Sony VAIO JS1: All-in-One with optional Blu-ray & high-def audio editing

Sony's VAIO JS series of all-in-one desktop PCs – which were announced last month - has been re-announced for Europe, together with some new spec details and photos.  Powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 processor with 3GB of RAM, a 500GB hard-drive and WiFi b/g/n, the JS1's crowning glory is a 20.1-inch 1680 x 1050 X-black display with an Intel GMA X4500HD video card doing the business behind the scenes.

There's also some serious audio capabilities on offer, with Dolby virtual surround sound and Sony's own Sound Reality chip that can play, record and edit SACD audio.  SonicStage Mastering Studio software, preinstalled on the JS1, can upconvert standard CD audio to uncompressed Direct Stream Digital (DSD) format, and then remaster it into 5.1 surround sound.

Blu-ray is an option (although one not mentioned on the European release) and there's an integrated 1.3-megapixel webcam.  Price in Europe is as-yet unknown, but in the US the VAIO JS range will be priced from $999 (with a DVD-RW drive) to $1,449 (with a read-only Blu-ray drive) with availability this Fall.

Press Release:

VAIO JS1-Series

The VAIO JS1-Series all-in-one PC seems to offer buyers the impossible: it has a large, high-resolution screen, yet it takes up less desk space than most notebooks. It achieves this apparent contradiction by virtue of its sleek and stylish design. The compact keyboard can be slotted underneath the main unit when not in use, leaving only a modest footprint on the desk. Even when the keyboard is out, the JS1-Series takes up remarkably little room.

Despite its modest space requirements, the JS1's main unit incorporates a generously sized 20.1-inch screen complete with multiple lamp technology for exceptional brightness. The display runs at 1680 x 1050 resolution, delivering a huge Windows workspace as well as an imposing widescreen presence when a movie is playing.

All this makes the VAIO JS1 an excellent choice for anyone wanting a rather special home PC. It looks good in almost any room, takes up surprisingly little space and offers an adventurous design a long way away from the standard desktop box. Internally there's raw power for audio-visual applications thanks to the Intel Core™ 2 Duo processor, plus a performance-enhancing 3GB of memory and a roomy 500GB hard disk providing plenty of space for music, pictures and video.

While the large screen is ideal for photo editing, the JS1 also scores well when it comes to the audio side of things. Movie soundtracks are enhanced by Dolby Home Theatre® technology which creates an impressive virtual surround sound effect, and audiophiles can take advantage of the special features offered by Sony's Sound Reality signal processor chip built into the system.

This can handle Super Audio CD (SA-CD), allowing the JS1 to record, edit and play music at SA-CD quality, and even upgrade older recordings to the new standard.

Sound Reality can up-convert conventional CD-quality music into uncompressed Direct Stream Digital (DSD) format. Using the pre-installed SonicStage Mastering Studio software, the DSD signal can be re-mastered into 5.1 Super Audio CD, revitalising the original.

As with the VAIO NS1-Series, JS1 comes with VAIO Movie Story and VAIO Music box for easy, largely automated slideshow and playlist creation. The software package also includes the popular and highly regarded Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 6 for powerful but easy to use photo editing tools plus Adobe Premiere® Elements 4 for video editing.

To round things off the VAIO JS1 has an integrated Motion Eye webcam, making it perfect for video chat or blogging. With its versatility, eye-catching design and big screen, the JS1-Series is the perfect blend of form and function.

VGN-JS1E/S

- Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor E7200

- OS: Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium

- Memory: 3072MB (2048MB+1024MB)

- HDD: 500GB

- Others: WLAN 802.11b/g/Draft n & Camera

- Screen: 20.1" X-black LCD with multiple lamp technology, WSXGA+ (1680x1050)

- Optical: DVD±RW/±R DL/RAM

- Graphics: Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD