Sony PSP 1-SEG digital TV tuner hands-on

Just launched in Japan, Sony's got high hopes for its 1-SEG digital TV tuner -- and with over seven million Japanese PSPs now capable of viewing high quality video over the air (complete with EPG), we can't blame Sony for it's optimism. The only way you'll get one of these, though, is if you pack your sorry self up and move on overseas -- or find a way to set up a pirate 1-SEG cell, anyway. It'll might just be worth it though, the whole mobile TV experience we saw on this tuner was pretty smooth, with near-instant channel changes and that slick guide, to boot.

Gallery: Sony PSP 1-SEG digital TV tuner hands-on

• 
• 
• 

[Derry Quinn @ Sep 21st 2007 8:32PM]

First

[E71 @ Sep 22nd 2007 12:05AM]

Great, more crap to have hanging out of my PSP.

[apple fanboy @ Sep 21st 2007 8:38PM]

soǝpıʌ ǝqnʇnoʎ ɥɔʇɐʍ puɐ ǝuoɥdı uɐ ʎnq ʇsnɾ" sʎɐs ʎoquɐɟ ǝlddɐ

[merlin @ Sep 21st 2007 9:05PM]

apple fanboy, how do you do upside down text?

[fischju @ Sep 21st 2007 9:27PM]

He is obviously a channer, like more apple fanboys

[SKI @ Sep 21st 2007 10:52PM]

http://www.revfad.com/flip.html

This is the easiest way, but there are more complicated stupid ways if you wanted.

ɹǝdsoɹd puɐ ƃuol ǝʌıl

[SKI @ Sep 21st 2007 10:53PM]

http://www.revfad.com/flip.html

This is the easiest way, but there are more complicated stupid ways if you wanted.

ɹǝdsoɹd puɐ ƃuol ǝʌıl

[bl0nde @ Sep 22nd 2007 6:42AM]

I hope this catches on, like, never

[chris @ Sep 22nd 2007 8:43AM]

omg h4x0r
ɹ0x4ɥ ƃɯo

[Andrew @ Sep 22nd 2007 2:43PM]

WTF I thought it was Russian or something.

[fischju @ Sep 21st 2007 8:42PM]

such an iphone ripoff!!!1!!!

[Temple @ Sep 21st 2007 11:04PM]

except i-Seg isn't downloadable video like the iPhone/iPod.

1-seg is a terrestrial digital broadcast. In the case of the US, imagine watching NBC/CBS/FOX/etc with your PSP with digitally clear broadcast for FREE.

This is something that iPods can't do. Unless you bother to pay for everything you watch on network TV (except NBC that is in the case of iPod/iPhone).

[Temple @ Sep 21st 2007 11:06PM]

I forgot to mention, 1-seg is also available for the Nintendo DS (as well as pretty much every Cell phone in Japan, as well as Navigation systems).

Seriously, its pretty amazing watching crystal clear TV on your cell phone for free.

[fischju @ Sep 21st 2007 11:06PM]

Haven't been reading comments much, have you?

[Temple @ Sep 22nd 2007 12:00AM]

>>Haven't been reading comments much, have you?

You mean, instead of actually watching real TV just watch YouTube videos?

¿ʎuunɟ ǝq oʇ ʇdɯǝʇʇɐ uɐ sıɥʇ sɐʍ

Regardless, of cheesy jokes the real 1-seg technology is really cool.

[fischju @ Sep 22nd 2007 12:07AM]

No, I was obviously making a stab at engadget for calling everything an iPhone ripoff/clone

[Temple @ Sep 22nd 2007 12:52AM]

To be fair to Engadget, half the shit they point out to be rip-offs are really rip-offs.

This 1-seg PSP really isn't.

[nAffie @ Sep 21st 2007 9:04PM]

Would be cool if you also can record tv programs on your memory stick...

(homebrew anyone? :P)

[Enki @ Sep 21st 2007 9:06PM]

Sega did this waaaaaay back with the game gear. I'm not impressed sony. Even if it is a digital signal.

[dj-kenpo @ Sep 21st 2007 9:53PM]

I remember desperately wanting that when I was 12... I never got it either... but sega cd filled the whole in my heart later on... oh sega... sigh

[Brian @ Sep 21st 2007 10:00PM]

This would be awesome, in the states...

if there was any SDTV OTA broadcast worth watching.

I'm not interested in Judge Judy and Jerry Springer.

[baz.karim @ Sep 21st 2007 10:22PM]

Why does this exist? Sony needs to make a real PSP and not try to suck more money our of people by making the slim one. This TV Tuner thing is a joke--it's a game system..make games.

Karim Baz

[Kevin Gann @ Sep 21st 2007 11:34PM]

Um, I thought this was only compatible with the Slim and Lite? Then, why are 7 million PSPs 1-seg ready? I know the slim is selling well, but it's not selling that well.

[industrialspy @ Sep 22nd 2007 12:32AM]

um - how much is it? that would be pretty basic info to get. unless they're not saying.

1-seg is standard portable digital tv in japan. i guess it's not impressive cause it's just a necessary thing. people in japan take trains all the time. many play psp's. now they can also watch digital tv. do you really expect ever product always to be revolutionary or ground breaking?

[Jamesology @ Sep 22nd 2007 1:46AM]

@ baz.karim

Oh pls. How would you know that there isn't any good games for the PSP. You don't even own one. Crappy games for the PSP is old school bragging right for DS fanboys. Now, the PSP has very good games. Monster Hunter Freedom 2, Jeanne D'arc, Metal Gear Ops has pretty much got enough to own most of the DS games. I have the R4 for my DSLite and have all the games that ever came out for the DS and the games in "my" opinion are worth buying is Trauma Center, Glory Days 2, Club House Games, and Brain Age 2. Though can't wait for that horror game to come out, I forgot the name but I think it's dimensia or something... ooh can't wait!

[Willen @ Sep 22nd 2007 5:44AM]

I can already watch live TV on my PSP... with my LocationFree TV box.

[Twitchy @ Sep 22nd 2007 7:45AM]

That may be nice for you - but how much of the country is covered by free WiFi which allows you to use that vs. digital TV coverage? Plus WiFi eats the battery faster than a hungry fat kid free donuts.

[Constable Odo @ Sep 22nd 2007 10:37AM]

Clunky, but could be useful if it doesn't suck the life out of the battery. I guess it won't be in the U.S. so I needn't ask the price.

[kev @ Sep 22nd 2007 10:50AM]

Does the truth hurt Engadget? Thanks for removing my comment. Again, the only reason the PSP is more successful in Japan now is because all the otaku are going to crowd around a console that has their fake falling in love with 2D character games. Go to Japan and take a walk around Akihabara or Nipponbashi. It's got that aura, and you know it.

[Colin @ Sep 22nd 2007 12:14PM]

According to SONY's product page:

http://www.jp.playstation.com/support/qa-690.html
This is ONLY compatible with the PSP 2000 series.

It is 7000 YEN or about $60 USD.