PlayTV

Infobox Video game system
title = PlayTV



caption =
manufacturer = Sony Computer Entertainment
family =
type = Digital video recorder
generation =
lifespan =
discontinued =
CPU =
GPU =
media =
storage = Hard disk (Via PS3)
controllers = PlayStation controller or BD Remote
connectivity = USB 2.0, Coaxial
online service =
release date = vgrelease|EU=September-December 2008 (UK: 19 September 2008)cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=212119 |title=Sony clarifies PlayTV date, price |publisher=Eurogamer |date=2008-08-12 |accessdate=2008-08-12] |AUS=January-February 2009
units sold =
units shipped =
compatibility =
predecessor =
successor =

PlayTV is a twin-channel DVB-T tuner peripheral with digital video recorder (DVR) software which allows users to watch and record television programmes to the hard drive of a PlayStation 3 console for later viewing. Sony announced the device on 22 August 2007.The device was launched in the UK on the 19 September 2008.

Features

LiveTV:cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=93867 |title=PlayTV Preview |publisher=Eurogamer |date=4 March, 2008 |accessdate=2008-07-18] The Live TV feature allows access to free-to-air (unencrypted) channels in the widely available DVB-T network (in the UK this is known as Freeview). 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. PlayTV allows users to watch one programme whilst recording another. Live TV also has a now and next bar enabling users to scroll through live TV and see what is on other channels and what is coming on next.

Guide (Electronic Program Guide):The software features a 7-day electronic program guide.cite press release |title=PlayTV unlocks free Digital TV on PLAYSTATION 3 |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment Europe |date=August 22, 2007 |url=http://www.scee.presscentre.com/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4413&NewsAreaID=2 ] PlayTV allows users to set recordings and change channel from the Guide; also selectable is a Favourites guide which is a list of a user's favourite programmes. The Guide shows a full description of all programmes. Whilst setting recordings, users can set whether they would like to repeat the recordings daily or weekly for up to 6 times.

Library: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:The schedule feature allows users to edit their future recordings. It is also fully searchable.

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

Mobile TV with PSP:Wi-Fi connectivity with a PlayStation Portable allows for portable viewing of live or recorded television programming. By using the Remote Play feature of the PlayStation 3, owners can use a PlayStation Portable to access their PlayStation 3 console from anywhere in the world via the Internet. The Remote Play feature 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 PlayStation 3 to their PlayStation Portable via the internet.

Manuals: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 PlayStation Portable.

Settings and other features:

* 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: PlayTV can only record to the PlayStation 3's own internal hard drive. Recorded video can then be transferred to an external storage device.
* Codecs: PlayTV supports MPEG2 SD and HD, and AVC/MPEG4 broadcasts. (UK manual only states MPEG2 in the supported codecs under technical specs)
* PlayTV can be controlled using the a PlayStation controller or Blu-ray remote control.
* Twin High Def (1080p) recording for countries broadcasting in high definition: Australia 1080i.

Sony has stated that PlayTV will be able to record TV whilst playing PS3 and PS1 games, the code for the function has already been incorporated in the version 2.41 firmware update. [cite web
url=http://www.last100.com/2008/02/14/video-sonys-ps3-dvr-playtv/ |title=Video: Sony’s PS3 DVR, PlayTV |accessdate=2008-03-23 |date=14 February 2008 |author=Steve O'Hear |publisher=last100.com] To use the product however a 5GB install is required from the disk provided with the PlayTV device [Installation Disk provided with the PlayTV device] .

Release

The device was launched in the UK on the 19 September 2008 with other regions in Europe to follow. [cite web
url=http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/08/12/playtv-coming-september-29th-reasonably-priced/ |title=PlayTV coming September 19th, reasonably priced |accessdate=2008-08-12 |date=12 August 2008 |author=Jem Alexander |publisher=ps3fanboy.com]

It has been reported that Australia will receive the Play TV accessory only 2 months after Europe. Currently earmarked for Q4 2008 [cite web |url=http://www.itwire.com/content/view/20184/532/ |title=PlayTV for Australia but no 160gb model]

Because North American markets, including the United States, Canada, and Mexico will be using the ATSC digital standard (and the latter two are currently early in their digital transition), it is unlikely they will see the PlayTV device because of compatibility issues.

On 12 September 2008, Sony released an interactive demo of PlayTV on the PlayStation store in Europe [http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=235443] .

First week shipments of Play TV in the UK were reportedly 85,000 units, apparently with "specialist and national press giving thumbs up to the device" [http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/playtv-ships-85-000-units-in-uk,]

References

External links

* [http://www.playtvps3.com Official PlayTV Website]
* [http://www.playtv.me/ PlayTV Help]