Floppyhead – Digital Media and Streaming

A couple of weeks ago I went in search of the VAIO Digital Living System VGX-XL3 at the Sony Style store at Tyson’s Corner in Virginia. I wanted to to see if they were selling Sony’s CableCard offering. It took me a while but I found it stuck in a corner, dwarfed by a 70 inch Bravia HDTV that was the focal point of the store.

It was clear to me that Sony has no idea how to sell the system. First of all, it was not hooked up to a TV. There was no way to see the media center interface. Second, it had no mention of CableCards, which is essentially the whole point of the of the computer. On top of all that, the price at the Sony store was almost $600 dollars more than found at Amazon.

I asked a Sony employee if they had sold any of the VGX-XL3 and he kind of looked at me funny. He had no idea what it was and why it was interesting. That’s too bad. It definitely looks attractive. I just wish it had a second digital cable tuner.

I guess I should not be surprised with Sony’s lack of marketing for the VGX-XL3. Microsoft has not been marketing CableCard support either.