CES: PSP LocationFree TV details

Sony was on-hand at last night's Digital Experience, again focusing on LocationFree TV--highlighted during the keynote. If you're interested in turning your PSP into a portable TV/DVD/DVR player, you'll have to first cop the LocationFree base station ($349; $299 with current rebate). The base station features a NTSC tuner with RF input, 2 video inputs (1 S-video), 3D digital combo filter, Ethernet port, and IR blaster.

With v2.5 firmware (now v2.6) you can control your LocationFree TV experience with an on-screen universal remote. Users can watch hometown cable programs, and then power-on the DVD player and watch a movie from any wireless hotspot in the world. Theoretically, you could use the LocationFree technology to turn your PSP into a semi-portable monitor for your home consoles. That is, you could watch (but not control) your PS2 on the PSP's screen--you'd have to have the base station and PS2 nearby to control the game.

Until WiFi hotspots are introduced into every nook & cranny on the planet, LocationFree TV has a limited range. Still, it's a fine technology for homebodies that are serious about television. With this setup, you'll never miss a second, even during trips to the kitchen or bathroom breaks.