New Sony Media Center

[ParkerAudio]

Anyone know much about these kind of products, such as the Sony VAIO VGX-TP20E/B TP Living Room PC with Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 Processor, 2 GB RAM, 500 GB Hard Drive, Blu Ray Drive, Vista Premium, or the new offering from Alienware? It seeems like it might be a wiser purchase over a $1000, or $2000 Bluray player, such as what Denon has to offer.
I am also curious about the picture quality of services such as Hulu.com, Netflix, and Youtube. What kind of picture can I expect on a 50 inch LCD or 62 inch DLP?

 

[ParkerAudio]

I am a little surprised with how many early adopters we have here, that no one has an opinion on this type of unit. Especially when it includes a Bluray player, has a HDMI hookup, wireless capability, tons of storage, and the ability to watch HD, and record/play internet based materials, and really a lot to offer for $1600.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013IO216/ref=pd_cp_e_1?pf_rd_p=250314501&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000NX0DVU&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1YQVD4NATZ2814AHF1YB

 

[Hi Ho]

This was talked about on the AVrant podcast. The main problem with it is that it does not appear to support any of the high resolution audio formats found on Blu-Ray discs. That's a deal killer for me right there. Even if it does support high resolution audio (it is unclear) a wiser purchase, in my opinion, would be the PS3.

As for video quality from online streaming services; they aren't great. They don't come close to HD quality and they barely hold up to SD TV broadcasts. The audio from those services also leaves a whole lot to be desired.

 

[ParkerAudio]

Well that surprises me, I guess I was just assuming since it has built in wireless, HDMI, built in bluray, huge hard drive that it would support the newest audio codecs. Especially since Sony is doing so much to update the PS3, a far cheaper Bluray player. Although, I understand that this is more computer than Bluray player, however, it looks to have potential.

Thanks for the info, I am not willing to lose the audio codecs. Information on the Sony site and at the stores selling the Media centers is sparse.

 

[stratman]

I've read pretty nasty stuff about Alienware, reliability issues and customer service headaches, it was bought by Dell:

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/computers/alienware.html

That's only from there, but if you read long enough you see a pattern, and those machines aren't exactly a bargain either.

 

[ParkerAudio]

Yeah, the Alienware model is a lot of money for what you get. No Bluray player, plus you are paying for a receiver, that I don't really need.