Currently Playstation 3 uses can only watch videos via the ones stored in its hard drive. That all will change later this year.

Sony is close to finishing development of their PS3 addon; PlayTV, which allows users to watch and record digital tv.

The addon is a small black box which connects to a USB port on the machine. It has an aerial port in (and a pass through port) to pick up digital terrestrial signals.

Reviwers are currently impressed by the simple and easy user interface design. Such so, many are actually calling for the PS3’s PlayTV addon to be used as a main freeview system for home owners.

PlayTV allows users to record, pause and rewind live TV. PlayTV even has a dual tuner so you can record one channel while watching another. One small criticism however is that you cannot record live TV while playing a Playstation game. The software developers stress that they are working to create this feature for the launch. If it has not been created by then, a software update could be added in the future. (For a full list of PlayTV’s features - Please skip to the end of this article)

PlayTV’s positives doesn’t stop there! The addon includes a feature that allows those lucky PS3 owners with a PSP to watch TV via their PSP from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. The feature which allows this has been named RemotePlay. Obviously picture quality may be lost, but users can simply increase the buffering on a certain channel to improve sharpness.

PlayTV's features include:

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

Tags : Digital Television : PlayStation 3 : PlayTV : Sony

Comments

By: ManicGamer On: 10:35 Feb 14th, 2008 Offline	I was looking into this a while back... I don't know if I want this or Xbox's IPTV service... but it doesn't sound like this would cost anything after it is purchased... I guess it depends on the box's cost for me.

By: Corrine On: 10:29 Feb 17th, 2008 Offline	Another feature that is useless to the people who don't have a PS3 and who won't want one. Bring me more games. :lol:

By: EvilxBunny On: 11:01 Feb 17th, 2008 Offline	sheesh corrine.. your so simple! its a DVR, a Blue Ray, and a Game Console... it hasnt a decent library, and more games to come. If theres anything in the world i dislike.. its close-minded gamers.

By: Evren On: 05:54 Feb 18th, 2008 Online	I like games. I dont like the TV stuff. Good games. plz. Yes? Im with corrine all the way on this.