Either someone at the BBC has an inside source – replete with trench coat, fake mustache, and comically inverted newspaper – or they've been reading Joystiq and assembling the clues to paint a not altogether surprising portrait of Sony's Leipzig Game Convention keynote. The Beeb says Sony are on the cusp of unveiling a tuner "that will allow the recording and playback of digital TV." Of course, this is similar to remarks made by Sony's Warwick Light who
said they're going "to release a digital tuner for the PS3, turning it into a programmable TV recorder."
The BBC also expects Sony to give more details about their PSP video download service developed with Sky in the UK, which we
learned about last month and to deliver more details on the PSP's VoIP and instant messaging system
being developed along with BT in the UK. Are these the
fireworks David Reeves promised? Well, they didn't know about
the DualShock 3 that's expected to unveiled today, so perhaps there are more fireworks in store.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
AJ @ Aug 22nd 2007 11:31AM
So, the PS3 no longer plays games right?
/sarc
Lightguy @ Aug 22nd 2007 11:41AM
Anyone who can afford to buy a PS3 more than likely has access to digital tv in the first place, rendering this useless.
borland502 @ Aug 22nd 2007 11:57AM
It depends what it permits you to do. The DNLA update allowed me to convert my PS3 into an AppleTV machine, in addition to its games and movie functions. This tuner may allow me to add TIVO functions as well.
Many snark on the "does it play games aspect" and they are right to a degree. If you just want to play games, the PS3 is a overpriced vs. the Wii. But, and forgive me for serving Sony kool-aid, as a media hub it continues to get better and better.
This assumes the tuner is an add-on. I have no desire to repurchase my PS3.
JL @ Aug 22nd 2007 12:09PM
Thank you Borland. I also use it as a media center. I am very interested in using this as a DVR. I wonder if it will be an HD capable tuner. Hopefully there will be a nice software interface that goes along with it, allowing you to schedule times for it to record and stop.
I'm almost positive it will be a hardware add on utilizing a USB port.
Cant wait, this machine is just getting going.
Jonah Falcon @ Aug 22nd 2007 11:42AM
Um, so you can use a PS3 to watch TV?
GRANTED @ Aug 22nd 2007 11:43AM
so-- hardware add-on? incorporated into newer ps3s? software update? i can't tell if i've just been told something, or if someone just smacked me in the face with a big SONY logo.
J-Guy @ Aug 22nd 2007 11:46AM
And to think we used to play consoles for gaming. Bah! The future is a home theater/TV programmer/Blu-Ray Player/Cassette Player/Wi-fi all in one system.
Thomas Henwood @ Aug 22nd 2007 11:51AM
I rather liked the TV tuner in my TV but being a massive Sony fanboy I will have to get this.
jp @ Aug 22nd 2007 12:06PM
aim chat sonycof07
invite urself if u want to talk with other gamers
Joe @ Aug 22nd 2007 12:23PM
Those who just want systems to play games are right to be outraged. How dare Sony try to add value to your gaming system with added functionality.
Marty @ Aug 22nd 2007 12:32PM
How are they adding value to consoles that are already purchased? You can't add physical ports to a console with a firmware upgrade... and to do digital TV recording, an even larger HDD wouldn't hurt, either.
No, people who want this "added value" have to either purchase an external piece of hardware, or buy a whole new PS3.
Marty @ Aug 22nd 2007 12:30PM
Fans of Sony fight through the mess of crummy games, lousy launch support, and lack of any real reason to support the console until better things come... and what does Sony do? Add on more hardware, either via an extra $50+ purchase or a complete hardware upgrade. Brilliant Sony, way to stick it to your fans with yet another knee-jerk response to the rest of the industry.
Vidikron @ Aug 22nd 2007 12:53PM
No matter how much you whine the release dates for games won't change. There's plenty of games lined-up for this fall... starting with Warhawk in less than a week. They're still coming with or without this tuner.
plyx @ Aug 22nd 2007 12:33PM
It already got announced:
http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=81876
WiNG @ Aug 22nd 2007 12:42PM
This is retarded. What does Sony know about making TV hardware? mods plz delete this article k thanks bai
BulletToothTony @ Aug 22nd 2007 12:57PM
already announced it, due early next year.. at least in europe
http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=81862
tcc3 @ Aug 22nd 2007 1:12PM
No longer?
Were there ever games to play for it?
=P
Rob Accomando @ Aug 22nd 2007 1:16PM
so I'll be able to watch TV through my PS3 and waste electricity? Sweet.
Jeff @ Aug 22nd 2007 1:19PM
Ok... so it looks like an add on. works for me as long as it is not way over priced.... Then I could move my media center computer to another room and just stream media between the two and even my psp... sound nice...
alijah @ Aug 22nd 2007 1:28PM
Further to the earlier posting, here’s a more in depth report on PlayTV, PlayStation 3’s new software that turns yours machine into the hub of your televisual experience. David Reeves, President of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, is quoted as saying “PS3 already provides High Definition gaming, Blu-ray Disc movies, music, video, photo album, web browsing and PLAYSTATION Network support. With the introduction of PlayTV’s state of the art TV tuner and PVR functionality, PS3 is now the best choice of home entertainment hub for the whole family.” Good news for all PlayStation 3 owners. Release is scheduled for early 2008.
For the official Sony press release read on.
PLAYTV UNLOCKS FREE DIGITAL TV ON PLAYSTATION 3
Watch, record and replay TV shows on demand
Turn PS3 into a digital personal video recorder and record programmes to watch anytime, anywhere
Leipzig, 22 August 2007. At Games Convention today, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe announced the introduction of PlayTV - the software that turns PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) into a Personal Video Recorder (PVR). PlayTV will be available in UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain early in 2008, with other PAL territories to follow in due course.
With the ability to watch, pause and record live TV from a huge range of free channels, PlayTV reinforces PS3’s rightful place in the Living Room at the heart of the family’s entertainment needs. Whether it is recording a programme whilst watching another, simply recording a entire series1 at the touch of a button or for watching programmes on the go via remote play on PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable), PlayTV offers a simple solution to it all.
“The introduction of PlayTV really will extend the already broad entertainment credentials of PS3, and makes it an exceptionally attractive proposition for the whole family,” said David Reeves, President of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. “PS3 already provides High Definition gaming, Blu-ray Disc movies, music, video, photo album, web browsing and PLAYSTATION Network support. With the introduction of PlayTV’s state of the art TV tuner and PVR functionality, PS3 is now the best choice of home entertainment hub for the whole family.”
PlayTV provides the sort of features you’ll only find on the most expensive PVRs:
* Two High Definition-ready TV tuners: both able to view, record and play TV in High Definition as well as standard definition.
* Electronic Programme Guide2: an incredibly user-friendly, seven-day interface, that provides the navigation for programming the PVR features of PlayTV – it’s fast and simple to use with either PS3’s SIXAXIS™ controller or the Blu-ray Remote Control.
* Compatibility: PlayTV operates on the widely available Digital Video Broadcasting – Terrestrial (DVB-T) format.
* Easy to use: Intuitive controls, single button help features, tutorial videos and simple navigation make PlayTV a joy to use compared with the complex navigation of other PVR models.
Optional on-screen graphical display provides a wealth of information about the status of PlayTV and provides quick access to programme information, stored TV programmes and the controls to pause or record live TV.
PlayTV will also set the correct interface for either Standard Definition or High Definition displays automatically for a hassle-free viewing experience.
* Portable viewing with PSP: Seamless PSP connectivity allows you to set recordings, watch Live TV and recorded TV programmes remotely on the PSP via a WiFi connection (using Remote Play feature) – or you can transfer video files to your PSP via USB cable.
* It’s future-proof: PlayTV will evolve with time – with new features added and updated via the PLAYSTATION®Network.
PLAYSTATION 3 was already more than a games console; now, it’s a TV tuner as well – PlayTV is one more reason why PS3 should be right at the centre of the living room.
1. Series recording currently only available in the UK.
2. Subject to availability, country dependent
MrKniceGuy @ Aug 22nd 2007 1:55PM
WOW! Now, if there was a game worth playing.. I'd pick one up! I'm sure it would be easy to record from DVD etc. with that and a linux app.
Sonic_Extreme @ Aug 23rd 2007 12:49AM
Do people realize that having a TV digital tuner really isn't that big. Go ask everyone who has new TV's with digital tuners and ask them do they even use it.? UMMM nope. They rent boxes from cable providers or dish network. Digital tuners means that you either have to run rabbit ears and or put HUGE rabbit ear on your house. RUn a coax line and get free of the air HD. Now for anyone who has HDTV and a Provider let me ask you how many of you do this to get HD stations. UMMM .005%. maybe.? No one does because everybody wants those Discovery in HD or ESPN in HD or all those extras cable or dish companies give you. In some cable providers you might get free HD from basic coax but only a few stations and most will be decrypted that only a box can decode. Also come on a 80gb hard drive and in most PS3 the 60gb hdd wont even be enough to store more than 1-2 HD movies + demos and game saves and cache game saves + music and other things. One HD movie in HD will be around 15gb each movie. I have a 160gb Motorola HD DVR and I can't even save 12 HD movies without having to start to delete some of the old ones I have. So a 60 GB PS3 is useless for HD. So is a 80gb. IF a Tivo HD 250gb hard drive can only do about 25 hours of HD you can imagine already a PS3 with 60gb or 80gb.