Europe feelling the love: PlayTV and PSP: GO!

[Zenien]

y has taken the wraps off a new television tuner and personal video recorder for PS3 in its Games Convention 2007 press conference.

Dubbed PlayTV, it will let you watch and record your favourite shows on your console completely independently of each other - so you can view something while saving something else. If you like.
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There they are, one big happy, telly-watching family.

You'll be able to choose programmes to keep on your hard drive by selecting them from a fancy seven-day guide, and even control it all remotely using your PSP - in case you forgot to tell it to record something before you left for work. Or you could just stream it to your PSP and watch it elsewhere.

It will use the Digital Video Broadcasting standard, and be able to intelligently display the picture in high or standard definition depending on the capabilities of your TV.

"The introduction of PlayTV really will extend the already broad entertainment credentials of PS3, and makes it an exceptionally attractive proposition for the whole family," said David Reeves, big cheese of Sony Europe.

It's so easy your ageing parents could probably use it - or so we're told, and will be available in early 2008 across the UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain.

A price is yet to be mentioned.

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=81876

PSP: GO! Brand Revealed

Sony sprinkled plenty of love on the PSP during its Games Convention 2007 conference, by introducing its new Go! Entertainment brand and announcing a 5th September release date for the Slim and Lite model.

Included in the brand will be three new non-gaming services: video downloads; voice chat, video chat and instant messaging; and a satellite navigation product that uses a new GPS accessory.

The Go! branded video download service is a joint venture with BSkyB due for release in early 2008. It will let those of you with a PSP grab a choice of programs from popular Sky channels like sports, entertainment, movies, music and animation - cartoons, silly.
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Essentially it gives you access to the sort of stuff mugs like us already pay for, either to download straight to your PSP or to your desktop first - and will all be apparently very easy to use.

But if you'd rather spend your time chatting, then Go! Messenger will be your thing. It's a joint venture with BT due out in January, and will let you chit-chat with chums using an application being provided in a future firmware upgrade.

By using a wireless broadband connection and a new on-screen keyboard you'll be able to instantly message pals, or you can plug in a headset and talk to them using voice chat. Go out and buy the PSP camera and you'll be able to leave video and voice messages - amusing ones if you take your PSP out with you when you drink.

Alternatively if getting lost is your thing, then fear not - because Go! Explore will keep you found. Sony is effectively turning your PSP into a GPS-enabled device by introducing a new receiver and providing a UMD disk loaded with up-to date 3D maps from around Europe. UK, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and Scandinavia are supported at the moment, with localised languages for each.

There's even a Car Adaptor and Car Mount accessory being bundled in. And Collaborators TeleAtlas and NavNGo will be helping Sony provide updated language support and more maps over time via the PlayStation Network.

Us Europeans will also be treated to two new limited edition PSP bundles: a black and red Spider-Man one with the Spider-Man 3 game and UMD film; and a yellow Simpsons model, with The Simpsons Game. Both will retail for EUR 199.99.

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=81886

 

[BatMatt]

no plans for a US version of the recorder for now as we don't have enough digital terrestrial television services however Harrison commented Sony would jump on it once it's more widely available

 

[The Guardian]

I JUST SAW THIS ON IGN, PRETTY AWESOME STUFF!!!up:

 

[Devil May Cry]

Nice.


BTW: Did everyone just ignore the fact that rumble is coming in October or is it not that big of a deal?

 

[BatMatt]

Nice.


BTW: Did everyone just ignore the fact that rumble is coming in October or is it not that big of a deal?

was something announced about it at GC or do you mean the rumour of it being with GT5?

 

[Electro UK]

Nice.


BTW: Did everyone just ignore the fact that rumble is coming in October or is it not that big of a deal?

We pretty much knew.

 

[KALEL114]

I like rumble.

 

[hippy fascist]

I might actually consider buying a psp now

nice to see europe getting an head start on america for a change, and what a poduct to do it with!

 

[Havok83]

Nice.


BTW: Did everyone just ignore the fact that rumble is coming in October or is it not that big of a deal?

yeah everyone pretty much knew already so this isnt news. Actually months back, there was an article saying Sept, but it was defiently returning this fall

 

[Borax]

It all depends on the price for me... I already have a DVR so if it costs more than £100 it's a no go