Product Description

Includes: remote control, wireless keyboard, HDMI cable, Firewire cable, S/PDIF optical cable, HDMI-DVI adapter, Mini DVD adapter, wireless antenna, 6 AA batteries, 2 power cords, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 with Service Pack 2, Photoshop Elements, Premiere Standard, Works 8.0, & more. Sony VAIO(R) Digital Living System - The Sony VAIO(R) Digital Living System consists enables you to easily control nearly every aspect of your home entertainment from the comfort of your sofa. It features a powerful desktop computer, with an Intel Pentium D Processor 820 (2.8 GHz), and a 200 disc CD/DVD changers. You get the ability to manage and enjoy your digital photos, audio CDs & digital music, standard & high definition TV content, movies from the Internet, DVDs, camcorder footage and much more! NVIDIA GeForce 6200 x16 PCI Express graphics card with 64MB of DDR SDRAM Sound Reality technology with DSD (Direct Stream Digital) support Integrated 802.11b/g Wi-Fi Adapter Video Outputs - HDMI, DVI-D (through HDMI to DVI-D adapter), & Component (YPbPr) Video Inputs - Gold plated Composite & S-Video (front) Audio Outputs - S/PDIF Optical & Coaxial & Gold Plated Line Out (Left/Right) Audio Inputs - S/PDIF Optical & Gold Plated Line In (Left/Right/Front/Back) TV Tuner - Giga Pocket MPEG2 Realtime Encoder Board with Composite A/V, S-Video, Coaxial (VHF/UHF) inputs Multimedia Card Reader - Memory Stick, Memory Stick(R) PRO/Duo, Compact Flash Type I/II, SD/MMC, SmartMedia, & xD Picture Card Ports - 10/100/1000 Gigabit, 4 USB 2.0 (2 front), 3 Firewire (2 6-pin back / 1 4-pin front), Mic In, Headphone Out, 2 Infrared Transmitter Out Slots - 1 x16 PCI Express (occupied), 2 PCI (1 available) Bays - 3 3.5 half-height (2 available) Unit Dimensions - approx. 17 (w) x 13.8 (h) x 19.5 (d) Unit Weight - appox. 86 lbs. Monitor is not included

---

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2206 in Personal Computers
• Brand: Sony
• Model: VGX-XL1
• CPU: Pentium D 2.8 GHz
• Memory: 512MB DDR SDRAM
• Hard Disk: 200GB
• Processors: 1

Features

• Multimedia desktop PC combined with 200-disc changer/recorder with dual-layer DVD+R burning support
• 2.8 GHz Intel Pentium D dual-core processor (2 MB L2 cache), 200 GB hard drive, 512 MB RAM (2 GB max), additional CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive
• Automatically and sequentially record up to 200 audio CDs; record TV episodes to the hard drive and transfer them to blank DVDs stored in the changer
• 54g Wi-Fi LAN, built-in TV tuner, multi-format memory card reader
• Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 (Update Rollup 2)

Amazon.com Product Description
Bring together your computing and entertainment worlds in one package and control it all with one remote with the Sony VAIO VGX-XL1 Digital Living System, which combines a high-end multimedia desktop PC and a 200-disc DVD/CD changer/recorder. Both are designed to fit into a home entertainment rack and the elegant silver and black casings will nicely complement the rest of your home entertainment system. With the VGX-XL1, you can manage all your downloaded digital content--such as music online stores, home movies from your camcorder, and photos from your digital camera--but it offers the added ability to easily organize, sort, and access packaged content from the CDs and DVDs that are sitting on your bookshelves.

The desktop PC portion of the VGX-XL1 is powered by Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 (Update Rollup 2), which provides support for Media Center Extender technology built into XBox 360 game consoles, and a robust 2.8 GHz Intel Pentium D dual-core processor for powering through multiple applications simultaneously and without stress. Other PC features include 512 MB of installed DDR-2 RAM (2 GB maximum), 200 GB hard drive (with room for up to three SATA hard drives (RAID 0 ready), an NVidia GeForce 6200 video processor with 64 MB of dedicated video RAM, CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive, 54g Wi-Fi LAN, built-in TV tuner, multi-format memory card reader compatible with the most popular digital camera formats, and a wide assortment of pre-loaded Sony multimedia software titles. The 200-disc changer/recorder features multiformat DVD and CD burning capability with dual-layer DVD+R support.

Multimedia Features
With the XL1 Digital Living system, you can consolidate your music library by backing up your music CDs to your hard drive to be stored along with all of your downloaded music. With the touch of a few buttons, you can automatically and sequentially record up to 200 audio CDs from the media changer to the hard drive along with available album covers and track information. You can also record a series of television show episodes to the hard drive and easily transfer them to blank DVDs stored in the changer. The system alerts you to how many discs are needed and you can burn a whole season of your favorite TV program to DVDs to take on your next road trip.

Discs inserted into the 200-disc changer/recorder are automatically detected by the PC which downloads (over a wired or wireless network) available metadata on each one, including jewel case covers and artist information. For movies, an in-depth synopsis is also downloaded in addition to the star, director, producer details and more. All of this information is easily sorted and accessed using the included wireless keyboard or remote control.

Sony's SonicStage Mastering Studio software allows you to record music off of vinyl or tapes by utilizing the Studio's 24bit/96kHz processing technology, producing crisp digital quality sound. Also included are four different effects that allow you to enhance the sounds in the original recordings or to add new effects for remixing. Sony's DVgate Plus software allows you to import video footage from several sources and edit it, giving you the freedom to create your own video masterpiece.

Desktop Basics

• Hard Drive: This entertainment-centric desktop is loaded with a 200 GB Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive, which offers higher speed transfer of data--akin to Firewire and USB 2.0--than typical ATA hard drives. While quite large, it is not the largest capacity available in multimedia PCs, but the VGX-XL1 does offer the capability of adding two additional hard drives.
  
• Processor: The 2.8 GHz Intel Pentium D 820 dual-core processor is one of the strongest processors currently available (as of October 2005). An Intel dual-core processor delivers additional computing resources and help expand the PC's capabilities by providing higher throughput and simultaneous computing. You'll be able to perform multiple tasks such as digital rendering and gaming all while running virus scan or other background tasks seamlessly. Each core has 1MB of L2 cache onboard (for a 2 MB total), and the two cores share an 800MHz front-side bus.

  A hyperthreading processor helps a PC run several demanding applications at the same time. This technology enables the processor to execute two threads (parts of a program) in parallel, boosting performance during key high-drain procedures. This results in more efficient software performance, such as faster reaction times in gaming applications, and enhanced multitasking.
  

• Memory: The VGX-XL1 comes with 512 MB of installed PC-4200 DDR RAM, with a very fast 533 MHz speed. This is a good start, but seems small in comparison to the capabilities of this machine. You'll want to max out the 2 GB capacity (which is a bit small for such a multimedia powerhouse) for your 3D gaming and video-editing needs.
  
• CD/DVD Drive: Offering the latest in DVD writing technology, the VGX-XL1's changer/recorder has a multi-format DVD/CD drive that's compatible with both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer DVD+R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. For DVD-RW discs, it has a 16x write/6x rewrite speed, while for DVD+RW discs it has a 16x write/8x rewrite speed. For dual-layer DVD+R, it has a 4x write speed. For CDs, it has a 40x write/24x rewrite speed. The PC portion of the VGX-XL1 also includes a CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive, which offers 24x write/rewrite speeds for CDs and 8x read speeds for DVDs.
  
• Keyboard, Mouse & Accessories: It comes with a wireless Vaio keyboard and remote control (but no mouse). It also comes with an IR blaster for controlling a cable or satellite TV box and a wireless antenna.

Video and Audio
This desktop comes installed with NVidia GeForce 6200 video/graphics card, which offers 64 MB of dedicated video RAM, which is a bit small for such a video and multimedia PC. The GeForce 6200 features Nvidia's TurboCache technology, which is designed to increase notebook performance without increasing the size or draining the battery. NVIDIA PureVideo technology delivers smooth HD video in all formats for superb picture clarity.

The integrated TV tuner features Sony's Giga Pocket MPEG2 Realtime Encoder Board with composite video/audio, S-Video, and RF coaxial (VHF/UHF) inputs. It offers a very good range of video connections, including HDMI, DVI-D (via HDMI to DVI-D adapter), and component video outputs and gold-plated composite and S-Video inputs on the front (for connecting to a digital video camcorder).

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
For expansion, the VGX-XL1 has three half-height 3.5-inch bays (one occupied), two PCI slots (one occupied), and one x16 PCI Express slot (occupied by graphics card). It also has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g networks (requires 802.11b or 802.11g compatible access point). It comes with the following external connectors:

• 4 USB 2.0 ports (2 front, 2 back) for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 3 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals (2 6-pin in rear, 1 4-pin in front)
• 1 microphone, 1 headphone
• 2 infrared transmitter out
• Multi-format memory card reader on the front, compatible with Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro/Duo, CompactFlash (Type I and II), MicroDrive, SmartMedia, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital, and XD Picture Card

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems. The changer/recorder offers two Firewire (i.Link) ports.

Preloaded System and Software
The pre-installed Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 (Update Rollup 2) is essentially Windows XP Professional Edition with a variety of tools to help you to create, organize, and enjoy digital media ranging from music to home movies to photo slide shows. The Update Rollup 2 upgrade offers support for the Windows Media Center Extender technology built into XBox 360 game consoles, which lets you access entertainment from your Media Center PC--whether it's live and recorded TV and movies, music, photos or Online Spotlight--on any TV in the house

It also comes loaded with a bevy of Sony multimedia software: Click to DVD (DVD creation), SonicStage (digital music), Vaio Media (network file sharing), DVgate Plus (digital video), and Image Converter (for PSP transfer). Other pre-loaded software includes Adobe Photoshop Album Starter Edition, Quicken 2005 New User Edition, Microsoft Works 8.0 (with word processing, spreadsheet, and calendar), Norton Internet Security (with 90-day subscription), Intervideo WinDVD, Roxio DigitalMedia SE, and SpySubtract.

Dimensions and Weight
Combined, the desktop PC and 200-disc changer/recorder measure 17 x 13.8 x 19.5 inches (WxHxD) and weigh approximately 86 pounds.

What's in the Box
This VGX-XL1 package contains the desktop PC and 200-disc changer recorder components, IR remote control (with batteries), IR blaster, wireless keyboard, HDMI cable, Firewire cable, S/PDIF optical cable, HDMI/DVD-D adapter, Mini-DVD disc adapter, wireless antenna, power cords, and printed operating instructions. It is backed by a 1-year limited hardware warranty.

---

Customer Reviews

I love mine!
I gave it four stars for a couple of its quirks, but I got mine for $1099 on Amazon (via Tigerdirect) about a year ago and I have solved many of its problems. Therefore, five stars makes more sense because there is nothing like this machine on the market for anywhere near the price. Unfortunately, Amazon will not allow me to change my initial star rating.

First and foremost, the Sony manual says CLEARLY that the computer will not play 1080i via component. It specifies that it only puts out HDTV content over HDMI. Any research at all would have answered that question.

I find it hard to believe that there is no way to convert HD content recorded on the machine to a DVHS recorder via firewire. I will test this when I have time. I already edit my HD files (my machine records into ".dvr-ms" format) to remove commercials and change them to mpeg format using Videoredo software.

What I like about the machine:

1. Batch burning CDs to lossless format. I saved hours of time burning my 1400 CDs to my hard drive. This was the main reason I wanted the machine and it performed like a champ (pulling over tag info and album art automatically!!!).

2. DVD changer integration. When you load movies into the changer, it goes out to the internet and pulls album art and movie descriptions. This is really cool for managing DVDs.

3. If you have your own ".vob" formated files on your hard drive, you can add your own cover art and the folder will show up with the DVDs in the changer ("My DVDs" section)in WMC.

4. Photos look great over the HDMI out on my big screen HDTV!

5. Your Yahoo music library content will show up with your own CDs in WMC. XM Radio (if you have a subscription) is available in the other content section.

6. It keeps track of playlist by most played, favorites, etc... and it is easy to create playlists on the fly.

7. Easy to record cable content over a direct connection to your cable line. It is also easy to add HDTV OTA recording with a VBox Catseye USB tuner.

8. The included wireless keyboard is great. I keep it on the coffee table and can surf the internet or pull up a movie in seconds! Keep some rechargeable batteries nearby and you will never have to worry.

9. The fact that they were ingenious enough to put an ir receiver in the unit. I have programmed my harmony remote to do all the functions of the WMC remote that came with the machine.

10. Very quiet and runs cool.

What I don't like:

1. Had to add USB soundcard to get DTS sound. I bought an inexpensive Turtle Beach Roadie that was up to the task.

2. Has issues coming out of hybernation. I now just leave mine on all the time. Mine also has issues with rebooting on occasion, but not enough to complain about.

3. Occasionally loses connection to the DVD changer. I usually just reinstall the DVD changer update and it fixes the problem. I have not had the problem in about 8 months, but it is frustrating when it does happen.

4. The changer is huge and it is also loud when changing discs. I bought a long firewire cord and keep my changer in a separate room.

As a side note, I had a major problem with my DVD changer the day after it was delivered. Sony sent the parts to my location and they had it fixed in less than a week's time (I called them on a Saturday and it was fixed on Thursday). The tech even came out after I got off from work and stayed until about 7PM fixing it.

A disaster
I was really excited about this product--an all in one home entertainment system--TV, computer, DVDs. Well, it had great promise. I connected it to a receiver and a flat screen. I had an entire custom cabinet made for it. But the 300 DVD changer has never worked right. I spent hours on the telephone with Sony. I returned the unit to Sony for service. It came back still not working. They sent a technician out to my home three times. It still does not work. Sony will not stand behind the product. They won't replace it. They want me to return it to Sony, again! So they can wipe the hard drive clean (again) and start from scratch. This is after I have paid hundreds of dollars to get my home network set up through a consultant. I will have to pay him again if they wipe the hard drive clean.

It has been a nightmare. Here's what really stinks--I can't watch or get to the 250 DVD I have loaded in Sony DVD changer. I highly recommend not buying this unit. The DVD changer does not integrate with the computer. There is something defective and Sony will not own up to it or help me correct it. Here's the kicker. The unit is less than a year old and I bought an extended warranty.

Thanks Sony! I have been a loyal customer of yours over the years buying thousands and thousands of dollars of equipment from you. But you have lost me for life. Buy Dell's or HP's digial living systems!

Other than design, reliability and support, it's a good product.
Note to would-be buyers:
1) All the inputs aren't simlutaneously usable. To record on a DVD-R from an s-video source, you have to fool the system in to thinking it's a cable signal and wipe out your digitsl TV settings. You then re-establish them by re-doing a full antenna scan when finished. (It's about a 20-step process.)
2) You can record HDV files in to the system (in to m2t video files), but the Media Center software won't recognize them in its My-Videos library. To play them, you have to exit the system and manually find them in Windows Explorer
3) True, it can record HD programs to hard drive from the digital antenna, but it plays them back in down-converted form. It will NOT transmit HD out of the Firewire connection if you're thinking of archiving to DVHS.
4) If you connect to an HDTV and set it up as such, it is not smart enough to up-covert a DVD through the componenet output. You have to use a utility to set the output to 480i, and then set it back again (the manual is no help on this).
5) It breaks down ALL THE TIME. Budget many hours in the break-fix cycle you could have spent doing better things
6) Here's the kicker: it's NOT 24-7 support. Support calls (and expect to make many of them) go to a special group that just works normal business hours (west coast time).
Needless to say, I'm not happy, and feel majorly misled.