Sony announces TV tuner and recording capabilities for PS3

August 28, 2007 – Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has unveiled a TV tuner for the Playstation 3 (PS3) games console called PlayTV, which will enable European owners of the console to watch and record digital TV.

PlayTV is a twin TV tuner that is to launch early next year in the UK, France, Italy, Spain and Germany, with more countries to follow.  The announcement was made at a press conference at the Leipzig games show in Germany, making the PS3 the first games console to offer PVR capabilities.  When launched the tuner will offer console owners access to free channels delivered over digital terrestrial.

Recorded programmes will also be able to be streamed wirelessly to the PSP handheld console, or transferred permanently via a USB cable.  David Reeves, President of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), said that PlayTV will extend the “broad entertainment credentials of PS3”.  No details on pricing were given during the announcement.

Sony also used the press conference to divulge more details about a video chat and instant messaging system for the PSP, called Go!Messenger, developed in partnership with UK telecoms operator BT.  The software behind the tool will be released in January 2008, enabling users to send messages and video chat with one another.

The firm additionally revealed that a video download service for the PS3 will become available in the UK in January 2008, developed in conjunction with Sky and called Go!.