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Poll: Do you actually want to watch TV via your game console?

by Richard Lawler posted May 30th 2009 at 12:00PM


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.

Do you want to watch live HDTV through a video game console?

Sony PlayTV already working (a little) in New Zealand

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 24th 2009 at 1:32AM

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

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 6th 2009 at 1:32PM


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

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 3rd 2009 at 10:43AM


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.

Sony's PlayTV DVR for PlayStation 3 gets unboxed

by Darren Murph posted Aug 20th 2008 at 2:07PM


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.




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