Product Description

DVD/CD changer/recorder with storage for up to 200 discsConnect with compatible PC to download metacontent for easy management of your libraryAutomatically and sequentially record up to 200 audio CDs; record TV episodes to the hard drive and transfer them to blank DVDs stored in the changerDual-layer DVD burner with 8x write speed for single-layer DVD-/+R discsCompatible with PCs running Windows XP MCE 2005 Windows Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1624 in Personal Computers
• Brand: Sony
• Model: VGP-XL1B3
• Dimensions: 9.32" h x 19.51" w x 17.00" l, 31.40 pounds

Features

• DVD/CD changer/recorder with storage for up to 200 discs
• Connect with compatible PC to download metacontent for easy management of your library
• Automatically and sequentially record up to 200 audio CDs; record TV episodes to the hard drive and transfer them to blank DVDs stored in the changer
• Dual-layer DVD burner with 8x write speed for single-layer DVD-/+R discs
• Compatible with PCs running Windows XP MCE 2005, Windows Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate

Amazon.com Product Description
The Sony VAIO VGP-XL1B3 CD/DVD changer and recorder connects to your compatible PC (running Windows XP MCE 2005, or Windows Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate) and offers space to store 200 discs at one time. It also offers automatic sequential DVD-burning, making it easy to archive your favorite TV shows so you can enjoy them at your convenience (requires PC with TV tuner). Load it up with your entire CD and DVD collection, and easily manage your library while minimizing clutter in your entertainment area. It works in tandem with the Sony VAIO VGX-XL3 Digital Living System, and it features the same brushed aluminum and smoked acrylic styling.

Discs inserted into the XL1B3 Changer/Recorder are automatically detected by your PC, which downloads metadata for each disc, so you can view the contents of your entertainment library with cover art, artist information, and track listings without ever having to open a jewel case or remove the discs from their secure storage location. The optimized Windows XP MCE 2005, or Windows Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate interface makes content management a breeze. By accessing downloadable metadata , you can categorize, sort, organize by genre or artist, while saving the time and energy required by manual input and management.

Load the XL1B3 with up to 200 audio CDs to automatically and sequentially copy your CD collection to your PC's hard drive. Even with hundreds of CDs in your collection, the XL1B3 provides you with the power and to backup your music collection with ease.

The dual-layer DVD drive is compatible with a wide range of formats, including both DVD+RW and DVD-RW discs, CD-RW discs, and dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can hold up to 8.5 GB of data--great for backing up your MP3 collection or your most important documents. It features the following speeds: 4x for DVD+R DL, 16x for both single layer DVD+R/-R, 8x for single layer DVD+RW, 6x for single layer DVD-RW, and 40x/24x for CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x and CD-ROMs at 24x.

Customer Reviews

Awesome Concept, Just a Little Rough Around the Edges..
I purchased the VGP-XL1B3 about a month ago. Got it home and started loading DVD's into it. Started having problems with the carousel right away. It would not line up with the opening correctly all the time, and when you loaded a disc, it would jam halfway in. I would pull it out with tweezers, turn it off and on, and it seemed to be OK. Then About 2 weeks later and 150 DVD's into it, the DVD player wouldn't play the disc loaded into it. I then couldn't eject ANY of the 150 DVD's already in it or play them. So, resorted to cracking the unit open and removing them manually (it opens like a pc case).Amazon graciously swapped out with a new one, which has had none of the above problems. To give Sony credit, I seriously think UPS dropped the box, the way it showed up on my doorstep all beat up. Now I have been using MCE 2005 which automatically downloads cover art and descriptions, allows you to browse by genre, etc. I love not having to worry about the kids losing DVD's, or where to store them all. I also downloaded "MY MOVIES" freeware, which adds more functionality to MCE. I have a universal remote which I downloaded MCE remote IR data, and now don't even have to get off the couch to browse or watch up to 200 movies! Life is great!

some hiccups but works well
Initially I had problems with this but it turns out it was a broken product, Sony replaced it and now it works seamlessly with my Media Center PC. It keeps my DVDs organized and dust free, which was all I was looking for when I bought it. I actually bought a second and daisy chain them together to increase capacity.

buggy, but very nice for HTPC users
I've been using an HTPC in some form with Media Center from Microsoft for over 5 years now. My main movie storage was a group of high capacity hard drives and ripping movies to either xvid or MKV formats. I loose alot of added sound tracks and special features, which I enjoy.

After loosing more than a few hard drives from use and age, I decided to look into a changer. This changer, although buggy, solves my problem. In windows Vista, the dvd library feature is lacking alot of added titles and data, plus if you have episodic dvds like south park or Gundam Wing, the library names every dvd the same; making searching for one episode a hassle.

A MCE plug-in called My Movies works with this changer to remove all the sony and microsoft bugs...for the most part. After a few days of experimenting, this changer works great with my HTPC. I actually just ordered a second one because I ran out of space in the first one.

I've only used it for movies and not music cds, so I cannot comment on its use as a jukebox accessory.

Its a welcomed, albeit monstrously huge edition to my A/V collection. It does make a loud noise when changing discs, but in the closet, it's not noticible any more.

If you have a large collection of movies and are tired of the task of ripping your movies to a hard drive and with the constant worry of loosing drives...this is 200 bux well spent..

Only flaw is the software. Its sub-par at best, but third-party software does mend most of this units flaws...

As for the XL1B1-XL1B3 numbering... its the same unit, just repackaged by sony. Flawed..but a very decent alternative..plus you got bragging rights