c’mon gr00vyone…at least some specs on cost!

This is great news…again, we all appreciate your efforts.

Ok, new update. I have to give huge huge props to Mrs. Gadget for helping me out on the Bluetooth stuff. I have great news for you all and will now divulge the information now that I can confirm that it works. I will be providing a huge write up with the usual pictures so you can do this upgrade with confidence.

How I Found The Part

Basically, I was pondering the Bluetooth upgrade and realized that Sony was touting Bluetooth in some of their new models. The model that caught my eye was the Z1VAP1 model which had Bluetooth. Now, also being a slim and light model, I made the assumption that Sony would probably use the same or similar part. So, I looked up the Z1VAP1’s spare part list over at SparePartsWarehouse. Sure enough I found the Bluetooth module and ordered it.

First of all, you can order the part from one of two places (that I know of).
You are looking for part 1-234-803-21 (or 123480321). You can find this part at:

http://www.sparepartswarehouse.com
http://servicesales.sel.sony.com/web/index.jsp

Sony’s price is $112.50 and SparePartsWarehouse’s price is $115. I backordered my part from SparePartsWarehouse since that was the first place I found it. Shipping was $12 so it was $127. You may have to pay tax if you’re located in their state (Ohio). You will have to phone the order in at SparePartsWarehouse as they will have to backorder the part. I believe Sony also doesn’t have it in stock so place your order now!  :D

The Part Arrives

To my surprise, the box for the part actually says Bluetooth Module PCG-TR1/B. Hell yes! That’s how I knew this going to work some way or the other. Thank goodness for Sony’s internal standardization on parts. It’s actually made by Alps and it’s extremely small.

Installation Woes

Installation (which I will detail later) was a breeze but software was a huge issue.

Basically, I found most of the software needed (Bluetooth Virtual ComPort, Bluespace NE, Wireless Switcher Utility) and what I thought was the correct driver. It turns out that I had the wrong driver so it wasn’t working. I also thought it might be a cable issue.

I was wrong on all counts. Mrs. Gadget was kind enough to send me the driver file from her TR1MP last night and I “upgraded” the wrong driver I had installed and suddenly…lots of new devices found and voila! It works!!!!

What you need to know

Ok, it works but not fully. I’m still waiting for the cable to arrive (later today) because there’s some issues. The range of the Bluetooth module (without the antenna cable) is a measly 9-10 inches (22-23 cm). That may be good enough for some people but it’s somewhat limiting. I suspect the cable will give you 10-20ft. range as it hooks into the TR’s internal antenna built into the screen. So, I’ll have an update on this once I get the cable installed.

The cable part is a little trickier. I don’t know the exact cable part number. I have found one that I think might be the right one (for the Z1VAP1) but it was on backorder again so I looked for the source of the cables and found one that “might” be compatible so I ordered it. If it works then I’ll let you know how to get it as it’s 1/3 the price of the Sony part.

The Guide
I will have the “how-to” guide with tons of pictures on how to do the upgrade later today or definitely by tomorrow. Also, I will have to figure out a way to get drivers out to people who want to attempt this. I can’t post them publicly because if Sony finds out they will shut down this site. So, just send me a PM with your e-mail address and I’ll either send it to you or point you to a place where you can download it.

Enjoy guys and gals!!!

Awesome!  Great work Gr00vy0ne.  Can’t wait to install it eventually.

Anyone want to buy a 4 week old Sony BT Dongle? 

The irony here is that the drivers are probably hidden away on the Sony FTP site called BTD_51260011520004.exe or something similarly descriptive.

Probably, I did find 75% of the necessary drivers/apps on their site. However, the driver itself was nowhere to be found. I downloaded all of those BTDxxxxxxx.zip drivers too.  :(

gr00vy0ne.  I realize “The Bluetooth Project” is still evolving, but I just wanted to plant the seed that a lot of us are using the Sony BT dongle with the accompanying Bluespace software.  If we need to uninstall/reconfigure that software (Bluespace NE 3.1.00.03310), it might be worth mentioning when you get to the point of documenting the procedure for transformation.  You definitely have our attention.  Thank you.

Bluespace mainly a “helper” program. It helps you set up BT devices and can initiate serial connections manually. You could uninstall Bluespace and many of your BT services would still work. The low-level work is done by the BT stack installed along with BS via a Windows XP hotfix. I can shut down BS entirely and still connect to the Net via my BT-enabled phone, but you do need BS active to sync with a BT-enabled Palm (there’s a hook in BS for Hotsync).

THe Vaio site for europe posts the original driver package on their site, 15mb i guess that would have the bluetooth driver in it?

[quote author=“Mrs Gadget”]THe Vaio site for europe posts the original driver package on their site, 15mb i guess that would have the bluetooth driver in it?

I downloaded that one before and for some reason it didn’t work. However, it seems like it is the correct one. Perhaps, I was delusional at the time. At any rate, the direct link to what looks like the same stuff I have can be found from Sony Europe’s site.

The direct link is ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/Vaio/Bluetooth/BTD_ASS_100B_UK.exe for English users.

You do not have to uninstall your Bluespace software. I was using the same software with my USB adapter until I got this thing to work. It simply recognizes the new Bluetooth device and starts working. I’ll have more about this in detail…

Wow, just tuned in here, Gr00vy0ne once again you have achieved master status.  This is awesome, I can now get rid of my TDK PCMCIA adapter (works great but sticks out).  Your work is much appreciated.

This is great, ordering my module right now.  Can’t wait to order the antenna cable.  Is that drivers site confirmed to work, or are we still PMing you our emails?

Try out the link first and see if it works for you…otherwise, PM me and I’ll send you what I have. The UK folks seem to think it’s the exact same thing shipping with their TR1MPs so I tend to believe them that it should be the correct item.

Hey guys make sure you put your orders in.  I called spareparts warehouse and they were showing it backordered, the rep said it could be a couple of weeks to a month.  Put my order in.

Thanks again gr00vy0ne.

Put my order in earlier, except through the Sony site.

I placed my order through SpareParts Warehouse.  It will be interesting to see if Sony gets the module first.  They are very slow at times with back-ordered items.  I doubt that SpareParts Warehouse will be much faster but we shall see.  If anyone gets their order delivered please post it so that we have an idea on delivery timelines.  Thanks.