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Sony Europe aware of PlayTV crashing issue, working on fix
A Sony Europe representative has informed Joystiq that the company is aware of a current issue with PlayTV, the HDTV DVR add-on for PS3 available in the region. Users have reported encountering a system-crashing bug after applying the most recent premium update to the device. "We are aware that since the latest PlayTV update, certain issues have arisen," a company representative told Joystiq. "We are working to fix these and hope to have a solution very shortly." A Joystiq tipster suggests the issue can be fixed by reinstalling PlayTV, though doing so will erase all data, including the paid update. [Thanks, Antony D.]
PS3's Torne digital TV tuner / DVR adapter gets 2.00 software update next month
Japan hasn't had a lot of time to get used to the PlayStation 3's Torne digital TV tuner since it launched in March, but it's already getting an update which will add a few more DVR features to improve the experience. Coming in June, v2.00 will enable MPEG-4 AVC compression to squeeze HDTV recordings by as much as 3x their original size as opposed to just copying the original MPEG-2 stream even while playing a game, plus the ability to start watching a program and fast forward/reverse while it's still recording and update the user's PSN status. The free update will be issued in June, until then Torne fans can argue with European and Australian PlayTV owners about whether or not their new features are better than Facebook integration while the U.S. sits out like the ginger kid of a previous marriage it is. %Gallery-93375%
Poll: Do you actually want to watch TV via your game console?
We've just about gotten our head around game consoles being HD video delivery boxes, whether its downloads from the Xbox Live Video (or should we call it Zune) Marketplace or PSN, or Blu-ray discs slipping into our IR receiver-less PlayStation 3, but is anyone really ready to make the jump to watching live HDTV through a console? That's not necessarily possible yet even through the current PlayTV implementation in the UK or the yet to launch BSkyB / Xbox 360 tie-up, but one has to wonder if the desire for such products is out there, so we're putting the question to you.%Poll-30645%
Sony PlayTV already working (a little) in New Zealand
How close is Sony's PlayTV DVR to working with New Zealand broadcasts? Very, or so it would seem, one reader wrote in to let us know the UK PlayTV unit he brought down to NZ in '08 has, since the 2.10 firmware update, put its DVB-T compatibility to work and started picking up some broadcasts. So far he's able to catch TV3 in 1080i and AC3 surround and even pause and buffer video, but no program scheduling support. On the other 7 Freeview channels? Video, but no audio so far. Sony hasn't documented any New Zealand compatibility in its upgrades, but at least judging by one users experience everything is being "worked in" in good time.[Thanks, Jim]
PlayTV upgraded with upscaling, more DVR features
The PlayTV add-on for PlayStation 3 may be delayed in Auckland, but if it's already grabbing OTA TV for your system the latest software update brings some much needed new features to the table. Among the new additions, upscaling should bring a sharper picture to HDTVs everywhere, and a new XMB option that takes you direct to TV watching should streamline things appreciably. Hit up Joystiq for a quick video explaining all the changes or better yet, get that PS3 online and grab the update.
PlayTV's NZ debut purportedly delayed to add Freeview HD support
Bret? Present. Jemaine? Present. Murray? Present. PlayTV? ... Sony's PlayTV DVR add-on for the PlayStation 3 suffered through more than one delay before going on sale in Europe, and it appears thing will be no different in New Zealand, but at least with good reason - they're getting HD working this time. As it stands, the original version's dual HD DVB-T tuners are pretty useless since there aren't any Freeview stations broadcasting in that format in the UK and FreeSat HD support is still up in the air. David Hine from Sony revealed on the ButtonMasher podcast that a push back 'til the end of the year is related to the spread of high definition on the island, so that they can "work in" HD support before it launches, unleashing Remote Play and XMB powered HDTV watching upon the populace so they can catch season two of Flight of the Conchords as it was meant to be seen.
PlayTV ships 85,000 units in the UK
The PS3 is an excellent entertainment hub, and adding the freeview box and recorder known as PlayTV only leverages the PS3's profile. Since the initial sale of PlayTV in the UK over 9,000 Britons have pre-ordered the service, while 85,000 units have been shipped.Again, that's only numbers for the UK. Continental Europe won't be getting the service until December. Can this interest seen in Britain spread eastward to the rest of the continent? Will it bomb; will the response be better? These are question we're interested in seeing answers to.
Sony's PlayTV DVR for PlayStation 3 gets unboxed
Time flies when you're having fun, but not when you're waiting anxiously for a new piece of kit -- particularly one that has been delayed numerous times. For Europeans waiting on pins and needles for the release of the PlayTV DVR for PlayStation 3, your time has arrived. Before rushing out to get one, however, might we interest you a short unboxing and a brief overview? No pressure whatsoever, though.
SCEE President dates PlayTV for the UK
Eurogamer has learned from Sony Europe's David Reeves that PlayTV will debut in the UK on September 10th, with the rest of Europe getting the add-on "from September to December," while Australia and New Zealand will be joining in on the DVR fun in January or February. No word on pricing though, but Reeves previously stated the price would €99. Even more exciting for Europeans, Aussies, and New Zealanders is that the digital video recorder add-on will allow users to record TV while simultaneously engaging in a game. Apparently there were some technical obstacles they had to overcome to achieve this, so kudos to Sony for that. Reeves states that the firmware needed for PlayTV was already included in update 2.41, "so in theory if your PS3 is up to date you're all set for the 10th September launch." Of course, North Americans who use the ATSC digital standard will never see this, since PlayTV is a DVB-T tuner. We'd say if anything, this should bring some relieve to our PAL regions friends who are currently missing out on the PS Store video service. [Thanks, jimb!]
Sony's PlayTV set for July release, UK pre-order now available
For those of you lucky, lucky folks in Europe (or the UK, more specifically), it looks like your wait for the PlayTV rollout is coming to a close. According to Amazon's British wing, you can now pre-order the PlayStation 3 add-on for £59.99 ($120) with an expected release on July 31st. Over here we'll just continue to twiddle our thumbs, watch paint dry, and check out our Blu-ray version of The Song Remains the Same... again[Thanks, Mighty Zoltar]
Still confused about PlayTV? Watch this video
There's been a lot of talk about PlayTV, but until now that's all been words. ThreeSpeech have released the above video to show you, with actual pictures and everything, how exactly PlayTV will work. It's all very simple and straight forward. PlayTV's release date is still shrouded in mystery, though Play.com did leak a possible date and price (March 28th for £99) this has now disappeared. No doubt there will be a significant marketing push when the system is nearing its release. We're just hoping to get our hands on it as soon as possible.
