PlayTV to launch in Australia Unlock free-to-air digital HD TV on PlayStation®3
Watch, record and replay TV shows on demand Turn PS3 into a High Definition digital TV tuner and video recorder

Sydney, 2 November 2009 – Sony Computer Entertainment Australia (SCE Aust.) announced today the introduction of PlayTVTM – the device that turns PlayStation®3 (PS3TM) into a Personal Video Recorder (PVR) and High Definition digital TV tuner. PlayTV will be available in Australia on 26 November at a compelling recommended retail price of $169.95 and is set to become a favourite on the gift lists in time for the festive season.

With the ability to watch, pause and record free-to-air TV, PlayTV reinforces PS3’s rightful place at the heart of the family’s home entertainment needs. With twin HD tuners, PlayTV allows you to watch one program while recording another, or even record while playing a game or enjoying a Blu-ray movie. PlayTV offers a simple solution to the Australian family’s TV needs.

“PlayTV further extends the broad entertainment credentials of PS3, and makes it a must-have item for every Australian family,” said Michael Ephraim, Managing Director of Sony Computer Entertainment Australia and New Zealand. “PS3 already provides the best High Definition gaming, Blu-ray Disc movie playback, VidZone music video streaming, video, photo album, web browsing and PlayStation®Network content. With the introduction of PlayTV’s state of the art TV tuner and PVR functionality, PS3 continues to be the best choice for the home entertainment needs of the Australian family.”

PlayTV also makes it possible to watch TV programs on the go via Remote Play on PSPTM (PlayStation®Portable) or via WiFi or 3G with Sony Ericsson’s AINO phone. Visit the new www.playstation3.com.au website to find out how to start getting more entertainment out of your PS3 console.

Feature List
PlayTV provides the sort of features you’ll only find on top of the range PVRs:
* Two High Definition TV tuners: both able to watch, pause and record TV in High Definition, as well as Standard Definition. Ability to record TV while playing games or watching a Blu-ray movie or DVD.
* Electronic Program Guide: 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 SIXAXIS controller or the Blu-ray Remote Control for PS3.
* 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 enables quick access to program information, stored TV programs and the controls to pause or record live TV. PlayTV will also determine the correct settings 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 programs remotely on the PSP, via a WiFi connection (using Remote Play feature).
* Portable viewing with Sony Ericsson AINO: Remote Play via a WiFi or 3G connection.
* It’s future-proof: PlayTV will evolve with time – with new features added and updated via PlayStation Network.

With PlayStation 3, the game is just the start. PS3 is so much more than a games console; now it’s a TV tuner and recorder as well – PlayTV is one more reason why PS3 kick starts the home entertainment experience in the living room.

Not only that, but there were reports earlier this week on Gamespot AU that stated a firmware update for UK versions of the device have enabled some of the extra digital channels not previously available to Aussie importers of the product.

Which all seems to point towards the notion that it might actually happen. So, the next question is, how many of you will buy one?

[Playstation 3 and Gamespot - Thanks Mark]

Cheaper, Tinier
PS3 Slim grows stronger
In all but Linux

Matte finish looks great
Hard drive still removable
Actual buttons

Sony will sell lots
Especially with iView
VOD as well

…And I’m spent. Among other things discussed, Sony reckon that PlayTV is still on track to launch in Australia this year. I kept trying to get more out of them, but they weren’t going to spill. But considering the PS3 Slim is launching on September 3 and the PSP GO! is due for an October 1 launch, I’ve got my fingers crossed for a November release for the Playstation DVR.

The new PlayTV device will feature twin HD tuners and an EPG, and will connect to your PS3 via one of the USB ports, using your console’s hard drive to record TV shows. According to the Stuart Kennedy article, it’ll cost under $200.

It’s been a long time coming, but in all honesty, it’s better to have waited for an HD version rather than just tolerating an SD version. Not that there’s a hell of a lot of solid HD programming at the moment on FTA that isn’t sport, but it’s still nice to know that the product shouldn’t be obsolete in a few months.

[The Australian]

For a start, we’re not getting the 160GB PS3. Considering we’re only just getting the 80GB model next week, this doesn’t come as a complete surprise, especially considering Sony’s willingness to let users swap in their own hard drives. But having a higher-end model might have been nice for hardcore gamers, especially if we see the same Rock Band 2 features appear on Playstation (and we actually get Rock Band 1 or 2 at some point, I guess).

The new PSP-3000 drops on October 16 for $299.95, and the wireless keyboard peripheral will land by the end of the year for an undisclosed sum.But perhaps the most interesting aspect of the press release is the mention that both PlayTV and the new VidZone service are scheduled to launch in Oz in the first half of 2009. That goes against what Sony told us a few months ago in regard to PlayTV, but at least they’re still committed to launching the product over here at all. Who knows, when they do get around to launching it, we may see it bundled with a 160GB PS3 anyway – even 80GB isn’t going to go very far for a HD PVR, so the move would make sense.

Press release junkies, here you go:

New PlayStation® Line-up Delivers More Innovation, More Compelling Content and More Entertainment
Second half line-up delivers an abundance of fun and technological innovation for all types of entertainment seekers
Sydney, 21 August 2008 – Sony Computer Entertainment Australia (SCE Aust.) today announced one of its biggest upcoming software and hardware line-ups to date, showcasing the results of the company’s continued commitment to innovation and diversification of the interactive entertainment industry.

During the second half of 2008 and into 2009, a plethora of unique new hardware and software innovations will be introduced on its leading entertainment platforms; PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable), PlayStation®2 (PS2™), PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) and PLAYSTATION®Network. Software highlights range from a groundbreaking new PS3™ title that utilises the PLAYSTATION®Eye to create a virtual pet in your living room, to the continued expansion of the bestselling SingStar® franchise, with never before featured artists including Queen and Michael Jackson arriving on PS3, plus a guaranteed family favourite, SingStar® Singalong With Disney, set to arrive on PlayStation 2.

Innovative hardware arriving in time for Christmas includes a new PSP™ model offering unrivalled portable picture quality, plus a Wireless Keypad for PS3, set to complement the recently announced 80GB model launching in Australia on 28th August 2008. SCE Aust. also confirmed it is committed to bringing to Australia, during the first half of 2009, the highly anticipated PlayTV, which allows you to watch, pause and record free-to-air TV when connected to a PS3.

“News of the upcoming 80GB PS3 has been welcomed by both consumers and retailers,” said Michael Ephraim, Managing Director SCE Aust. and New Zealand. “The games recently announced at the Games Convention in Leipzig only go to strengthen the appeal of the PS3. We expect our current 350,000 install base to continue to grow significantly when the new model launches at the end of August, with consumers keen to not only enjoy some of our exclusive gaming titles, but also step into a world of Blu-ray movies and high definition entertainment.”

Innovative New Hardware

The new PSP handheld entertainment system, PSP-3000, features an advanced LCD screen supporting higher image quality and will be available in Australia from 16th October 2008. In addition to offering the functionality and ergonomics of the Slim and Lite model, the quality of the screen has been advanced to offer crisper colours with more definition when used outside in natural light, plus a built-in microphone has been incorporated. The PSP-3000 will be sold standalone for a recommended retail price of $299.95.

SCE Aust. confirmed it will not be introducing the limited edition 160GB PS3 announced by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe at the 2008 Games Convention Developers Conference (GCDC) held in Leipzig, Germany. However, the new Wireless Keypad peripheral for PS3 will be launched in Australia before the end of the year. The Bluetooth® enabled accessory is designed to fit precisely into the unique shape of SIXAXIS™ and DUALSHOCK®3 wireless controllers, allowing users to enjoy text chat communication more easily and comfortably in their hands. In addition to the keypad for text input, a Touch Pad Button enables PS3 users to use the entire surface of the keypad as a touch pad, allowing them to easily manoeuvre the pointer while web browsing, simply by sliding their finger on the keypad surface. Also, two shortcut buttons, a Communication Button and a Message Box Button, are placed on the lower part of the Wireless Keypad, enabling users to jump to pre-set features on XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) such as “Friends” and “Message Box” during game play, which help users to easily communicate with each other.

Leading Software Line-up

From now until Christmas, a host of flagship titles only available on PS3 are set to be released, utilising the capacity of the Blu-ray Disc™ format and connectivity of PLAYSTATION Network that no other platform can offer. From the eagerly anticipated sequels of the two top selling PS3 titles to date; first person shooter Resistance 2™ and brutal off-road racing romp, MotorStorm® Pacific Rift, to the unique world of Sackboy in LittleBigPlanet™ – a game that so defies convention that it’s been given it its own genre: creative gaming.

The SingStar franchise also continues to go from strength to strength, with new PlayStation 2 and PS3 titles arriving before Christmas. PlayStation 2 will add SingStar Singalong With Disney to its catalogue of hits, while on PS3, SingStar® Vol. 3 Party Edition will be released in the lead up to Christmas. New downloadable song packs from SingStore™ will also be launched by the end of the year, beginning with two from the ever popular Queen. SCE Aust. also confirmed that one of its other leading social gaming franchises, Buzz!™, will expand its offering on PSP, with new title, Buzz!™: Brain Bender, set to hit shelves before Christmas.

Coming to PS3 in 2009 is EyePet, developed by the studio that created SingStar and EyeToy™. Using PLAYSTATION Eye, EyePet creates a loveable, simian-like pet that lives in your living room and is captured second by second on your TV. Working in ‘Augmented Reality’, EyePet is fully aware of people in the room and will interact with both you and its environment. Also hitting Australian shores next year is the highly anticipated new Quantic Dream title, Heavy Rain™. An industry first, this interactive thriller uses the power of PS3 to let you control, rather than just watch, the story.

As part of its ongoing commitment since launch to continually enhance the value of the console, SCE. Aust confirmed that a new music video streaming service for PS3, courtesy of leading online music channel VidZone, will be arriving in Australia in early 2009. The service will appear on the XMB and allow users to stream their favourite videos on PS3 free of charge or download them to a mobile phone for a small fee.

Now recordings will not be transferable between systems, and HD recording has been nixed for the moment, too (but presumably coming back after launch). So what’s left to look forward to with PlayTV? The PS3 combined with the PSP will still allow streaming of PlayTV signals/content. Not bad, but not enough to justify replacing my current DVR, either. [Eurogamer]

They also stated that we’ll be seeing it roughly a month after the Europe market gets it. So if the latest Amazon listing of October 31 in the UK is correct, that means the hottest gaming peripheral for Christmas this year could actually be a PVR attachment for the PS3.

But can Sony do such things legally? According to their producer Mark Bunting, it’s fair game:

We’ve talked to our legal department about it. All we’re doing is moving it out of PlayTV and to the cross-media bar as if it was any other recording. So hopefully users won’t do stuff they shouldn’t do with it…If I’m prohibited from getting the recording off and storing it somewhere else because some other dude is making money out of selling it, then I’d rather they brought the law in to catch those people.

Hallelujah! Someone ring a bell so Sony gets its wings. [eurogamer via kotaku]

You can rewind and pause TV, record two shows at once (but none while you’re actually playing games on it), and stream live TV to your PSP, all from the little box that receives digital terrestrial signals. It’s true that this can record a HD signal, but most of us in the States watch our HDTV via our cable or satellite, which this doesn’t work with. We’ll see what Sony plans to do to address that before they bring PlayTV here.

AU: Bugger the states, in Australia most of us still get TV from free-to-air networks. And with Seven, 10 and soon Nine all having dedicated HD channels with fresh content, this is so looking like it will get released here soon. I reckon we’ll see it bundled with a 160GB hard drive PS3, maybe?

[BBC]