Emerging straight out of Sony's press conference currently underway at the Leipzig Games Convention are Sony's plans to turn PS3 into a digital TV receiver and recorder with a new PlayTV service due early 2008.
Sony will release a small digital tuner box (pictured) that will enable PlayTV on your PS3, which will allow you to record and (simultaneously) watch freeview digital TV.
Users will also be able to transmit the signal to their PSP via Wi-Fi locally, or via the internet using Remote Connection to watch programs stored on their PS3 on the handheld.
"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," says Sony.
The digital tuner is yet to be priced.
Sony has also announced 'Go!'; a new entertainment brand for PSP, also set to launch early next year. The Go! Video Download service will be the official video service for UK and Europe, allowing users to purchase and download videos direct to their PSP memory card via a wireless internet connection. Again, this is also due for launch early next year.
Go!Messenger lets PSP owners swap messages for free via the internet when in range of a Wi-Fi access point. It will be compatible with the already released Go!Cam to allow for video calls and video/voice messaging.
Go!Explore meanwhile will bring satellite navigation functionality to the handheld. "Incorporating a GPS receiver and the UMD (Universal Media Disc) software containing your chosen maps, Go!Explore will offer a top quality Satellite Navigation system at an affordable price", explains Sony. How affordable that price will be is currently a secret that only Sony knows.
Sony has also confirmed that the new slim PSP will launch in UK and Europe on September 5. Three main colours will be released: Piano Black, Ceramic White and Ice Silver, while two limited edition models, Spiderman Red and Black and Simpsons Yellow will also be released exclusively to Europe.
We'll have more in-depth information on all of Sony's announcements after the info storm settles. Look out for new Killzone shots too.
yawn...i think I'll just carry on using my sky+ box like the other 50 million households. what's the point? why don't they just concentrate on games.
I dont have a sky+ box and frankly its a rip off -
This is looking gr8 for sony - the fact you can upgrade your hard drive in your ps3 means you have unlimited recording space - terrabite drives in the ps3
Sat nav on the psp hmmm it would have to be cheap and be really good - im still a fan of my tomtom
yawn...i think I'll just carry on using my sky+ box like the other 50 million households. what's the point? why don't they just concentrate on games.
Because not everybody has a Sky+ box and Sky+ can't stream to your PSP.
And it's not any of the games studios making it is it? It's the hardware division.
Some people seem to love just whining about Sony.
First of all, the majority of people that are buying PS3's or can afford one will already have Sky+ or more likely, Sky HD. That would render this announcement useless. Also, when will Sony realise that no one gives a crap about the PSP. Its rubbish! I also think what the original poster was trying to say is that why don't Sony's hardware division focus on something that will benefit games rather than useless stuff like this just so they can match was MS has to offer...
The GPS thing isn't a bad idea. A PSP with 1gig of storage is about £150. The cheapest TomTom (the now very outdated TomTom ONE) is £199, the latest models being £340. So unless the addon to make a PSP GPS is more than £100, its a good deal.
The same goes for Sky+, a sky+ box is £130 (including £30 installation which you must pay for, then you need to be paying £30+ a month to sky to get sky+ unless they've changed that recently). Digital twintuning PVRs with HDD are well over £100, not to mention you can stick huge SATA HDDs into a PS3 (the largest PVRs are in the 320GB range) it does look like it'll be a very affordable option.
yawn...i think I'll just carry on using my sky+ box like the other 50 million households. what's the point? why don't they just concentrate on games.
Because not everybody has a Sky+ box and Sky+ can't stream to your PSP.
And it's not any of the games studios making it is it? It's the hardware division.
Some people seem to love just whining about Sony.
First of all, the majority of people that are buying PS3's or can afford one will already have Sky+ or more likely, Sky HD. That would render this announcement useless. Also, when will Sony realise that no one gives a crap about the PSP. Its rubbish! I also think what the original poster was trying to say is that why don't Sony's hardware division focus on something that will benefit games rather than useless stuff like this just so they can match was MS has to offer...
Because sony will then have a USP (unique selling point) on their console
They say its supposed to take over the lounge - well with a freeview recorder i think it will - save me getting all this separate equipment i can have my blu ray player - my gaming machine - my photo viewer - my internet access and freeview box all under my tv outputting high def pictures
Games take years to make - first they gotta come up with an idea - do you know how long c++ coding takes its not like click click oh look now he moves
yawn...i think I'll just carry on using my sky+ box like the other 50 million households. what's the point? why don't they just concentrate on games.
I dont have a sky+ box and frankly its a rip off -
This is looking gr8 for sony - the fact you can upgrade your hard drive in your ps3 means you have unlimited recording space - terrabite drives in the ps3
Sat nav on the psp hmmm it would have to be cheap and be really good - im still a fan of my tomtom
Because you have to pay for the damn box. Then an extra subscription on top of your usual sky sub. Then after the first year an extortionate cover plan so that sky will fix the damn thing if it breaks due to their update that you had to have. It's the reason I cancelled my Sky.
Because you have to pay for the damn box. Then an extra subscription on top of your usual sky sub. Then after the first year an extortionate cover plan so that sky will fix the damn thing if it breaks due to their update that you had to have. It's the reason I cancelled my Sky.
Because you have to pay for the damn box. Then an extra subscription on top of your usual sky sub. Then after the first year an extortionate cover plan so that sky will fix the damn thing if it breaks due to their update that you had to have. It's the reason I cancelled my Sky.
Sorry to hear you were unhappy with the service that Sky provided you mate, if its any consolation the monthly subscription for Sky + has now been canned but you do still need to pay £99 for the box. Thats how it works though mate, nowt for nowt and the Sky + box has won more awards than Man Utd so its not as if your not getting a great bit of kit?
It was recently announced that Sony and Sky were planning a joint venture to provide content for the PSP so it looks like Sony have players like Sky very much in mind for the PSP and more than likely the PS3?
Sad to say it but have to agree that it smacks of desperation from Sony.. the vast majority are buying it as a great games console or for its Bluray capabilities!
"Joe Public" isn't going to buy this as a home-hub and more damaging, this sends out totally the wrong message to the gamer community!
I think this is a great idea. I can't understand why people keep going on about Sky+, what the fu** has Sky+ got to do with mobile TV?(That's the whole point of this device Right?).
what i didn't like is the typically stupid statement from Sony- saying that the PS3 will take its "rightful" place in the living room. Rightful? Get outta here you silly little man.
But the main reason we buy games consoles/computers/DVDs is that there is nothing worth watching on TV, and freeview is just more crap that's not worth watching, let alone recording
The download service for PSP sounds ok, but a PSP with loads of flash memory or mini hard drive would be needed to make the most of it.
I'm just not interested in all these kind of add ons and things I want a console to play video games nothing else I dont use my 360 for all these types of things I won't be downloading videos for it or music tracks or anythin else if I want watch a film I'll watch it on a dvd player, if I want listen to music I'll put the cd player or ipod on I want a console to play games, nothing else
Now if sony & Sky had come up with an add on that would allow you to connect your ps3 to a satalite dish & playback & record Sky HD etc this would be a great selling point if it was affordable, But seeing as it looks likely it will be limited to freeview this is not that exciting to me.
yawn...i think I'll just carry on using my sky+ box like the other 50 million households. what's the point? why don't they just concentrate on games.
Because not everybody has a Sky+ box and Sky+ can't stream to your PSP.
And it's not any of the games studios making it is it? It's the hardware division.
Some people seem to love just whining about Sony.
First of all, the majority of people that are buying PS3's or can afford one will already have Sky+ or more likely, Sky HD. That would render this announcement useless. Also, when will Sony realise that no one gives a crap about the PSP. Its rubbish! I also think what the original poster was trying to say is that why don't Sony's hardware division focus on something that will benefit games rather than useless stuff like this just so they can match was MS has to offer...
Because sony will then have a USP (unique selling point) on their console
They say its supposed to take over the lounge - well with a freeview recorder i think it will - save me getting all this separate equipment i can have my blu ray player - my gaming machine - my photo viewer - my internet access and freeview box all under my tv outputting high def pictures
Games take years to make - first they gotta come up with an idea - do you know how long c++ coding takes its not like click click oh look now he moves
They won't have a USP point though will they. MS have already announced plans for their IPTV service, which will launch this fall. This is simply Sony trying to out-do MS and try to make PS3 the entertainment hub of households around the world. Simply put, this will never happen. If I wanted a Blu-Ray player I would buy a standalone one which would be a greater quality. If I wanted to record TV I would get Sky+. If I wanted to view web pages I would use my computer. If i wanted to view my pictures I would use my computer. This just sends out the wrong message about PS3 becuase at the moment its a better multimedia system than it is a games console...
I havent fully read it but it just looks like a glorified digibox and will probably cost more as well. Also as so many ps3 fanboys made a stink about the 360 powersupply i wonder what they will say about this. They are around the same size by the looks of things.
What's with all the sky+ references? It's not only sky+ that can record TV!
I got my freeview PVR (which records 1 channel whilst you watch another channel - or it can record both at the same time) more than 12 months ago and it only cost me £80 then! So I bet there's some even cheaper knocking about somewhere now... The real talking point will be when Sony announce the price.
Considering the tuner box won't have to have a hard drive etc, because it'll be using the PS3, then the most this thing should cost is £20-£30 in my opinion, anymore than that and I would question the value.
The only benefit this has over anything else out there is the ability to stream it to the PSP, and I personally feel this won't be of any benefit or interest to most people.
Although not directly related, the Virgin mobile TV service has flopped and is being scrapped. The other mobile phone operators aren't exactly shouting about it either - so is being able to watch TV on a little screen really what the majority of consumers want?
Back when the rumours started about the PS3 being used to watch freeview I pointed out it would most likely be in the form of an extra attachment and I doubted it would have much appeal then. I stand by that assumption and feel this will be little more than a gimmick bought only by a small number of people.
First of all, the majority of people that are buying PS3's or can afford one will already have Sky+ or more likely, Sky HD. That would render this announcement useless.
I have a PS3 but dont have Sky+. Nor do I want it or the subscription fee.
I abandoned my video recorder years ago but havent upgraded to a PVR. I do use freeview and the PlayTV actually could be great because it means I dont have to get a full PVR.
Of course the PlayTV isnt intended for every PS3 owner, but it isnt meant to be.
Also, when the PS3 design is miniaturised in 3 years time, dont be surprised to see it built in to the PS3...
Goodness. When did Sony lose focus on the games and us gamers? What is Sony actually trying to market? A multi-media hub? A games machine? Both? Their constant blunders suggest that they don't even know themselves.
As someone mentioned earlier, no one gives a cr*p about the PSP and, in my case, it's the biggest waste of money I have ever spent.
Why would anyone want to stream freeview channels from their PS3 to their PSP at home? Just watch it on the TV. As for viewing in hotspots... sure, as a novelty. But mobile TVs didn't catch on and, in my opinion, neither will this. In many countries, TV, Cable, Foxtel, can already be streamed directly onto mobiles - a device with a user base many times greater than the PSP.
As for the TV Tuner add-on for the PS3... don't HD TV's all come with integrated digital TV tuners these days?
Awwwwwwwwww look at these xbots having they little tamptrums! If it was on xbox it would be a totally different story i.e. "f**k yeah this is the best thing ever M$ rulez blah blah f**king blah blah! lol
yawn...i think I'll just carry on using my sky+ box like the other 50 million households. what's the point? why don't they just concentrate on games.
Because not everybody has a Sky+ box and Sky+ can't stream to your PSP.
And it's not any of the games studios making it is it? It's the hardware division.
Some people seem to love just whining about Sony.
First of all, the majority of people that are buying PS3's or can afford one will already have Sky+ or more likely, Sky HD. That would render this announcement useless. Also, when will Sony realise that no one gives a crap about the PSP. Its rubbish! I also think what the original poster was trying to say is that why don't Sony's hardware division focus on something that will benefit games rather than useless stuff like this just so they can match was MS has to offer...
Because sony will then have a USP (unique selling point) on their console moves
They won't have a USP point though will they. MS have already announced plans for their IPTV service, which will launch this fall. This is simply Sony trying to out-do MS and try to make PS3 the entertainment hub of households around the world. Simply put, this will never happen. If I wanted a Blu-Ray player I would buy a standalone one which would be a greater quality. If I wanted to record TV I would get Sky+. If I wanted to view web pages I would use my computer. If i wanted to view my pictures I would use my computer. This just sends out the wrong message about PS3 becuase at the moment its a better multimedia system than it is a games console...
er... are you thick ?... that's exactly what sony are doing try adding all those items above, then tell me which is better value ...
Awwwwwwwwww look at these xbots having they little tamptrums! If it was on xbox it would be a totally different story i.e. "f**k yeah this is the best thing ever M$ rulez blah blah f**king blah blah! lol
My thoughts were exactly the opposite of yours. If M$ had announced this, all the $ony fanboys would be hollerin' about what a waste of money it is. Besides, M$ had already announced this sort of thing with their IP TV that is coming later this year for the 360, without the need to have an aerial or an add-on, just your internet connection.
Anyways, your sentences are complete tripe and scream out that you are infact a jealous fanboy, It has only been you that has had the "tantrum", grow up.
yawn...i think I'll just carry on using my sky+ box like the other 50 million households. what's the point? why don't they just concentrate on games.
I dont have a sky+ box and frankly its a rip off -
This is looking gr8 for sony - the fact you can upgrade your hard drive in your ps3 means you have unlimited recording space - terrabite drives in the ps3
Errm, you do realise you can upgrade the hard disc in the sky+ box with no hassle, don't you?
Why all of the moans about Sky+ when you can buy plenty of Freeview PVR's like I have. Sony had better make sure their unit has dual tuners or you'll be stuck with recording the same program as you're watching. I would have thought the combination of the PS3 and this new Tuner will use quite a bit more electricity over a year compared with either Sky+ or a Freeview PVR.
Surely the sending of TV to the PSP is just a gimmick. Why wouldn't you just watch the TV program on your normal TV. It's got a much bigger screen.
Why all of the moans about Sky+ when you can buy plenty of Freeview PVR's like I have. Sony had better make sure their unit has dual tuners or you'll be stuck with recording the same program as you're watching. I would have thought the combination of the PS3 and this new Tuner will use quite a bit more electricity over a year compared with either Sky+ or a Freeview PVR.
Surely the sending of TV to the PSP is just a gimmick. Why wouldn't you just watch the TV program on your normal TV. It's got a much bigger screen.
er... if you read up on it you'd be aware that it does have dual HDMI (for recording one show and watching another) also..if i can sit in my local pub (which has a wi-fi hotspot) and watch anything thats on my ps3, plus when its available i can watch TV on it as well)
Why all of the moans about Sky+ when you can buy plenty of Freeview PVR's like I have. Sony had better make sure their unit has dual tuners or you'll be stuck with recording the same program as you're watching. I would have thought the combination of the PS3 and this new Tuner will use quite a bit more electricity over a year compared with either Sky+ or a Freeview PVR.
Surely the sending of TV to the PSP is just a gimmick. Why wouldn't you just watch the TV program on your normal TV. It's got a much bigger screen.
er... if you read up on it you'd be aware that it does have dual HDMI (for recording one show and watching another) also..if i can sit in my local pub (which has a wi-fi hotspot) and watch anything thats on my ps3, plus when its available i can watch TV on it as well)
Dual HDMI has nothing to do with how many shows you can record and watch! They are just outputs, it is the number of tuners in the device that is important. If there is only 1 tuner and you are recording something, the device is only receiving that one signal so you will be stuck watching that regardless of how many ouputs you have!
Why all of the moans about Sky+ when you can buy plenty of Freeview PVR's like I have. Sony had better make sure their unit has dual tuners or you'll be stuck with recording the same program as you're watching. I would have thought the combination of the PS3 and this new Tuner will use quite a bit more electricity over a year compared with either Sky+ or a Freeview PVR.
Surely the sending of TV to the PSP is just a gimmick. Why wouldn't you just watch the TV program on your normal TV. It's got a much bigger screen.
er... if you read up on it you'd be aware that it does have dual HDMI (for recording one show and watching another) also..if i can sit in my local pub (which has a wi-fi hotspot) and watch anything thats on my ps3, plus when its available i can watch TV on it as well)
Dual HDMI has nothing to do with how many shows you can record and watch! They are just outputs, it is the number of tuners in the device that is important. If there is only 1 tuner and you are recording something, the device is only receiving that one signal so you will be stuck watching that regardless of how many ouputs you have!
LOL forget the tuner, doesn't the local pub have games, TVs and women? Why the heck would you want to stare at your PSP???
If PS3 owners wanna get this for their console then let them. I have no PVR, I do have freeview though but I spend most of my time watching DVDs or playing games.
The Xbox tv sounds good but I've been disappointed with all internet based streaming video (You Tube included), I've tried web TV which sucked, the connection was good but the picture quality was horrible.
What I'd like to see is the Sony add on record in the background while the user plays games. If it does that then that would be good.
So am i reading this wrong or is this not an IPTV service? I think IPTV is the key above all else including Blue-ray & HD-DVD. As soon as one launches where i can get the football live my Sky service is a thing of the past.
On a side note i'm disappointed that once again there's very little on games. Ok so i don't follow it religiously but as far as i'm aware the only unique PS3 games this Xmas are: Haze, UT3 & Heavenly Sword. Is that really enough? Do any of these stack up against Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime, Mass Effect & Halo3 (which i think are all out before Xmas) which are all exclusive to the other formats?
Everyone knows that TV is absolute sh!te. Therefore I would never want to plague a console with it. Especially when gaming is one of the main reasons I actually bother having a TV.
So am i reading this wrong or is this not an IPTV service? I think IPTV is the key above all else including Blue-ray & HD-DVD. As soon as one launches where i can get the football live my Sky service is a thing of the past.
On a side note i'm disappointed that once again there's very little on games. Ok so i don't follow it religiously but as far as i'm aware the only unique PS3 games this Xmas are: Haze, UT3 & Heavenly Sword. Is that really enough? Do any of these stack up against Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime, Mass Effect & Halo3 (which i think are all out before Xmas) which are all exclusive to the other formats?
Haze is 'exclusive' for a few months and then moves to X360 I do believe.
So am i reading this wrong or is this not an IPTV service? I think IPTV is the key above all else including Blue-ray & HD-DVD. As soon as one launches where i can get the football live my Sky service is a thing of the past.
On a side note i'm disappointed that once again there's very little on games. Ok so i don't follow it religiously but as far as i'm aware the only unique PS3 games this Xmas are: Haze, UT3 & Heavenly Sword. Is that really enough? Do any of these stack up against Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime, Mass Effect & Halo3 (which i think are all out before Xmas) which are all exclusive to the other formats?
Haze is 'exclusive' for a few months and then moves to X360 I do believe.
So am i reading this wrong or is this not an IPTV service? I think IPTV is the key above all else including Blue-ray & HD-DVD. As soon as one launches where i can get the football live my Sky service is a thing of the past.
On a side note i'm disappointed that once again there's very little on games. Ok so i don't follow it religiously but as far as i'm aware the only unique PS3 games this Xmas are: Haze, UT3 & Heavenly Sword. Is that really enough? Do any of these stack up against Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime, Mass Effect & Halo3 (which i think are all out before Xmas) which are all exclusive to the other formats?
Haze is 'exclusive' for a few months and then moves to X360 I do believe.
that's why i said "Xmas"
ah, sorry! haha! Heavenly Sword is exclusive isn't it? Maybe thats where I made the comparision.
yawn...i think I'll just carry on using my sky+ box like the other 50 million households. what's the point? why don't they just concentrate on games.
Ever thought that they have staff who are hired to do this who aren't Gaming developers, also there 1st party studio is bigger than nintys and MS combines so i don't see how your moaning on them not consentrating on games.
Also for one the amount of people who have sky in the UK is under 15million. and a 1/4 of that tops have sky+.
I think this is a great idea as when im at uni i can't afford sky and free view will do me just fine
If I wanted a Blu-Ray player I would buy a standalone one which would be a greater quality. If I wanted to record TV I would get Sky+. If I wanted to view web pages I would use my computer. If i wanted to view my pictures I would use my computer.
But what if you wanted to do all of those?
I, like many others, don't have Sky+, so I'll be keeping an eye on this.
yawn...i think I'll just carry on using my sky+ box like the other 50 million households. what's the point? why don't they just concentrate on games.
Because not everybody has a Sky+ box and Sky+ can't stream to your PSP.
And it's not any of the games studios making it is it? It's the hardware division.
Some people seem to love just whining about Sony.
First of all, the majority of people that are buying PS3's or can afford one will already have Sky+ or more likely, Sky HD. That would render this announcement useless. Also, when will Sony realise that no one gives a crap about the PSP. Its rubbish! I also think what the original poster was trying to say is that why don't Sony's hardware division focus on something that will benefit games rather than useless stuff like this just so they can match was MS has to offer...
So people who pay a large amount of money for something, has a lot to spare too? If I as a student wanted a PS3 (or any other console), I would have to save money for some months. Then when I had enough, I would buy one. But that wouldn't mean, I had all the money in the world to go get a lot of other gimmicks. Sometimes when a person is buying a PS3, it is an investment in your own entertainment and sparetime, and is funded by a large chunk of your financials.
Sad to say it but have to agree that it smacks of desperation from Sony.. the vast majority are buying it as a great games console or for its Bluray capabilities!
"Joe Public" isn't going to buy this as a home-hub and more damaging, this sends out totally the wrong message to the gamer community!
Why would anyone ever go and complain about extra features and uses for an item? This does in no way make it a worse Game or Blu Ray player. This just makes it more, which makes it far more interesting and useful. Not less, silly...
The argument that adding more sweet features to a product is a bad thing, is just mindless hating.
I think this is a great idea!! It will tip the scales for me to buy a PS3.I get rid of a video recorder, freeview box and my PS2 and replace it with a PS3 . For those who want a dedicated blu-ray player? Sure, go and spend lots more money on it. I.m.o the reason the PS3 isn’t selling well is because there are no must have games available for it yet. I bought my PS2 to play MGS 2 and 3, and the same reason applies to MGS4. I have a gaming PC already that I use almost exclusively for online gaming and I don’t have unlimited funds to buy a dedicated console and all the other stuff to watch hd-dvd or blu-ray movies. A decent price drop would be nice.
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