Description
Sony PCVA-IMB5A GigaPocket PCI TV Tuner MPEG Realtime Encoder Card
The Sony PCVA-IMB5A is a PCI TV tuner and hardware MPEG realtime encoder card designed for Sony VAIO desktop computers equipped with Sony's GigaPocket personal video recording system. The card combines an RF television tuner with a hardware MPEG encoder, allowing the host PC to capture and record broadcast TV directly to a hard drive without burdening the CPU with software encoding. It was a proprietary Sony component — not a generic retail card — built for specific VAIO models that shipped with GigaPocket software preinstalled.
Specifications & What's Included
- Model / Part Number: PCVA-IMB5A
- Interface: PCI
- Encoder: Hardware MPEG Realtime Encoder
- Main Encoder Chipset: Connexant CX23418 (visible on PCB)
- Tuner Module: Sony BTF-PA401Z (Made in China)
- Video Inputs: Coaxial RF (antenna/cable), S-Video (Mini-DIN 4-pin), Composite (RCA)
- Audio Inputs: Stereo RCA (Left / Right)
- Form Factor: Standard PCI card
- Country of Origin: Taiwan / China (per PCB markings)
- Included: Card only — no software, cables, or mounting bracket
Applications
The PCVA-IMB5A was designed exclusively for Sony VAIO desktop PCs that included Sony's GigaPocket TV and personal video recording platform, popular in the early-to-mid 2000s. GigaPocket was Sony's proprietary DVR-in-a-PC solution, allowing users to schedule TV recordings, pause live television, and manage video content through Sony's bundled software — functionality that predated widespread consumer PVR adoption. The card's hardware MPEG encoder offloaded compression processing from the main CPU, which was especially important on the Pentium 4-era systems these VAIO desktops used. Inputs for coaxial cable/antenna, S-Video, and composite video also made it useful for capturing from VCRs, camcorders, and other analog video sources. Today this card is sought primarily by collectors and users maintaining legacy Sony VAIO GigaPocket systems, or by enthusiasts working with early-2000s hardware-encoder PVR setups.
This Sony PCVA-IMB5A GigaPocket PCI TV Tuner and MPEG Realtime Encoder Card has been inspected and appears to be in good used condition. The board shows normal cosmetic wear consistent with prior use. The PCB is clean, the PCI edge connector looks intact, and the tuner module, video input connectors (coaxial, S-Video, composite), and audio RCA jacks are all present and show no obvious physical damage. It has not been powered up or tested at our facility, but was pulled from a working Sony VAIO environment where it was previously in use. Please view our photo set and contact us if you have any questions.
Warranty Information
Additional Information
Brand: |
Sony |
Model: |
PCVA-IMB5A |
MPN: |
PCVA-IMB5A |
SKU: |
39837 |
Type: |
PCI TV Tuner / MPEG Realtime Encoder Card |
Chipset: |
Connexant CX23418 |
Interface: |
PCI |
Tuner Module: |
Sony BTF-PA401Z (Made in China) |
Video Inputs: |
Coaxial (RF), S-Video, Composite (RCA) |
Audio Inputs: |
Stereo RCA (Left/Right) |
Encoding Format: |
MPEG Realtime Hardware Encoder |
Compatible With: |
Sony VAIO GigaPocket-equipped desktop PCs |
Form Factor: |
PCI Card |
Country/Region of Manufacture: |
Taiwan / China |
Seller Notes: |
Card only — no cables, brackets, or software included. |
Condition Notes: |
This Sony PCVA-IMB5A GigaPocket PCI TV Tuner MPEG Encoder Card is in good used condition with normal cosmetic wear. Not tested at our facility but pulled from a working VAIO system. PCI edge connector and all video/audio inputs intact. |
California Prop 65 Warning: |
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead and lead compounds, and DEHP (a phthalate), which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Go to P65Warnings.ca.gov |