PS3 to be able to receive/record Digital TV

[Touring Mars]

Sony look set to announce a 'tuner' to allow the PS3 to be used for recording and playback of Digital TV, fresh from the Leipzig GDC...

Article...

 

[Flerbizky]

In that case, the 60Gb HDD is going to be VERY small VERY fast :-)

 

[V1P3R]

I posted this or a link like it in the PS3 thread. Or some where. Duck probably can vouch for me.

 

[Solid Lifters]

I posted this or a link like it in the PS3 thread. Or some where. Duck probably can vouch for me.

I can. Australian Sony officials already split the beans on this new feature about two weeks ago.

Glad my PS3 has a 250GB HDD.

 

[Robin]

Sounds like a neat feature, nice to see it doing so much else other than gaming because that isnt really its strong point at the moment.

 

[DuckRacer]

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=81876

Sony has taken the wraps off a new television tuner and personal video recorder for PS3 in its Games Convention 2007 press conference.

Dubbed PlayTV, it will let you watch and record your favourite shows on your console completely independently of each other - so you can view something while saving something else. If you like.



There they are, one big happy, telly-watching family.
You'll be able to choose programmes to keep on your hard drive by selecting them from a fancy seven-day guide, and even control it all remotely using your PSP - in case you forgot to tell it to record something before you left for work. Or you could just stream it to your PSP and watch it elsewhere.

It will use the Digital Video Broadcasting standard, and be able to intelligently display the picture in high or standard definition depending on the capabilities of your TV.

"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, big cheese of Sony Europe.

It's so easy your ageing parents could probably use it - or so we're told, and will be available in early 2008 across the UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain.

A price is yet to be mentioned.

 

[Robin]

Looks the business!, I like the little box, would be good to see it up close, brings Apple TV to mind!

 

[FoolKiller]

I would like to know the compression so I know exactly how much HD space this will take up.


Back when this was talked about in Australia DN and I pondered on how it will tune in, and there it is in Duck's picture, a tiny little black box. I would assume that will be USB.

 

[DuckRacer]

...And of course the PSP is integrated with this, so you can basically watch live TV or prerecorded videos on the go provided you're connected with your PS3.

Interface reminds me of Front Row.

 

[FoolKiller]

...And of course the PSP is integrated with this, so you can basically watch live TV or prerecorded videos on the go provided you're connected with your PS3.

Another reason for teachers to have to confiscate PSPs.

I wish this would be out before my vacation in February. I'd be able to catch all my shows whenevr I found free time to just chill on the beach. Sitting on the beach watching Lost sounds very fitting.

 

[DuckRacer]

Another reason for teachers to have to confiscate PSPs.

I wish this would be out before my vacation in February. I'd be able to catch all my shows whenevr I found free time to just chill on the beach. Sitting on the beach watching Lost sounds very fitting.

...Well, this is for Europe though. Is it feasible for Sony to bring this over to the US?

 

[FoolKiller]

Is it feasible for Sony to bring this over to the US?

Hmm, $5 a month for my cable company's HD DVR or one flat fee for this one?

Yes, this one.

Do people in the US use DVRs?

Yes.

Could you expect those that haven't gone HD with their DVR yet, but have a PS3 to consider this option?

Yes.

Would I buy this?

Yes.


I think the answer to your question would be, yes.


Of course, further details and pricing would be required to solidify that decision, but as I already use my PC as a DVR, and then have to convert it to either DVD or Mpeg to get it on my TV I can only assume I would rather put it straight to my TV with this.

Big question: Can I edit the commercials out like I do on my PC?

 

[Raitziger]

So is it DVB-T(ota), DVB-C(cable) or DVB-S(satellite) or all of them?

edit: And why would they launch it only in those countries when whole Europe uses DVB as far as i know.

 

[Solid Lifters]

I'd probably get it, despite I don't need it. I have three HD DVRs and I don't need a fourth. However, I have one that's 5 years old, with a 80GB HDD when that was the second biggest size available. I think 120GB was the biggest but they were over $200.

I'll probably give the $1,000 80GB DVR to my mom, but I doubt she'll know how to use it. I got her DirecTV several years ago, and after three months, she said she never watches it. She couldn't figure how to use the remote or program shows to record.

However, I'm not liking the extra unit that comes with it. I hate add ons.

 

[GT Pro]

Awesome. A good alternative rather than getting Foxtel I.Q.

 

[FoolKiller]

So is it DVB-T(ota), DVB-C(cable) or DVB-S(satellite) or all of them?

Well, I read the Eurogamer live blog and they said OTA, but I would imagine it could do analog cable as well, and definitely any HD that is OTA. The problem is that they are being vague.

I don't see how it could tune digital cable or a satellite feed because that has to be decrypted by your set top box, which is also the tuner. At least that's how it works in the US. So if you wanted to record digital cable or satellite you would have to leave it on the channel you want to record and then have the PS3 record what ever channel the set top box sends its signal to your TV on.

edit: And why would that lauch it only in those countries when whole Europe uses DVB as far as i know.

Test markets? If it does well then go to everyone.

 

[V1P3R]

Finally watched the Leipzig vid and wow. If they are able to bring the PVR to the US like they are in Europe I will... well I'm not sure but I will be flipping amazing!

So wait... let me get this straight. If you have the PVR on the PS3 and you have a PSP it will wirelessly transmit TV to the PSP?? Like sling box via the net or just wirelessly between the PS3 and PSP??

 

[FoolKiller]

So wait... let me get this straight. If you have the PVR on the PS3 and you have a PSP it will wirelessly transmit TV to the PSP?? Like sling box via the net or just wirelessly between the PS3 and PSP??

From what I gather it would be via the net, like remote play. It would seem kind of pointless to just have it available within local distances.

 

[V1P3R]

That will be awesome then and I'm ready whenever they are!

 

[Zrow]

I read this a while ago, and it made me sort of want to get a PS3.

The funny thing is, the games are the last thing I like about the PS3 - it's media capabilities are more convincing. I game on the 360, but I'd love to have a PS3 that I can use as a DVR, browser, Blu-ray player, this that and the other thing.

 

[FoolKiller]

I read this a while ago, and it made me sort of want to get a PS3.

The funny thing is, the games are the last thing I like about the PS3 - it's media capabilities are more convincing. I game on the 360, but I'd love to have a PS3 that I can use as a DVR, browser, Blu-ray player, this that and the other thing.

All of that is worth the price.

And the games are fun. I think given the same time frame the 360 has had the PS3 will have a nice library. I only have two games on disc so far and a decent number downloaded. I will probably be getting Warhawk this week and then Heavenly Sword or Lair later on, after I test them out as a rental.

 

[Formula1Driver]

I read this a while ago, and it made me sort of want to get a PS3.

The funny thing is, the games are the last thing I like about the PS3 - it's media capabilities are more convincing. I game on the 360, but I'd love to have a PS3 that I can use as a DVR, browser, Blu-ray player, this that and the other thing.

That is what lots of people are doing I think, the PS3 has such awesome capabilities when it comes to media. For the price of the PS3 it is well worth it and when they finally start using the PS3 and the Cell processor to their full capability you will start buying games etc...

 

[V1P3R]

I laughed and didn't believe them in the beginning when they said they wanted to make the PS3 a home entertainment center. Now, I believe them and they are doing a great job of it. I also thought the PS3 had a lot more depth and longevity because of this reason vs the 360 which quite honestly I don't see going far into the future at least if they don't keep good games coming because that's the only reason the 360 has been good for me right now. Well that and the looming fact mine might die literally.

 

[Formula1Driver]

I laughed and didn't believe them in the beginning when they said they wanted to make the PS3 a home entertainment center. Now, I believe them and they are doing a great job of it. I also thought the PS3 had a lot more depth and longevity because of this reason vs the 360 which quite honestly I don't see going far into the future at least if they don't keep good games coming because that's the only reason the 360 has been good for me right now. Well that and the looming fact mine might die literally.

Thats the way I felt, I knew right away when they released the PS3 I was going to get one and I never even considered getting an X360 because I have been a Playstation person for the longest time (Since N64). I believe that in the future PS3 is going to be way ahead of the X360 because of its capabilities, X360 will be more limited whereas PS3 can do much more.