Home theater computers that will support CableCard digital receivers are right around the corner. Most of the announced products to date have been from smaller manufacturers like Niveus or VidaBox. Sony is also preparing their own version of a Vista-based media center computer, named the VAIO Digital Living System VGX-XL3 . With a great overall design, the VAIO XL3 looks like a piece of high-end stereo equipment. From Sony’s website:
The XL3 Digital Living System™ is digital cable ready and features an OCUR receiver, which is a digital cable receiver and interface that accepts a TV CableCARD. The CableCARD removable security module, which must be obtained from your local service provider, allows you to access the digital cable channels to which you subscribe without the need for a set-top-box. Windows Vista™ Home Premium with Media Center functionality acts as your DVR, letting you record and catalog your favorite TV programs to the hard drive. These innovative tools let you consolidate your entertainment center by replacing your HD DVR and digital cable set-top-box with the VAIO XL3.
The system integrates Blu-ray and an internal digital tuner for CableCard support. Beside the design, the appealing aspect of the system is that the digital tuner is built right into the system. The downside, and quite frankly it is a big downside, is that it only has one digital tuner. Why is this a big deal? Having only one tuner means you cannot watch AND record television at the same time.
With a price over $3000, it should come with more than one tuner. A Series 3 Tivo even has multiple tuners.
Sony could have a very attractive system if the price was about $1000 less and included a second tuner.
March 24th, 2007 at 5:42 am
$3000! how ridiculous. i’ll be in this market when they are $1500 or less (and of course include 2 tuners).
March 27th, 2007 at 1:02 am
Yup, kind of crazy when you think about it. How can this work in the marketplace?
April 12th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
A major contributor to the high price is the Blu-ray (BD) writer. After-market BD internal recorders are in the $700 price range.
I agree that the lack of a 2nd tuner is unfortunate. Take a look at the picture of the back of the unit. The horizontal slot is for the CableCard TV tuner. Note that there is a blank opening above that .. presumably, a second CableCard-based tuner could go into that spot.
May 6th, 2007 at 4:07 am
Be prepared to spend mega hours tinkering and contacting tech. support profusely. The Blu Ray playback is great and breathtaking. It takes some hoop jumping to get to the Blu Ray player, but once you’re there, it’s worth it. Unfortunately, you can only get Blu Ray audio through optical, not HDMI. Therefore, you have to use your Surround Sound Receiver for Blu Ray audio, not your TV speakers. Too bad you cannot do both.
The computing part is fairly typical. It’s a Vista computer, and you can install and use all normal software (with a 500 gig hard drive and ample input/output interfaces).
The really bad news is getting the Cable Card to function properly. Premium channels from cable provider doesn’t come in as promised. Moreover, recording TV content to disk is mostly copy protected (including the local cable access channel for government meetings!). In the Media Center option, you can only use DVD-R/RW^DVD+R/W/DL to function properly (Blu Ray and DVD-RAM doesn’t work in the Media Center recording option). The ULead Blu Ray recorder/editor only works with DV camcorders or flash memory content, not archived TV content on the hard drive. Moreover, if you record to Blu Ray disk and attempt to play on a competitor’s player, it only works on the Samsung unit.
If you are looking for a Vista computer, Blu Ray Player, basic cable player, and Blu Ray recorder for DV Camcorder content all in one, this is your dream machine. If you want more, save your money and wait for a better unit.
May 6th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Gregory,
Thanks for the info. Have you actually gotten your hands on one? It sounds like you have.
You should be able to get the premium cable channels to work.