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* Technical performance improvements.
* Technical performance improvements.


==Linux==
==Linux and Windows==
The device can be used in Linux with a patch <ref name="PlayTV linux patch">{{cite web |url=http://www.spinics.net/lists/linux-media/msg01510.html |title=PlayTV Linux 2.6.28.4 patch}}</ref> or used in Windows patching the USB IDs in the driver of a compatible card (like Pinnacle PCTV Dual DVB-T Diversity Stick)
The device can be used in Linux with a patch <ref name="PlayTV linux patch">{{cite web |url=http://www.spinics.net/lists/linux-media/msg01510.html |title=PlayTV Linux 2.6.28.4 patch}}</ref> , or the V4L-DVB master development tree <ref name="V4L-DVB">{{cite web |url=http://linuxtv.org/repo/ |title=V4L-DVB master development tree}}</ref>,
It also can be used in Windows patching the USB IDs in the driver of a card with the same dibcom hardware (like Pinnacle PCTV Dual DVB-T Diversity Stick)


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 18:37, 4 March 2009

PlayTV
PlayTV on with wires connected
ManufacturerSony Computer Entertainment
TypeDigital video recorder
StorageHard disk (Via PS3)
Controller inputPlayStation controller, BD Remote or PSP system using Remote Play
ConnectivityUSB 2.0, Coaxial
This article is about the Sony PlayStation 3 accessory PlayTV. For the Brazilian youth-oriented terrestrial television network, see Play TV.

PlayTV is a twin-channel DVB-T tuner peripheral with digital video recorder (DVR) software which allows users to watch and record television programmes to the hard drive of a PlayStation 3 console for later viewing. Sony announced the device on 22 August 2007.The device was launched in the UK on the 19 September 2008.

Features

LiveTV:[2] The Live TV feature allows access to free-to-air (unencrypted) channels in the widely available DVB-T network (in the UK this is known as Freeview). Whilst using the Live TV option, live programming is cached as it is displayed, so that users can pause, rewind and fast forward through any recently-viewed material, as well as record and turn subtitles and audio description on/off. Screen size can also be changed. PlayTV allows users to watch one programme whilst recording another. Live TV also has a now and next bar enabling users to scroll through live TV and see what is on other channels and what is coming on next.

File:Scrubs PlayTV.jpg
PlayTV LiveTV Interface with US TV show Scrubs

Guide (Electronic Program Guide):[2] The software features a 7-day electronic program guide.[3] PlayTV allows users to set recordings and change channel from the Guide; also selectable is a Favourites guide which is a list of a user's favourite programmes. The Guide shows a full description of all programmes. Whilst setting recordings, users can set whether they would like to repeat the recordings daily or weekly for up to 6 times.

Library:[2] The PlayTV Library is where all the recorded content is stored. The content can be viewed in a list view or in a thumbnail view. Its also fully sortable by date, channel and name. The library is also where content can be exported to the PlayStation 3's main menu to be stored with the rest of the user's video files. Whilst playing back the recorded content, users can pause, fast forward, rewind, skip to/from and turn subtitles and audio description on/off. Screen size can also be changed.

Schedule:[2] The schedule feature allows users to edit their future recordings. It is also fully searchable.

Find and Record:[2] The find and record feature allows users to search the next 7 days worth of TV programmes by searching with a key word in the title of the programmes and/or the description of the programme. Find and record also lets users set manual recordings using the channel, date and time that you wish to record.

Mobile TV with PSP: Wi-Fi connectivity with a PlayStation Portable allows for portable viewing of live or recorded television programming. By using the Remote Play feature of the PlayStation 3, owners can use a PlayStation Portable to access their PlayStation 3 console from anywhere in the world via the Internet. The Remote Play feature has the ability to 'wake up' the PlayStation 3 from stand-by mode, allowing the user the ability to watch live TV, set recordings and watch previously recorded content anywhere in the world direct from their PlayStation 3 to their PlayStation Portable via the internet.

Manuals:[2] PlayTV displays an on-screen manual. This acts as a quick reference to the various functions of a controller, Blu-ray remote control and remote play using a PlayStation Portable.

Settings and other features:[2]

  • Turn Subtitles on / off
  • Turn Audio Description on / off
  • Set whether you would like live TV to always be recorded or just when paused for trick mode.
  • Screen Size settings
  • Game play recordings on / off (See below)
  • Parental Lock
  • HDD Size: PlayTV can only record to the PlayStation 3's own internal hard drive. Recorded video can then be transferred to an external storage device.
  • Codecs: PlayTV supports MPEG2 SD and HD. AVC/MPEG4 for SD and HD broadcasts promised for future release. (UK manual only states MPEG2 in the supported codecs under technical specs)
  • PlayTV can be controlled using a PlayStation controller or Blu-ray remote control.
  • Twin High Def (1080p) recording for countries broadcasting in high definition: Australia 1080i.

Sony has stated that PlayTV will be able to record TV whilst playing PS3 and PS1 games, the code for the function has already been incorporated in the version 2.41 firmware update.[1][4] To use the product however a 5GB install is required from the disk provided with the PlayTV device.[5]

Release

The device was launched in the UK on the 19 September 2008 with other regions in Europe to follow.[6]

It had been reported that Australia will receive the Play TV accessory 2 months after Europe. However, more recent sources suggest it will be 2009.[7][8]

On 12 September 2008, Sony released an interactive demo of PlayTV on the PlayStation store in Europe.[9]

First week shipments of Play TV in the UK were reportedly 85,000 units, apparently with "specialist and national press giving thumbs up to the device."[10]

Software Updates

Software updates are available via the About section in Settings using the "Game Update Check" Functionality

1.01 Update

The 1.01 19MB Update was released on 20 November 2008 without any official announcement from Sony or SCE.[11] Changes include:

  • The Guide now loads data much quicker than previously with all data.[11]
  • Recorded programs now contain fewer glitches.[citation needed]

1.02 Update

The 1.02 21MB Update was released on 12 January 2009. Changes include:

  • Support for Italian channel ordering.
  • Improved update process. (Adds "Software Update" to the main menu)
  • Faster populating of guide.
  • Technical performance improvements.

Linux and Windows

The device can be used in Linux with a patch [12] , or the V4L-DVB master development tree [13], It also can be used in Windows patching the USB IDs in the driver of a card with the same dibcom hardware (like Pinnacle PCTV Dual DVB-T Diversity Stick)

References

  1. ^ a b "Sony clarifies PlayTV date, price". Eurogamer. 2008-08-12. Retrieved 2008-08-12.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "PlayTV Preview". Eurogamer. 4 March, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-18. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ "PlayTV unlocks free Digital TV on PLAYSTATION 3" (Press release). Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. August 22, 2007. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ Steve O'Hear (14 February 2008). "Video: Sony's PS3 DVR, PlayTV". last100.com. Retrieved 2008-03-23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ Installation Disk provided with the PlayTV device
  6. ^ Jem Alexander (12 August 2008). "PlayTV coming September 19th, reasonably priced". ps3fanboy.com. Retrieved 2008-08-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "PlayTV for Australia but no 160gb model".
  8. ^ "Q&A: SCEE vice president Jim Ryan".
  9. ^ http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=235443
  10. ^ http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/playtv-ships-85-000-units-in-uk
  11. ^ a b "Play TV Update 1.01 Now Available". Official PlayStation Community -PlayStation.com. 2008-11-20. Retrieved 2008-11-20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ "PlayTV Linux 2.6.28.4 patch".
  13. ^ "V4L-DVB master development tree".
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