Floppyhead – Digital Media and Streaming

Sony announced the replacement to the VGX-XL3 media center pc, which is the dual CableCard TP25. The VGX-Xl3 was a sleek machine that looked like a high-end A/V component. It’s main flaws were the lack of an adequate video card and having only one digital cable tuner, instead of the expected two.

The TP25, based off of the VGX-TP1, has added that extra digital cable tuner but has lost the sleek form factor. It would look out of place in any home theater set-up. The awkward design is made worse by the fact that the the digital cable tuners are external units. I have no idea why you would design a minimalist computer and then pair it with external tuners. Makes no sense.

I can’t see the TP25 as being successful, especially at a price point of $3,000. The Dell XPS 420 trumps it on price and quite frankly, I would rather have a black Dell box than a TP-25 sitting in my living room.