Qtv launches console IPTV platform on the PlayStation.... 2

In one of the more unexpected developments from NAB 2009, Qtv is pushing its streaming media player platform for consoles. Not an altogether radical idea we know, but what's different here is a plan to launch first on the PlayStation 2 and move to newer hardware later. From the makers of the Qcast technology behind the GameShark Media Player, Qtv includes YouTube and access to streaming video from other sources, plus pictures, music and video (DivX, h.264, XviD & more) from USB devices or networked computers. The PS2 may not be the first HD set-top box we thought of, it does have the highest installed base. The Qtv player launches later this year and will be available on Mac and PC as well for "less than $50," although thanks to the free 30-day trial the hardest part may be remembering where we left our PS2s.

[absinthe party @ Apr 21st 2009 7:30AM]

Does GameShark Media Player = THE Gameshark?

I knew you'd be back... I just knew it.

[superhobo @ Apr 21st 2009 7:39AM]

omg

[MowDownJoe @ Apr 21st 2009 7:32AM]

Sony's feeling a little stupid for removing backwards compatibility, aren't they?

[Dave Chappelle @ Apr 21st 2009 7:42AM]

@MowDownJoe

"a plan to launch first on the PlayStation 2 and move to newer hardware later"

nope.
I am no expert but i suppose Sony is actually really happy they have got this free on their consoles.

[IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII (BarCODE) @ Apr 21st 2009 11:59PM]

I am glad I picked up a 60GB while I still could.

[kevin @ Apr 21st 2009 7:36AM]

After the news of Sony cutting the price of the PS2 to $100, shouldn't this be seen as good news?

[Steve @ Apr 21st 2009 7:49AM]

Can the PS2 output HD? Thought it was only scart and coaxial, but I dunno...

[anantha92 @ Apr 21st 2009 8:21AM]

Yes it can, Gran turismo 4 had support for 1080i output.

[Jon @ Apr 21st 2009 8:17AM]

Let the PS2 die already ... Lets keep moving Fwd . Stop trying to make old crap new

[Romequez @ Apr 21st 2009 7:25PM]

Yes, let's try to make new crap old.

[Massmass @ Apr 21st 2009 2:51PM]

Wait, I thought that was what this generation, across the board, was all about?!

Did I miss the originality memo again?

[Michael @ Apr 21st 2009 4:21PM]

Yes, we could deal with artificially limited hardware and failed promises to give us what we want, or we could use what we already have as something that's perfectly usable with the technology of today, opening up its true potential and allowing more individuals that can't afford or can't justify the expense of newer hardware. Really, if it sells more consoles for Sony, I don't think they're going to complain. They're making money from it, whereas the PS3 is giant money pit of blackness.

[htd @ Apr 21st 2009 8:32AM]

the ps2 cpu can barely support good bitrate divx, using those homebrew player, I doubt this one can be too much better

[chefgon_ign @ Apr 21st 2009 8:54AM]

If they can code efficiently enough to make it work on the PS2 hardware, then this is a great idea. I keep saying that if Netflix really wants to get onto TVs through game consoles, they should release a disc for the PS2. EVERYBODY has one. I know dozens of people who don't play any video games at all but still have a PS2 somewhere in their house, just because it was a universal household appliance for the first half of this decade.

Of course, the problem is that a lot of those are the older versions of the system that didn't have Ethernet ports on them, so those would be pretty worthless for any kind of media streaming, but I think there's still a fair amount of newer systems out there, too. Besides, if you want to push people into buying a standalone box to stream your media, the $99 PS2 is an easier sell than some $300 proprietary player.

[John Stracke @ Apr 21st 2009 9:40AM]

But there is a $99 Netflix player, the Roku.

I just bought a Samsung Blu-Ray player with Netflix support, but I'd probably buy this, too, for the YouTube. If it did Web browsing, too, I'd definitely get it.

[DarkJesus @ Apr 21st 2009 9:32AM]

I'd imagine the playstation 2 wouldn't have the highest installed user base any more, since most people would have it put away in some closet.

[Joe Anstine @ Apr 21st 2009 9:53AM]

this would've been ten times cooler to me about 2 years ago, when I actually used my PS2. But now I have a good excuse to get it back out. awesome

[G33K3D uP @ Apr 21st 2009 10:04AM]

Once you go HD, there's no lookin' back! Enough said...

[kj @ Apr 21st 2009 10:09AM]

Will this work on my launch PS3?

[Tim Brown @ Apr 21st 2009 11:15AM]

Only if you have the original US 60Gb version. That had the hardware support. Anything else is up in the air.

[Airik @ Apr 21st 2009 12:10PM]

The original 20gb has the same hardware support as the original BC 60gb.

[Nova @ Apr 21st 2009 11:46AM]

This product existed from BroadQ Qcast years ago (4+). It was a horrible implementation but it did divx and mp3 streaming from a PC to the playstation 2. I'm sure this is just a reboot with better support for different formats and the glitches worked out.

[Albert Valera @ Apr 21st 2009 1:56PM]

@nova

It wasnt that bad..

i used it alot i liked that it was cross platfom and it supported even those pesky mkv's that its so many standalone players had trouble using it... heck i'd probly still be using it now if not for having a broken ps2 lol

[sscorpio00 @ Apr 22nd 2009 12:32AM]

I was in the original beta for Qcast and I still have my original disk around somewhere. For the time the product was sweet, but the disks were placed in my closet never to come out again when I got a modded Xbox and installed XBMP (original name of XBMC).

Now days, just go to Gamestop and pick up a used Xbox for $50 and softmod it and install XBMC, you'll have a much more powerful system that will play more media without issue.

[Richard Teran @ Apr 21st 2009 3:42PM]

This is already being done on the ps3 and 360. Check out tversity.

[pwned88 @ Apr 21st 2009 8:14PM]

tversity sucks on the 360, its useless. i just built a rando box and installed the win7 beta, media center works better + is waaay sexier.

[paulm64 @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:43PM]

Well? Where is it? It was supposed to be released in the fall of 2008. It's now summer 2009. I think it's dead. I tried to sign up at there website. No response. I've emailed them. No response. I think this thing is dead!