Sony launches Blu-ray HTPC, $200 Blu-ray PC drive
updated 10:30 pm EST, Sun January 6, 2008
Sony Blu-ray TP and Drive
Sony has continued its succession of releases with its first major update to the VAIO TP as well as a new Blu-ray drive for computers. The updated TP home theater PC now includes a Blu-ray reader that can play HD movies at a full 1080p when attached to an HDMI-equipped HDTV or computer display; it also becomes the first home theater PC to switch to Intel's 45nm Core 2 Duo and runs a 2.1GHz processor instead of the old 1.83GHz chip. On a premium model, a dual-CableCARD tuner allows it to watch and record cable HD at the same time.
The TP is similarly better integrated into a home theater with support for HDMI's CEC spec that allows the PC to control TVs, receivers, and other devices automatically from the VAIO's remote. Both the basic and premium TPs ship with a dedicated graphics chip and a 500GB hard drive; they ship towards the end of January for $1,600 (in white) and $3,000 (in black).
Sony also touts what it says is the least expensive Blu-ray drive for desktop computers. Rather than try to offer full recording, the company's BDU-X10S is meant as a companion for an existing DVD burner. While it can only read Blu-ray, DVD, and CD, it pushes the cost down to $200, less than half the price of combo or full BD-R burners. It initially ships with Windows PCs in mind and comes with a Blu-ray version of PowerDVD. Shipments start this month for the Serial ATA drive, which needs HDMI or an HDCP-protected DVI connection for full 1080p playback of some copy-protected movies.
yuck
01/06, 10:44pm reply
A round PC. What a waste of desk space. Sony's industrial designers should be fired.
Titanium Man
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Wrong area, titanium
01/06, 11:16pm reply
It's not meant for your desktop -- it's meant to sit near your HDTV, where the shape may help complement the TV (though it's useless for a home theater stack unless it sits on top).
Commodus
Mac Elite
Joined: Feb 2002
Looks great to me.
01/06, 11:42pm reply
This would look very fine sitting on the shelf under my TV. Kudos to them for literally thinking outside of the box. And as it stands right now, Windows Media Center edition is a much better HTPC front-end solution than Front Row and its incredibly limited capabilities (Apple: that is a challenge). So compared to a MacMini, this is a far better setup for viewing PC content on your TV.
marcelebrate
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2008
re: yuck
01/07, 12:03am reply
The iMac G4 was round - did you think that was a waste. I think it looks quite sharp - unfortunately, it runs Windows.
hayesk
Professional Poster
Joined: Sep 1999
funny
01/07, 01:35am reply
Yeah, it's funny how something is terrible unless Apple does it, then it is awesome.
pt123
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2007
It's beautiful!
01/07, 01:35am reply
Kudos to Sony for making a PC design that doesn't suck. Now if Apple can make an AppleTV with a Blu-Ray drive and access to HD rentals, I'll be in line immediately!
mortie
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2008
Cool
01/07, 08:22am reply
I think it is pretty sharp, too. I really wish Apple would make a HTPC, also. Right now I have a Mac mini, Apple TV, and a separate DVR to do what 1 box should do.
mgpalma
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Joined: Sep 2000
lots of competition
01/07, 09:30am reply
this should be an interesting year; apple has got to take a pretty aggressive swing at the companies (sony, slingbox, etc.) that are coming out with content to the TV solutions and i'm really hoping to see something on the 14th...
legacyb4
Mac Elite
Joined: May 2001
comments
01/07, 09:34am reply
First off, I just wish those people at Electronista, if they're going to pretend to 'run' a web site, would actually fix the bug in the commenting section that causes it to post to other pages. It's really amateurish! I've got things to say that people need to diss, and they get posted to the wrong place!
A round PC. What a waste of desk space. Sony's industrial designers should be fired.
So a small square-like form factor like the mini ISN'T a waste of desk space (if either is meant for the desk)? Should we fire Avie?
(though it's useless for a home theater stack unless it sits on top).
The AppleTV/mini have the same issue, esp. since, at least with the mini, you're told NOT to put anything on top of it.
I really wish Apple would make a HTPC, also. Right now I have a Mac mini, Apple TV, and a separate DVR to do what 1 box should do.
Just curious, but what does the AppleTV do for you that the mini can't, and at least have just two boxes?
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
testudo
01/07, 11:37am reply
Avie Tevanian was a software engineer and he's already "fired". Jonathan Ive is Apple's industrial design. Drink more coffee!!!
JackWebb
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Joined: Aug 2007