically the grt270g which i found for $1500.
Ebay has very few of these units for sale and it is hard to find a good selection w/ nextag, pricegrabber, bizrate or froogle. froogle is where I found the GRT270G for $1500.
My sony buying experience was sparked by an frv37 I saw on Ebay, which there seem to be tons of along with the frv35. And CHEAP too $600-$1000. But then I read about Gigapocket and hyper threading and found the GRT series (I know no hyper threading). I am looking to stay under $2000 and am tired of looking at all the series that sony has trying not to pass up a future required technology.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

SLAT
you mentioned the difference between the 260/270 & 360/380/390 is the ram. what about hyper threading and the gigapocket options?

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Lon

 

the grt270g I am looking at on sony's website has gigapocket.

GRT270G

where did you get yours?
Here is where I am looking at buying it for $1500 NEW
OSCommerce

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Lon

 

Anyone knows which corsair memory is compatible with the 360ZG? Thanks

 

Hi,
I bought a new Sony PCG-GRT360ZG the one i think you have already, but i don't know how to work with TV Tuner, and Video Input. can you help me?
which channel can i tune by this lap top, is it working like a satelite reciver or not?
any information with be great,
thanks for your help
Best Regards
MAssood
P.S. write me at [email protected]

 

Garshabi,

I have replied by email.

ZChem

 

Hi,
I travel a great deal and have to "lug" my 360ZG. Battery life is bad. Does anyone know of a compatible adapter to use in airline. Also is it worthwhile putting in a 2nd battery so I can work on the road or in the air?
[?][?][?]

Love and Peace

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by lankaman

 

I recently bought a Coleman 400watt Power Inverter(new) at a thieft market for 20bucks. I plugged the car adapter in and tested on a lamp...works fine. Then I tried it on my GRT-360ZG adapter and the 10amp lighter fused blew. The power invert works fine, its 40amp fused didnt blow. My question is...should I increase the amp to 15-20amp or find a new source to power my laptop? I searched on here and saw some potiental adapters...like the kensingtons...have looked indepth into them yet. Thanks

 

Ideas anyone?...*bump*[B)]

 

Hi ZChem,
Are you using a Sony battery or generic brand(if available?)?
The adapter for the charger - is there a specific brand. I have tried Best Buy,Fry's and others-they do not carry any compatible "stuff" for GRT series.
Please help- I am travelling again in a few days.

lankaman

Love and Peace

 

ZChem- saw your post regarding hooking up to Directv.

I tried using the S-Video cable, but I can't get sound, only video.

What am I doing wrong? I can get over-the-air with the TV tuner including sound. I can't figure out the required settings to get sound using the S-video cable from by Sony satellite box. Any tips??

 

Hey guys, brand new but glads to be here.
I too have a 360ZG, with a problem. I was just wondering if anyone else has had it too.
If I'm running on battery and the power-saving program turns the screen off BEFORE the system goes into ibernation mode, I can resume from it but the screen stays off.
I know, I know... how can I tell if it resumes if I can't see anything?
Answer: I can hear it. and, using using the start menu from the keyboard, I can shut it down.

Other than that, no problems!

 

Hello again everyone...sorry for being gone for awhile, I have been extremely busy lately.

Vinnie: sorry guy...no ideas on car adapters.

Lankaman: I bought an extra standard battery built by Sony, at Frys. And yes, it was friggin expensive.

Boltnbrew: To be honest, I haven't even tried the s-video yet...just knew it was an option... I use the regular cable and adapter, and it works fine. If you get the settings figured out, please post them...in the mean time, I' might grab an s-video cable and try it as well. Also, did you need an external antenna to get over the air tv?

Projectbluebird: If you recharge the battery, and the screen still stays off until you restart, then I don't know what the problem might be.... I'm guessing that the battery does not have enough power to run the screen when you hit the low level, but I would think that recharging would allow it to work, unless there is a glitch that requires a restart after recharging. I haven't had this problem yet, as I am almost always plugged in. Try going to your power settings under the control panel and change some of the settings.... might prevent that from happening.

ZChem

 

Hey Z-Chem,

Yes, I used an over-the-air antenna that's at the top of a sailboat mast! I'm using the laptop as an intergrated part of the boat's navigation system (Raymarine by Raytheon), plus it's our entertainment center: MP3 player; a DVD player and I wanted to be able to use the Gigapocket to keep movies and other stuff from DirecTV on my harddrive to play back while on the water. Any tips from Gigapocket users on how to connect to Directv satellite box would be appreciated!! In the meantime, I'll try the coax cable method. Stay tuned.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by boltnbrew

 

Thanks for the idea ZChem, but the problem is not with the battery. Doesn't matter if it is fully charged or not. If the screen goes into power save mode before the computer does, it wont turn back on. I've tried changing the power settings, But haven't been mobile recently. Guess I'll unplug it and see what happens!

By the by, has anyone else noticed that if you boot-up on battery and then plug in, the CPU stays throttled down to half speed?

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by ZChem

 

For all of you that have a problem with your VAIO dropping its processing speed because you're not plugged in, I have a solution that is step by step.

1. Click start, Run (or windows key and R)
2. Type msconfig in the Run box
3. Go to the startup tab
4. Scroll down to PowerPanel and uncheck it, then click OK
5. After clicking OK you should be asked to restart your machine, go ahead and restart
Your system shuold be okay now, if you need any further assistance with this problem or any other computer related problems feel free to E-Mail me at [email protected] or IM me on AIM at Brucel86.

 

For all of you that have a problem with your VAIO dropping its processing speed because you're not plugged in, I have a solution that is step by step.

1. Click start, Run (or windows key and R)
2. Type msconfig in the Run box
3. Go to the startup tab
4. Scroll down to PowerPanel and uncheck it, then click OK
5. After clicking OK you should be asked to restart your machine, go ahead and restart
Your system shuold be okay now, if you need any further assistance with this problem or any other computer related problems feel free to E-Mail me at [email protected] or IM me on AIM at Brucel86.

 

Hi Guys! Im really new around here. Just thinking in buying a notebook, and sony vaio is my only option. the problem comes to two things:

1.- model: Im an architect, and I use a lot of heavy software (autocad, 3ds max, etc) so i need something with power, but with a top price of 2400 dollars. My two choices are the PCG K27 or the GRT 360KZ. As a matter of taste, I think that the design of the K series is cooler than the GRT, but video and screen and TV make up a lot for the GRT. The first big problem is that I mailed to sony style usa and they seem not to have that model. They only show the 380 and 270. Does it mean that the 360 is out of stock or something? Please some advice...

2.- keyboard compatibility. Do you know if it´s posible to buy a VAIO notebook (one of the two mentioned) in USA, and here in my country change the keyboard for one in spanish (with "ñ"?), or order one with the keyboard already changed?? I´m thinking that cause the power notebooks from sony are not available here in my country.

Thanks a lot guys, you seem to know a lot, so that´s why I ask for your help.

See you!

Ronald.-

> add cool sentence here <

 

grt360zg has also a TV tuner and US models only support NTSC. if in your country TV broadcasting system is PAL then the tuner is useless. just wanted to remind it.

 

Hi, I also got a Sony pcg-grt360ZG the one question I have so far is, do you guys notice a big difference in your connection to the Internet? I have Cable Modem, and the laptop seemed real slow compared to it, I know the MBPS is much lower but should it be that much slower? does it have anything to do with my firewall? any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated! thanks in advance!