PlayTV DVR gets priced, dated

[Nodz86]

This has made me want a PS3 even more now. Just need them to release the 80gb sku or an even bigger hdd.

 

 

 

 

UK retailer Play.com has placed a listing for the upcoming PlayTV peripheral on its website. This Europe-exclusive add-on for the PS3 will allow PS3 owners to do a number of cool things, such as:

• Record and view your favourite programmes at the same time - Play TV enables you to record both Standard Definition as well as High Definition
  
• Personal Video Recorder functionality - watch live TV, pause, fast forward and rewind
  
• Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) to show what's on, now and next - up to 7 days in advance in certain countries
  
• Mobile TV functionality - export content easily from PS3 HDD to PSP - watch TV on the go! Thanks to live streaming, you can watch your favourite show whilst abroad
  
• Channel surf with either your BD remote or your Sixaxis
  

The site has a March 28th release date and a £99.99 price point.

 

Credit toPS3Fanboy.com

 

Recap on what PlayTV is...

 

At Games Convention today, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) announced the introduction of PlayTV, a combined TV tuner and Personal Video Recorder (PVR) for PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™). PlayTV will be available in UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain early in 2008, with other PAL territories to follow in due course.

 

Designed to reinforce PS3's rightful place in the Living Room at the heart of the home entertainment needs, the twin channel TV tuner peripheral and PVR software turns PS3 into a state of the art TV recorder, allowing users to watch, pause and record live TV. PlayTV will also record individual programmes or whole series1 to the PS3 hard drive for viewing later on the family TV, or for transferring to the PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) for remote viewing outside of the home.

 

Operating on the widely available Digital Video Broadcasting – Terrestrial (DVB-T) format, PlayTV uses an incredibly quick and easy to use 7-day Electronic Programme Guide EPG2. that provides the navigation for programming the PVR features of PlayTV.

 

In line with PlayStation's focus on advanced technology made easy, PlayTV provides a host of added value features seldom seen on anything but the highest cost standalone PVRs:

 

· PlayTV's two TV tuners are High Definition ready and are able to view, record and play back High Definition signals in full HD1080P to fully complement PS3's already impressive High Definition credentials.

 

· Unlike the electronic programme guides found on conventional satellite and cable services, PlayTV's EPG is lightning fast, and simple to use with either PS3's SIXAXIS™ wireless controller or the BD remote control to really enhance viewing pleasure.

 

· Intuitive controls, single button help features, tutorial videos and simple navigation make PlayTV a positive joy to use compared with the complexity of some standalone PVR models

 

· Seamless connectivity with PSP allows you to set recordings, watch Live TV and recorded TV programmes remotely on PSP via a Wi-Fi connection (using Remote Play feature). Alternatively, quickly transcode recorded TV shows for high quality viewing to PSP by USB cable for remote viewing away from the home.

 

· 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, maximising the viewing experience.

 

· PlayTV will evolve with time, with great added value functionality being updated via PLAYSTATION®Network; a feature that sets it above all other set top boxes. PlayTV will never be out of date.

 

"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.

 

For loads more info and Videos Click Here

 

Update 4/9/08:

PlayTV: hands on preview

4 Sep

 

Announced just a year ago at Leipzig GC 2007, PlayTV is the long awaited add-on, which allows you to watch, record, rewind and pause live TV on your PS3 gaming console. Complete with a slick seven-day Electronic Program Guide (EPG), you can even schedule recordings to be completed whilst you use one of your PS3’s many other functions or, because of the unit’s nifty dual-tuner, you can even record whilst you are viewing another channel through PlayTV itself. It also incorporates funky Remote Play compatibility for use with the PSP on the move.

 

Setting up the PlayTV unit for operation couldn’t be simpler - just pop the disc into your PS3 and follow the on-screen step-by-step instructions:

 

- Connect your TV aerial to the PlayTV box

- Connect the box to your PS3 using the USB cable that comes in the package

- Scan for available freeview channels

 

Full installation of PlayTV takes no more than five minutes, after which it gains its own place on the Cross Media Bar, and you’ll never need the disc again. Once you’re fully installed, you can launch straight into the EPG and are ready to kick back, relax and watch some TV.

 

Sony has always been renowned for its easy-to-use, professional and well built user interfaces, and the one accompanying PlayTV certainly doesn’t disappoint. SCEE have built a slick and fast EPG, with graphics presented so well that scrolling through channels is simply a breeze, and avoids any lag that you might expect.

 

The EPG is also extremely easy to use: you can view what’s on over the next few hours at a glance, and if you want to delve further into the details you can scroll across to the program of your choice, and more detailed program information will be displayed beneath the EPG table. On this same screen, you can set recordings by pressing select on your chosen program, providing a really fast way to plan your viewing.

 

Another way you can set a recording is to use the ‘Find and Record’ utility. Accessed from the main carousel menu (which contains access to settings, the EPG, library etc) the Find and Record utility does exactly what the name suggests. You simply input a key word / words and any programmes due to air within the next seven days, which have these words are included within the title or description will be listed. You are then ready to schedule a recording or view the programme (if it’s airing there and then) at a press of a button.

 

Also accessed from the main menu is your recording schedule – a simple list of all your planned recordings, which is especially useful if you need to remove a scheduled recording should you change your mind, or wish to record something else after realising the finale of Big Brother really isn’t going to be that exciting.

 

The recording itself is totally independent, and can continue no matter what you’re doing. If you’re not in the PlayTV application itself, a notification similar to those telling you of new messages received will pop up in the top right-hand corner of the screen, letting you know what’s being recorded. As for game performance whilst PlayTV is recording, we tried out Resistance, Assassin’s Creed and MGS4 - none of which showed a visible degradation in framerate while recording Family Guy from BBC Three.

 

The PlayTV Library, again accessed from the main carousel style menu, is where all of your recorded content is stored and accessed. Two handy views are available, one being a formal list and the other being a thumbnail view – showing a clip of each recording, similar to video thumbnails on the XMB. Another function accessed through the library is chasing playback, enabling you to start watching something you’re recording that hasn’t yet actually finished; for example, if your scheduled episode of Heroes starts at 9 and you get home at twenty past itching to catch up on the latest happenings as soon as possible, you can start watching the episode from the beginning and PlayTV will continue to record and effectively timeshift your viewing – perfect.

 

One of the big talking points of PlayTV has always been it’s compatibility with the PSP; and while we can confirm you won’t be able to physically copy files over to the PSP’s Memory Stick Duo, there’s plenty of other functionality provided with Remote Play. Anywhere you can get a wireless internet connection, you’ll be able to hook up your PSP to your console sat at home; enabling you to not only watch stored recordings, but also watch live TV, schedule recordings, and… well, do anything that Play TV can do. Working overtime but don’t want to miss Neighbours? Or want to pause the evening news until you get in? Simply pull out your PSP, connect to your PS3 over wi-fi and do it remotely. As with any Remote Play functionality, the connection you’re using will need to be of a decent speed (especially for watching video), but in our field tests only slight pixilation occurred when using a shared connection at work - and hardly any when connected via a friend’s wireless router.

Another potential use of Remote Play is the ability to watch TV wirelessly around the home. Bring your PSP into the kitchen whilst you cook dinner or do the washing up; watch Peep Show in bed; or even catch up on the news while you sun yourself (note: not for UK readers) in the garden.

 

Finally - the controls. PlayTV incorporates two solutions for controlling your channel hopping: you can either use the PS3’s Sixaxis / DualShock 3 controller, or if you have the optional Blu-ray remote you can use that. Handily for those using the Blu-ray remote, PlayTV comes with an adhesive plastic sticker, which overlays onto your remote, adding controls for PlayTV whilst keeping the original ones there too. This works really well, and those expecting to use Play TV a lot might wish to consider investing in the remote – especially useful for simplifying for people not familiar with PlayStation control pads. The Sixaxis controller, however, is equally compfortable for those already used to it, and uses straight forward controls: up and down on the D-Pad to flick through channels, shoulder buttons to rewind / fast forward recordings; it will really take you no time to get used to using it at all.

 

PlayTV adds yet more functionality to the PS3, and if you regularly use Freeview to watch TV then it’s definitely for you. The slick EPG and user interface nicely fit the PS3 experience, and those of you switching from an older Freeview box will be delighted with the difference. Its recording functions suit all needs, with every standard function incorporated – and while some people mention that there’s no ‘Series Link’ feature built in, you can simply set up a weekly recording for the same time-slot each week. The rarely found Find and Record feature is especially useful, and saves time and effort trawling through the EPG looking for the program you wish to schedule. Its Remote Play features work extremely well, and further increase the value of PlayTV enabling you to watch TV wherever you have an internet connection.

 

In our humble opinion – well worth it. So, our question to you – what will be the first recording you set up through PlayTV?

Tom Eccles

 

From threespeech

[Camel]

That sounds like a really good idea but i still think im gonna wait till GT5 comes out or borrow my step dads when he gets it. I've not read it all yet because of coursework but I'll read it later.

[Nodz86]

I'm waiting til a bigger hdd comes out with backwards compatability (even tho i still have a wroking ps2).

 

Saying that iirc the 360 is getting a similar thing through BT Vision I'm sure I posted it somehwere on here.

 

Edit:

Here it is http://forum.turboduck.net/showthread.php?t=2801&highlight=xbox+vision

[DriftNismo]

Finally, some news on it. I can't wait for it, was going to get Apple TV but i might as well wait for this.

[Pherelas]

Got Sky HD for that and my archos DVR station does some aswell sso no point, but is still a cheap freeview recorder thing, there about £300 at the mo arn't they?

[DriftNismo]

I'm waiting til a bigger hdd comes out with backwards compatability (even tho i still have a wroking ps2).

 

I think the upcoming 80GB has backwards compatability, but if you want a bigger HDD you'll have to get your hands on a 60GB (if you can) and put a bigger HDD in it. HDDs for it are pretty cheap since they are just 2.5" SATA drives, so basically laptop HDDs. I'm putting 520GB in mine soon.

[Nodz86]

Unfortubnately all the 60gb had run out at xmas and are not being restocked as sony has stopped production on the 60gb. I have heard (and posted somewhere) that 120gb and 160gb iirc are coming in a possible slim and light version at the end of this year but it is pure speculation atm i think.

[DriftNismo]

Unfortubnately all the 60gb had run out at xmas and are not being restocked as sony has stopped production on the 60gb. I have heard (and posted somewhere) that 120gb and 160gb iirc are coming in a possible slim and light version at the end of this year but it is pure speculation atm i think.

 

Possibly more speculation, i haven't heard anything on it. You should just try and get a hold of a 60GB somewhere, just stay away from the 40GB.

[Nodz86]

Threespeech hands on report added to 1st post