PlayTV

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

PlayTV
Manufacturer	Sony Computer Entertainment
Type	Digital video recorder
System storage	Hard disk (Via PS3)
Controller input	PlayStation controller or BD Remote
Connectivity	USB 2.0, Coaxial

Officially announced August 22, 2007; PlayTV is a twin-channel DVB-T tuner peripheral with digital video recorder (DVR) software which allows users to watch and record television programs to the PlayStation 3 hard drive for later viewing.

[edit] Features

Mobile TV with PSP: Wi-Fi connectivity with a PSP allows for portable viewing of live or recorded television programming. By using the Remote Play feature of the PlayStation 3, owners can access their PlayStation 3 console including PlayTV anywhere in the world using their PSP and a Wi-fi hotspot. The PSP has the ability to 'wake up' the PlayStation 3 from stand-by mode, allowing the user the ability to watch live TV, set recordings and watch previously recorded content anywhere in the world direct from their PS3 to their PSP via the internet.

Recorded programs can be transcoded and transferred via USB to the PSP. The recorded files will not contain DRM meaning the programs will be copyable to any mass storage device connected to the PS3^[1]. This feature also allows the export of radio shows allowing users to make their very own podcasts for on the go listening.

LiveTV:^[2] The Live TV feature allows access to the widely available DVB-T network. In the UK this is known as Freeview.^[3] Whilst using the Live TV option, live programming is cached as it is displayed, so that users can pause, rewind and fast forward through any recently-viewed material, as well as record and turn subtitles and audio description on/off. Screen size can also be changed. A programme guide can so be accessed. PlayTV allows users to watch one program whilst recording another. Live TV also has a now and next bar allowing enabling users to scroll through live TV and see what is on other channels and what is coming on next.

Guide (Electronic Program Guide):^[4] The software features a 7-day electronic program guide.^[5] PlayTV allows users to set recordings and change channel from the Guide, also selectable is a Favourites guide which is a list of a users favourite programs. The Guide shows a full description of all programs. Whilst setting recordings, users can set whether they would like to repeat the recordings daily or weekly to record the same program again in a series - a 'kind of' series link.

Library:^[6] The PlayTV Library is where all the recorded content is stored. The content can be viewed in a list view or in a thumbnail view. Its also fully sortable by date, channel and name. The library is also where content can be exported to the PlayStation 3's main menu to be stored with the rest of the user's video files. Whilst playing back the recorded content, users can pause, fast forward, rewind, skip to/from and turn subtitles and audio description on/off. Screen size can also be changed.

Schedule: ^[7] The schedule feature allows users to edit their future recordings. It is also fully searchable.

Find and Record:^[8] The find and record feature allows users to search the next 7 days worth of TV programs by searching with a key word in the title of the programs and/or the description of the program. Find and record also lets users set manual recordings using the channel, date and time that you wish to record.

Manuals:^[9] PlayTV displays an on-screen manual. This acts as a quick reference to the various functions of a controller, Blu-ray remote control and remote play using a PSP.

Settings and other features:^[10]

- Turn Subtitles on / off

- Turn Audio Description on / off

- Set whether you would like live TV to always be recorded or just when paused for trick mode.

- Screen Size settings

- Game play recordings on / off (See below)

- Parental Lock

- HDD Size: The PlayStation 3 has been available in 20GB, 40GB, 60GB and 80GB sizes since its launch. Currently only 40GB is available in Europe. Users are able to change the internal drive for a larger third party model or add additional storage via a USB drive.

- Codecs: PlayTV supports MPEG2 SD and HD, AVC and MPEG4 broadcasts.

- PlayTV can be controlled using the a PlayStation controller or Blu-ray remote control.

Currently the console is unable to record TV whilst simultaneously playing a game on it. Sony have stated that their engineers are currently working on adding this feature, whether this be present at release or added at a future date^[11].

[edit] Video Guide and Images

PlayTV Video http://www.eurogamer.net/tv_video.php?playlist_id=6857

PlayTV Images http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=93865

PlayTV Website http://uk.playstation.com/ps3/hardware/accessories/detail/item102429/PlayTV/

[edit] Previews

Eurogamer preview http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=93867

BBC preview http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/technology/2008/02/ps3_takes_on_slingbox_and_wins.html

CNET preview http://crave.cnet.co.uk/gamesgear/0,39029441,49296846-1,00.htm

[edit] Release

The device is expected to launch in Europe in July - September 2008^[12]. PlayTV will initially launch in the UK, France,Italy, Germany and Spain with more countries to follow. ^[13]

[edit] References

[edit] External links