Sony shows off digital TV tuner for PSP ... Lite ... in Japan

by Christopher Grant { Jul 17th 2007 at 4:45PM }

Despite a strong showing at E3, Sony unleashed an additional volley of announcements at today's PlayStation Premier event in Tokyo, which IGN has been covering. In addition to a handful of games, Sony also announced a 1seg TV Tuner that attaches to the PSP's USB port. Since it's 1seg – a mobile terrestrial digital audio/video and data broadcasting service in Japan – we can't expect to see it over here, but we can always hope for a technologically inferior Western counterpart.

As if that wasn't limiting enough, the 1seg Tuner will only be compatible with the new PSP Lite redesign. So, when Japanese gamers pick up a Tuner on September 20th for ¥6980 (about $57), they'll also need to grab the new PSP conveniently released on the same day for ¥19,800 ($162). Then they can watch cat videos all day long , we guess ...

[Via Engadget]

Tags: 1seg, Sony, television

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Anam @ Jul 17th 2007 4:50PM

Does this mean we can call the old one PSP Phat?

pmasterfunk @ Jul 17th 2007 4:52PM

looks amazing.. and my first first comment

Christopher Grant @ Jul 17th 2007 5:00PM

congrats!

Fernando Rocker @ Jul 17th 2007 5:05PM

Welcome... just be careful, pick your side with wisdom...

Be careful with Curmeo, Godisamyth and other popular trolls.

Anam @ Jul 17th 2007 5:13PM

Yeah, and if you see a guy with a Boo avatar named Jack of No Trades, just look at him and he'll cover his eyes and stop.

Myrpok @ Jul 17th 2007 5:15PM

welcome. try not to pick a side at all. play games and report to us what you think from first hand experience. play nice!

Jonathan Tran @ Jul 17th 2007 5:00PM

zomg Sony stole this idea from Sega, Game Gear had this like 15 years ago.

of course, it was also the coolest friggin thing ever, so, props to Sony.

Mr Khan @ Jul 17th 2007 5:31PM

You stole my idea. The PSP becomes even more so the spiritual successor to the Game Gear (more power, opposed to Nintendo, "extreme" attitude, etc etc)

WiNG @ Jul 17th 2007 5:06PM

niiice. now lets add some HDMi

Borat @ Jul 17th 2007 5:18PM

It shouldn't be that hard to create an American-based analog tuner for the PSP. You don't need the HD channels anyway.

colin @ Jul 17th 2007 11:23PM

actually the hd channels take up significantly less bandwidth, therefore it would be much better to have a digital antenna, than analogue. not to mention the crystal clear reception and extended range.

Rob Accomando @ Jul 17th 2007 5:23PM

I can get a portable color TV for less

360girl21 @ Jul 17th 2007 5:28PM

For less than 57 bucks?

Anam @ Jul 17th 2007 5:30PM

What is a 360 girl doing defending the Super PSPTV-2000 Lite?

rockeranimefreak @ Jul 17th 2007 5:30PM

i want one will this work with free american digital hd channels? :)

Rob Accomando @ Jul 17th 2007 6:05PM

360girl21: http://shopping.msn.com/Prices/shp/?itemId=746259778

kennethrios @ Jul 17th 2007 6:12PM

I’m impressed with the PSP. It is actually starting to look like a better buy all of the time, I mean, who would not want to watch the Simpson family on the go? Yet...

BPM @ Jul 17th 2007 6:23PM

Except, well, you're not going to be watching Simpsons on the go with PSP. This is a 1seg tuner, which only Japan uses.

A while back, Nintendo released a 1seg tuner for DS(Lite), but have yet to reveal an American equivalent. I doubt Sony would attempt to release a UHF tuner for America, either.
Would be cool, yes, but just unlikely.