Leipzig (Germany) - Following an preliminary announcement earlier this year, Sony has officially unveiled PlayTV, a new service that transforms the PS3 into a digital video recorder.

PlayTV incorporates a dual digital tuner to the PS3 to receive two cable or satellite feeds.  It includes an on-screen program guide, high definition capability, and basic DVR controls like the ability to control live TV.

Earlier this year, Sony's New Zealand division gave away the first details of the service. The tuner receives content in Europe via the DVB-T broadcasting format. Other areas of the world will operate on Freeview, a digital TV standard based in New Zealand.



One of the more pivotal aspects of the new feature is its ability to connect with the PSP.  With the console's Remote Play functionality, users will be able to watch recorded programming from the PS3 on their PSP via an Internet connection.

The new service is initially only available in the UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain.  The technology is currently suited for consoles with PAL encoding, which means the US, based on the NTSC standard, is not in the release plans at this point.

If ever...

Aug 23, 2007 11:37     

If this ever makes it to the US and Sony doesn't dump DRM all over it, I would actually go buy a PS3. 360 is supposed to be planned as a set-top box for IPTV, maybe they'll compete.
anonymous report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

nice but...

Aug 23, 2007 12:26     

still PAL/NTSC? no ATSC? ... "Game Consoles" are no longer just a box that plays games, losing it's original meaning .... They are definitely turning into an entertainment centre now. IMO, I would be more interested in these if they are built-in to an HDTV than a game console. But I guess they are desperate in boosting sales.
eeto report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

i would go to Europe

Aug 23, 2007 12:58     

and buy that thing.
anonymouse report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

ATSC

Aug 23, 2007 14:39     

It's a digital tuner, ie ATSC.
anonymous report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Thats great

Aug 23, 2007 14:44     

But where's the game? Is it too much to ask for a game worth playing on the PS3? I know they keep promising games this fall, but I want to play games now. Oh well, we'll see how much of that actually comes to the US. My guess, probably none.
Voodoo report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

awsome but ...

Aug 23, 2007 14:46     

if this ever makes it to the states I would actually buy a PS3. this is one of the reasons I dislike Sony, when ever new stuff comes out the US gets the shaft. oh well, at least I have BIOSHOCK (amazing game btw), Halo 3, Mass Effect to keep me busy
09 F9 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

QAM support?

Aug 23, 2007 15:31     

The cable inputs must support QAM for any type of digital signal via cable providers if its just ATST then it will be just local digital stations via antenna. the dvb-t sounds promissing if you are a satellite user.
Pleo report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

How about some games instead

Aug 23, 2007 18:45     

how about some games instead.....that might be nice
stephen report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

media center / games

Aug 23, 2007 22:08     

i can't disagree with the people asking for some decent games to play. i only own 3 games after all. but i only have 5gigs (free up hd space on pc!) left on the 60gig hd from music and movies and anime; so to say my ps3 doesn't serve me well wouldn't be fair. i wish we would get this in the states. i might even buy a psp if it did.
ed report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

thats a first

Aug 23, 2007 23:18     

only available on Pal systems. and US is not in their release plans. Do they realise that US is their biggest market. Sony goofs up yet again.
Magarmuch report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Sweet

Aug 24, 2007 00:13     

I don't know about you. But it seems like they hitting all the sweet spots this time. Provided that the DVR is HD capable and priced to be very competitive. I may just buy a PS3. I currently use a SONY HD DVR and it has been solid for me. Besides, there are some really good PS2 RPG games out there I can play on PS3. The state of PS3 games are just sad. How about some good RPG's? Why do you think the PS2 was so popular?!!

Jerry report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

worth it now...

Aug 24, 2007 04:00     

Well I've only got a few games too (i have 2 ps3 & 3 ps2 games), but it seems worth it now that i can 1)play ps1/2/3 games (mg3 will be worth it) 2)play blu-ray disks 3)watch/record HD
wongsta report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Sony ... once again

Aug 24, 2007 07:46     

*Begin sarcarm mode* Sony, after utterly decimating its rival consoles the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii in sales, online and games released, has finally given us what all gamers want -- a TV Tuner addon **End sarcasm mode** Sony, get some GAMES for your GAMES SYSTEM ... then perhaps someone will BUY the game system you made!!!
Torgo report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

In all fairness

Aug 24, 2007 08:25     

The reason it'll never come to the US is because content providers would have a shit fit and sue Sony for helping to aid in piracy. I'm sure they'd love to bring it over here. Anything to help their abysmal sales. But its the networks who will stop it. Not Sony.
David report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Sounds like Windows Media Center extender

Aug 24, 2007 09:04     

..but with a tiny hard drive. Since you'll need the upgrade for the dual tuner maybe it'll include a decent HDD. -Now that the new PS3s won't allow modders to upgrade the hard drive. Plus the PS3 will have to say on 24/7 or be able to wake itself up for a scheduled recording. Plus I wonder if you can have extenders on other TVs all connected to one PS3. I'm pretty happy with my Windows media server and Xboxes with Media Center clients.

Shaun report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

80GB DVR...? LMAO

Aug 24, 2007 11:32     

Wow a dual tuner 80GB DVR, that should take at least a week to fill up. With product announcements like this you wonder why Sony is a distant third place in current generation console sales.
HTPC Guy report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

come out POS3 fanboys

Aug 25, 2007 03:35     

I saw you guys ranting and raving how XBOX gives out all these addons instead of bundling them into the system. Care to comment on this one?
TomWaddle report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Sounds awesome except

Sep 04, 2007 23:06     

Spain gets it before us...wtf its easy to hate sony some times
Josh report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

A kick ass all in one!

Nov 22, 2007 18:07     

The PS3= a DVR (soon), one of the best upconvert players, one of the best Blu-Ray players, a computer (ubuntu) and not to mention a ps3. To HTPC guy, do some research before you bash the PS3, there are instructions to replace the hd with a larger one. Try doing that with the 360.
bunke report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Where is this now?...

Jun 17, 2008 12:03     

Where is this now?
Namame report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1