PS3 gets TiVO

[Marajade]

These days, it seems like everything electronic - even the newest video game consoles - have to evolve to keep people happy. The PS3 already plays Blu-Ray discs, DVDs, music CDs, and all PlayStation software, but apparently, even all that isn't enough for Sony.

Sony's New Zealand sales and marketing manager Warwick Light has said the console is prepared to become a TV recorder, kinda like TiVo. This is just another step in the building process, evidently, in order to make the system more diverse than ever before. Light made these comments to a New Zealand newspaper (The Press), and elaborated on the situation:

"We're also hoping next year - about the same time that Freeview launches its terrestrial broadcasting service (expected to be in March) - to release a digital tuner for the PS3, turning it into a programmable TV recorder."

Sony UK has yet to respond to these comments, but we're hoping for something positive. Freeview is a pretty big deal, and lately, so is TV recording, so this announcement is definitely getting the attention of PS3 owners. We'll keep you updated with any developments to this story.

neat, though the PS3 has no inputs for a standard TV signal so i'm not sure exactly how it'll work. I assume more details will be forthcoming.

 

[Firestreak]

Well that saves me several hundred bucks by not needing a real TIVO. Question being is if the 350 gig hard drive I'd buy for it and whatever adapter will be needed saves me that much money in the end.

Either way, everything into one box = awesome. Especially if that can be used as a HD tuner too not just recieve from another real tuner.

 

[Kurgon]

As long as it is an addon and can record programs while I play games, movies, or d/l'd trailers and demos this sounds great. I've been thinking about building a HTPC but maybe the need isn't there. I can already play movies off my external HDD and if this allows me to record programs all the features I need are there. Hopefully it can operate while in a sleep mode or something. I don't like leaving my electronics on 24-7 but I guess I sometimes partake in folding so this isn't really much different.

 

[Marajade]

Update

The first big announcement of the GC 2007 has arrived: it's called PlayTV, and it lets you watch and record your favorite TV shows on the PS3, completely independently of one another. In other words, you can watch one show while saving another. The user can choose any show and save it to the hard drive by selecting from a slick seven-day guide on the machine. Perhaps most impressive of all is the fact you can remotely operate this feature with the PSP! Not only can you set your PS3 to record a show from work, but you can also stream that show directly to your PSP for viewing on the go. How sweet is that?

This option will utilize the Digital Video Broadcasting standard, and can display the picture in any high-definition resolution, depending on 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, head boss of Sony Europe.

This awesome new feature will be available in early 2008 in Europe (UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany), although we have no official word yet on when it may arrive in the U.S. We'll keep you posted as the Sony press conference rolls on.

 

[Gerry]

This is an interesting move. At the moment, Sky TV are the GIANTS in TV Entertainment in the UK as they have introduced this saving TV programs feature first and now Sky TV are doing HD TV here... Is Sony just ripping other companies ideas now? What are they gonna do next? They're own TV network?

....

Yeah right (!)

Although the whole controlling thing with the PSP IS actually innovative, I'm wondering how it'll work. Good find Marajade =)

 

[Sharpe]

Unless Sony gives Rupert Murdoch a fuckton of cash I really can't see BSkyB letting PS3's record Sky programmes.