eShop USA > PC Hardware > Sony VAIO VGX-XL3 Digital Living System (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6400, 2 GB RAM, 500 GB Hard Drive, Blue-Ray HD RW Drive, Vista Premium)
Sony VAIO VGX-XL3 Digital Living System (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6400, 2 GB RAM, 500 GB Hard Drive, Blue-Ray HD RW Drive, Vista Premium)
Binding: Personal Computers
Brand: Sony
CPU Manufacturer: Intel
CPU Speed: 2.13 GHz
CPU Type: Intel Core Duo
EAN: 0027242712317
Hard Disk Size: 500 GB
Item Dimensions: 508169323151575
Label: Sony
Manufacturer: Sony
Model: VGX-XL3
MPN: VGXXL3
Processor Count: 1
Publisher: Sony
Studio: Sony
System Memory Size: 2000 MB
System Memory Type: DDR2 SDRAM
Features:- Multimedia desktop PC with high-definition video output from cable TV and the Blu-ray Disc player/recorder
- 2.13 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 processor, 2 GB RAM, dual 250 GB hard drives (for 500 GB total)
- Integrated NTSC (standard) and ATSC (digital) TV tuners, HDMI audio/video output
- Tri-mode Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g), 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet, Nvidia GeForce 7600 GTL graphics card
- Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium (with Media Center capabilities)
Accessories:
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Editorial Review:
Bridge the gap between your computing and entertainment worlds with the Sony VAIO VGX-XL3 Digital Living System, which provides a powerful computing platform as well as high-definition video output from cable TV and the Blu-ray Disc player/recorder. About the size of a traditional stereo receiver, this rack-style multimedia PC has a sleek brushed aluminum and smoked acrylic front that blends neatly and quietly into living room entertainment centers and home theaters. And its optimized cooling function provides near-silent operation.
The VGX-XL3 is digital cable ready, and it features an OCUR receiver, which is a digital cable receiver and interface that accepts a TV CableCARD. This 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. You can also use the integrated NTSC (standard) and ATSC (digital) TV tuners in conjunction with Windows Vista Home Premium's Media Center capabilities to record programming (even in HDTV) directly to the VGX-TP1's hard drive. Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.
The Blu-ray Disc drive supports full 1080p HD video playback as well as up to 5.1 discrete channels of uncompressed digital audio. The Blu-ray system is backwards-compatible with standard DVDs and CDs, enabling you to enjoy your digital library for years to come. It will also write to a wide variety of disc formats, including dual-layer DVD+/-R discs. For optimized video output to your LCD or plasma HDTV, it provides an HDMI connection that can transmit uncompressed 1080p video and 5.1-channel surround sound via a single cable. Other hardware features include a 2.13 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 processor, 2 GB of installed RAM (3 GB maximum), Nvidia GeForce 7600 GTL graphics card (with up to 527 MB of allocated video RAM), tri-mode Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g), and a wireless Vaio keyboard.
The Basics
- Processor: The Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 processor has a 2.13 GHz processor speed, amazing 1066 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and a large 2 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)
The Intel Core 2 Duo processor has two computational execution cores in a single processor, providing greater system response when running multi-threaded applications simultaneously with no significant increase in power consumption. It's optimized for multitasking and is ready to support the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. It can simultaneously run multiple demanding applications--such as graphics-intensive games or serious number-crunching business productivity applications--while downloading music or running virus-scanning security programs in the background. Some of the advanced Intel innovations of the Core 2 Duo processor include: - Smart Memory Access: Improves system performance by hiding memory latency, thus optimizing the use of available computer data bandwidth to provide data to the processor when and where it is needed.
- Advanced Digital Media Boost: Effectively doubles the execution speed for instructions used widely in multimedia and graphics applications.
- Dynamic Power Coordination: Coordinates Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology and idle power-management state (C-states) transitions independently per core to help save power.
- Deeper Sleep with Dynamic Cache Sizing: Saves power by flushing cache data to system memory during periods of inactivity to lower CPU voltage.
- Hard Drive: The dual 250 GB Serial ATA (SATA) hard drives (7200 RPM) provide an astounding 500 GB storage capacity--enough for storing up to 305 hours of television programming, a vast multimedia collection, or for editing digital video. These SATA hard drives also quicken the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.
- Memory: This unit comes with 2 GB of built-in memory (PC5300, DDR2 SDRAM, 2 x 1 GB), which offers a top-of-class 667 MHz speed. It can be upgraded to a maximum of 3 GB of memory.
- DVD/CD Drive: This VGX-XL3 is capable of playing back Blu-ray Disc movies in stunning clarity, as well as playing your current library of purchased and burned disc content. It's also capable of burning HD Camcorder content in its original 1080 high-definition resolution can store a massive amount of data on a single disc (25 GB single layer disc to 50 GB on a double layer disc). This desktop also comes with a secondary standard DVD-ROM drive. The BD drive offers 1x speed for reading and writing BD-R/RE discs and 1.6x BD-ROM read speed. It also offers the following write speeds: 2.4x DVD+R DL, 2x DVD-R DL, 8x for single-layer DVD+R and DVD-R, 4x for single-layer DVD+RW and DVD-RW, 8x for both CD-R/RW, and 5x for DVD-RAM.
- Keyboard & Mouse: It comes with a wireless Vaio keyboard and remote control (but no mouse).
Video & Audio
Video is powered by the Nvidia GeForce 7600 GTL graphics card, which provides up to 527 MB of video RAM (as allocated by Windows Vista). It features NVidia's PureVideo technology--which provides great picture clarity, smooth video, accurate color, and precise image scaling for video content. It also offers full support for Microsoft DirectX 9.0 Shader Model 3.0 and true high dynamic-range (HDR) lighting. And it's ready for the next step in graphics processing--SLI technology (Scalable Link Interface)--which delivers twice the performance of a single GPU configuration by allowing two graphics cards to run in parallel.
The audio card includes Sony Sound Reality technology with DSD (Direct Stream Digital) support. It also includes a high-definition digital cable tuner with NTSC (standard) and ATSC (HD) support.
Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
This desktop features an integrated wireless LAN that's compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in home routers and Wi-Fi hotspots) as well as 802.11a networks (which has a higher throughput, but more limited range--great for closed environments such as a small office or your home). For wired networking, it provides an ultra-fast 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet port. It offers the following multimedia and I/O ports: - 4 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players (2 front, 2 rear)
- 3 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals (one 4-pin connector in front, two 6-pin connectors in the rear)
- 1 HDMI output (for connecting to a compatible HDTV or home theater receiver for uncompressed digital audio and video via a single cable)
- 1 composite audio/video input (RCA jacks)
- 1 RF input
- 1 component video output
- 1 S-Video input (front)
- 1 VGA monitor out
- 1 headphone jack, 1 microphone jack
- S/PDIF digital audio out--1 out and 1 in
- Coaxial digital audio output
- Memory Stick slot (supports optional Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, and Memory Stick DUO media)
For expansion, the VGX-XL3 has two 3.5-inch bays (occupied), two PCI slots (one occupied), and one x16 PCI Express slot (occupied by graphics card).
Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.
Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.
Preloaded Software
Includes Sony Click to DVD (for easy DVD creation), Adobe Premiere Elements, InterVideo WinDVD BD, Ulead BD DiscRecorder, Microsoft Works, Microsoft Office 2007 Student and Teacher Edition (60-day trial), Symantec Norton Internet Security 2007 (with 60 days of Live Update).
Dimensions & Weight
This desktop measures 16.93 x 5.08 x 15.75 inches (WxHxD) and weighs 23.15 pounds.
Power
The VGX-XL3 has a power consumption rating of 297 watts (maximum).
What's in the Box
This package contains the VGX-XL3 Digital Living System PC, remote control (with batteries), wireless keyboard, HDMI cable, HDMI-DVI adapter, S/PDIF optical cable, wireless antenna, 8cm disc adapter, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty, and Sony offers 1-year of toll-free telephone technical assistance.
Imagine browsing the Internet and streaming videos directly to your large widescreen HDTV. Sony VAIO(R) VGX-XL3 Digital Living System is a PC that is geared for your living room, specifically to complement your HDTV and home-theater system. Instead of a tower chassis, the VGX-XL3 resembles a receiver for convenient integration with your sound system. Designed to integrate with your living room entertainment system, the VAIO(R) XL3 is a full HD 1080 Media Center PC with Blu-ray Disc technology and DVR functionality. Watch Blu-ray Disc movies in stunning high definition (HD) clarity and record content to a single 25GB or 50GB Blu-ray Disc (MP2 format only). Supporting CableCARD technology, the VAIO(R) XL3 also lets you watch and record live TV, including high definition and premium channels. And, it's easy to use with a wireless keyboard and remote control, HDMI for single-cable connectivity and Windows Vista Home Premium with Media Center functionality for easy management of your pictures, music and videos. So here's a desktop quality PC that no longer requires a desktop. Place it in your living room and enjoy vast new power and opportunities for entertainment and lifestyle enhancement. Graphics Processor - NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GTL graphics processing unit (GPU); Video RAM - 527MB (max.) Total Available Graphics Memory 1 Available PCI slot Inputs and Outputs -Composite Audio/Video Input(s) - 1; Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) Output(s) - 1; Ethernet Port - 1; HDMI Connection Output(s) - 1; Headphone Jack - 1; Memory Stick(R) Media Slot - 1 (Supports Memory Stick(R) PRO and Memory Stick(R) Duo media); Microphone Input - 1; RF Connection Input(s) - 1; S-Video Input(s) - 1 (Front); USB Port(s) - 4 (2 Front/2 Rear); Composite Audio Output(s) - 1 (Right/Left); Composite Audio Input(s) - 1 (Right/Left); iLink 3 Remote Control included Unit Size - 16.93 W x 5.08 H x 15.75 D; Unit weighs 23.15 lbs Preinst
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Big Dissappointment
This unit has been difficult from the start. Setting up Media Center with our Comcast Cable box was not without difficulties. Once up, the system worked moderately well as a computer, but totally unacceptible as a media center. Television viewed through the Media Center software was blurry and poor quality--both standard resolution and high-def.
The Blu-ray disc did not play blu-ray and high def DVDs with the clarity we would desire, if those discs were recognized at all. Plus, the ... Read More
Rating:  - A great start but room for improvement
I originally had the XL2 Digital Living System. I'd been waiting for the XL3 to come out for a while. The XL2 was great, but the lack of cable card compatability was a sore point for me, so when the XL3 showed up, I had to get it. It's kind of expensive, but unlike the other Media Center PCs out there that are in the same price range, it was the only one that I could put in my stereo rack. In my review here I'll explain my experience with this unit and I'll compare it to the XL2 when it merrits ... Read More
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