PlayTV: View, Record & Rewind TV

[wraggster]

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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.

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[cory1492]

NA just sucks for this kind of stuff... "it's too expensive for hd broadcasting" when in fact the networks just like raking in cash from cable providers and other companies enjoy selling their digital boxes to cable/sat customers.

Just something that isn't mention in the above... playTV is additional hardware as well as software, right?

[F9zDark]

Thanks for nothing Sony. From your US PS3 owners.

Really, when are we gonna get cool features like this? You claim you want a one SKU strategy well act like. Give everyone in your global fanbase the same options or don't give them at all.

[Accordion]

Thanks for nothing Sony. From your US PS3 owners.

Really, when are we gonna get cool features like this? You claim you want a one SKU strategy well act like. Give everyone in your global fanbase the same options or don't give them at all.

this matter is completely out of anyones control.
why are you so mad?

you cant support something which doesnt exist in that region.

also the uk does not receive any HD broadcast over Freeview, due to limited airspace[?] which means it will be SD feed through a HD tv. My samsung tv is perfect for full HD, but getting a good SD picture took work [and help from avforums]. the picture settings are very different for each input. unless there is some software upscaling, picture adjustment or magic i think the image quality will be less than desirable without constant tweaking.

however, dependent on price, this could be a very good method of transferring tv to the psp.

[acn010]

too bad theres no such feature in the us...im pissed.. so many good fetures but not for the us ..... sony sucks big balls, really

[F9zDark]

this matter is completely out of anyones control.
why are you so mad?

you cant support something which doesnt exist in that region.

also the uk does not receive any HD broadcast over Freeview, due to limited airspace[?] which means it will be SD feed through a HD tv. My samsung tv is perfect for full HD, but getting a good SD picture took work [and help from avforums]. the picture settings are very different for each input. unless there is some software upscaling, picture adjustment or magic i think the image quality will be less than desirable without constant tweaking.

however, dependent on price, this could be a very good method of transferring tv to the psp.

They can control it. Almost all digital tv boxes in the US have the ability to plug a DVR into it. The TV companies rather you pay for their DVR boxes but they cannot force it on you.

Sony can easily bring this to the US without any problems whatsoever.

[mavsman4457]

Could we import it and have it work or would that be a no go? If we can import it then screw Sony, I'm importing and getting a nice new DVR.

[Accordion]

They can control it. Almost all digital tv boxes in the US have the ability to plug a DVR into it. The TV companies rather you pay for their DVR boxes but they cannot force it on you.

Sony can easily bring this to the US without any problems whatsoever.

the problem lies in the fact that the UK tv broadcast is a single standard format, but in the US its less of a monopoly and different regions have different broadcasts.
seeing as this device is not an addition to the broadcast, but a container for it sony cannot control its use where there is multiple broadcast standards.

this has more info.
http://kotaku.com/gaming/gc07/harris...-tv-292330.php

[F9zDark]

the problem lies in the fact that the UK tv broadcast is a single standard format, but in the US its less of a monopoly and different regions have different broadcasts.
seeing as this device is not an addition to the broadcast, but a container for it sony cannot control its use where there is multiple broadcast standards.

this has more info.
http://kotaku.com/gaming/gc07/harris...-tv-292330.php

I really don't see what the problem is. Maybe I just don't understand the article, but it seems like a blanket answer to me (something merely to confuse). DVRs bought in my town can work anywhere else in the country without issue. People can even make their own and bring them with them from NJ to Puerto Rico to California and have no problem using it.

It just seems to me that Sony isn't trying hard enough. If these problems plagued other DVR manufacturers I can imagine these companies wouldn't manufacture them any longer.

[Xiofire]

Thanks for nothing Sony. From your US PS3 owners.

This type of thing annoys me, as when you look back, the UK and all PAL areas get the shaft when it comes to game releases, delays and other stuff like that. America and Japan come first. But then as soon as one app or game or whatever comes out for the EU market first before the US, you guys moan and say how unfair the release is. Im sure some other TV Service/Reciever for the PS3 will come to America in due course.

(OK Rant over)

Looks cool, may finally be able to get Digital TV in my room as Freeview doesnt cover my area.