Sony VAIO XL1 Digital Living System Media Center PC
By Paul Miller 
posted October 19th 2005 8:45AM
posted October 19th 2005 8:45AM
Well Sony is swinging around those new VAIO X Media
Center boxes we mentioned a bit ago. The VAIO XL1 Digital Living System includes HDMI video out, WiFi, an external
DVD changer, and a wireless keyboard with track pad. PC Magazine has the review, and they're definite fans: they say
it's got more inputs and outputs than any other Media Center they've spied,
and the 200 disc DVD changer can rip through 200 CDs automatically, or burn 200 blank DVDs without monitoring. There's
a catch though: just one analog TV tuner. Well, that and Sony'll take a hefty sum of money off your hands while they're
at it — $2300 will net you the set.
[Thanks, TwoEleven]
Seems somewhat short sighted to sell a higher-end MCE unit without an HD tuner, or multiple analog tuners at the very least.
Here's the product page for more info:
http://products.sel.sony.com/xl1/index.html
That looks like a nice system from Sony. Although the single tuner sucks, I'm sure it's upgradable. However, the price ain't bad if you consider that DVD changer as part of the package. THose things can be expensive. Wouldn't mind having one of these systems :-D
I got a little excited when I saw HDMI out, but without high def, I'm still just turned off to these things. I've been craving a media center pc for quite some time now, but it seems like I'm gonna be waiting quite some more time until I can get a good one with HD at a reasonable price.
I'll just have to live with my Comcast DVR for now... which by the way isn't too bad... I have the new Scientific Atlanta HD DVR they offer and its got good picture quality, it's very responsive compared to other STB's I've used, and I don't mind their interface at all... though I'll admit this is my first experience with a DVR, so I don't have a basis for comparison other than what I've seen/heard/read. Anyone else have one of those boxes? I haven't really seen reviews on it and I'd like to know what others think.
Sorry to get off topic.
That price is going to have to drop 50% for me to bite with what they're offering.
To the person who wins the Powerball:
(because it won't be me :-( )
With your $160+M (after taxes), I'm sure that I won't be the first to ask you for money......BUT in the grand scheme of things, what's $2300? If you want to be a kind soul and buy me this Sony dream system, I would be ever grateful.
Sincerely,
The latest non-powerball winner.
Woooha! What a price tag!
Still, one of the sexiest Media Center cases I've seen.
-dg
What I don't get is the 200 disc changer...Why? To me this is a pirate movie dealers paradise. Set that going a night before a carboot sale and you'll be quids in.
Forget the computer. I just want the changer to add to my system. I could do some major damage with that thing.
I'm with michael, they can keep their computer, gimme a couple 'o them changers!
YARRR....that be good leechin'!
A Sony 400 DVD disc changer with HDMI output only costs a mere $300.
A 200 disc changer that both plays and rips CDs has got me salivating uncontrollably. Please let them offer this separate from the HTPC! (in that vein, does anybody know of a comparable product on the market now?)
Plus, you know it's only a matter of time before some kind soul writes an app to integrate it with DVD Shrink: pop in your DVD collection before you go in vacation and come home to hundreds of gigs of hard disk movie goodness.
It pays for it self, if you know what I mean.