PlayTV recordings will have no restrictions, DRM or encryptions

by Jem Alexander { Feb 26th 2008 at 5:30AM }

What's better than recording your favourite telly shows onto your PS3 with PlayTV? Could it have something to do with transferring these recorded videos onto your computer without restriction? That's what Sony are promising will be possible when PlayTV launches this year. There will be no restrictions on what you can do with your vieos which, once recorded, can become just another file on your XMB and can then be copied onto an SD card or USB key for easy transfer where ever.

Not only that, but there will be not DRM or proprietary encoding on the videos, they will simple render out as high-quality MPEG-2s. This means you can watch or edit them on your computer, or even encode them for use on your PSP (slightly pointless considering PlayTV supports PSP playback via Remote Play) or iPod. As long as no-one does anything illegal with the files (like put them on a BitTorrent network) then everything's fine. Expect people to take no notice of this whatsoever and start sticking stuff online as soon as PlayTV finally gets released - which is when, again?

[Thanks Jakob]

Tags: PlayTV

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Nicholas Campbell @ Feb 26th 2008 5:46AM

Thats just crazy!

macpanda2000 @ Feb 26th 2008 6:07AM

To be honest it sounds to good to be true. If this is true than this is great for me. I will be able to encode them for my psp for work (no way to use remote play) and store them on my external and server with the other TB of tv shows. Life I said this sounds to good to be true. If true then I can't wait!

Prove me wrong sony!

macpanda2000 @ Feb 26th 2008 6:09AM

Grr I ment "Like" not "Life"

Syn @ Feb 26th 2008 6:26AM

I thought this is only in Europe?

Dahk @ Feb 26th 2008 11:08AM

Lol I believe there's nothing to dispute that fact here.

PSN: KillaKornbread (the shirt is a lie!) @ Feb 26th 2008 2:06PM

but there is else where. it is only Europe cause it uses a DVB signal we dont have here in the US. similar to the over the air digital channels we get now but they have ALOT more channels.

ClarkyCat @ Feb 26th 2008 6:46AM

I don't think PSP encoding is pointless, it's not like people are in a wifi hotspot 24/7. I thought there was talk of just exporting it to the PS3's XMB and simply copying it to the PSP from there? Well hopefully. Still, the no games while recording thing is quite the hindrance.

sibbor @ Feb 26th 2008 7:19AM

Damn, PS3 is going to rock when PlayTV, Home and in-game XMB + all the upcoming game titles is released... and this under 2008!

I so badly wants PlayTV... although, like I said before here on PS3fanboy, I would prefer if Sony would have had an expansion slot for this stuff. Too bad they didn't include an expansion slot for the PS3 upon launch. I bet we won't see it either. Just imagine plugging the PlayTV device into the PS3 - no "extra" device on the TV bench... *drool*.

Btw, if you're using Firefox. Install the extension Greasemonkey and install my PS3fanboy script from http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/23058 . I bet it'll improve your PS3fanboy experince as much it did for me :D... what does it do? I'm quoting from my description over at userscripts:

"General:
~ wider content area for viewing news, images and so on
~ cleaner look with new fonts, headers & some changed colors
~ search box moved into the header (site logotype)
- some backgrounds removed
- advertisement

Commenting:
~ larger user avatars
~ larger comment numbers
~ a bit better structure
~ negative voted comments will now be colored red, with some opacity"

Nate @ Feb 26th 2008 8:05AM

Europeans are so lucky that they don't have to deal with the same copyright BS we do over here in the US. I'd love to try out this device (though to be fair, the PSP connectivity is really all I'd use... my series 3 TiVo is pretty unbeatable from a usability standpoint - and it records HD).

Josh @ Feb 26th 2008 11:41AM

PlayTV's two tuners are also HD =D

Steve Childs @ Feb 26th 2008 4:50PM

Well, it makes a change from getting screwed over the costs of the console and games, to getting games later than the US, in shops and PSN.

Its about time us Europeans had something over rest of you! ;)

Have to say, even given what I've said on PlayTV in the past (basically its a flawed, if great idea) - its just become rather useful.

Now I've got a way to expand the list of programs I can store on my Twonky Server :D

Cool Paul @ Feb 26th 2008 9:12AM

You europeans better be copying everything under the sun and posting it on the internet for us Americans.

Any word on PlayTV in Australia and New Zealand?

Jakob @ Feb 26th 2008 9:35AM

I'll promise to send you some Danish and German shows ;)

I can't wait to get my hands on PlayTV, it supports nearly everything:
-HDTV
-MPEG2/4
-DVB-subtitles (important in Denmark/Scandinavia, crazy they even would implent it)
-PSP streaming
-Export the shows easily
-Dual HD tuners

I don't care if I have to pay £99, it's really nice.

Sora57 @ Feb 26th 2008 9:31AM

Sony "are" promising? I've seen this mistake so many times I'm wondering if it's done on purpose. S/b Sony "is" promising."

Play TV is definitely cool, but like the other guy said, I thought this was only for Europe

Popfrogs @ Feb 26th 2008 1:14PM

This is a US vs. World view on how companies are treated.

In the US, a corporation is treated as a single entity. Therefore, we refer to Sony as an it, not as a 'them'.

In Europe, corporations are referred to as a collection of people. Therefore in Europe, it's usual to refer to Sony as 'they'.

Knowing this, it is just fine for a European/British writer to say Sony are promising bla bla bla.

Sora57 @ Feb 26th 2008 1:25PM

Thanks, Popfrogs. Good to know.

jkdoug @ Feb 26th 2008 10:43AM

Won't DRM-free downloads be a detractor for potential content offerings? What studio would be overjoyed at the prospect of putting all their stuff out there only to have it spread around freely?

I know we can record shows and such now, so I guess this isn't much different from that. I'm just wondering if there will be high quality downloadable content, like with XBVM. Maybe there's just something I'm missing here.

ViagraFiend @ Feb 26th 2008 11:10AM

hmmm....so what exactly wold keep us from using this in america? What are the inputs? If its component, s video or composite, shouldnt it still work since the cable/sat decoder is what really matters in the region coding?

We MAY be able to import this...

adam @ Feb 26th 2008 11:29AM

Hmm dont basic cheap pc's already do that.I got a pc for 200 dollars that can do that and much more than a ps3.Seriously why do they keep focusing on crap like this.Forget this stupidity and release some games that are worth while.

Gears2
Xtra DLC GTA1V

atleast microsoft spends money where it matters.All you guys get is rehashed crappy shooters and mgs4 eewwww.

Carlton @ Feb 26th 2008 12:23PM

"atleast microsoft spends money where it matters."
Obviously the quality of the hardware doesn't matter then.

Besides, you do realise that you can buy a PC for less than the price of an 360 that will play Gears of War with more levels and better graphics, right?

I can only assume that the "rehashed crappy shooters" comment is intended as irony. And the implication that Gears 2 is a bigger deal than MGS4 is a pretty audacious claim.

The GTA4 DLC will be sorely missed on PS3, but I think exclusives like FF13, Tekken6, GT5, GoW3 and numerous others will more than make up for it.

Also R* have stated that they will be concentrating on PS3 development in the future, so I think it's safe to say things are looking rosy for the black behemoth.

Let the good times roll!

thinkofmeasmra @ Feb 26th 2008 1:27PM

I agree with Carlton that your dumb. You wanna talk rehashes?? Um Halo 3?? that was a rehash of the the other two pieces of crap before it with the addition of that level editor. Gears 2? Note the 2...need i say more...I could probably come up with more if 360 more games worth "rehashing."

And spending money where it matters puuuuulease. They invest their money is the worst hardware R&D as Carl pointed out, but in addition, they invest thier money in proprietary advances. You know what that means? It's an investment that only matters to them, they could care less about the customer (you). you wanna upgrade your 360's HDD? gotta buy a M$ add on...so you wanna watch HD movies on your so called "HD capable" hardware?? Oh, you gotta buy a crappy add-on. You wanna play online? you gotta pay M$. Oh you wanna make games of XBL? Oh its gotta be to M$ liking and let M$ host & manage it. Please. Your an idiot.

Lastly I find it hilarious that you tried to combat Sony's PS3 with the only 2 things you xboxers have to look forward to for the next 10 months..Gears? Really...who cares...that game was the most boring, duck-shoot-run-duck, I've ever experienced. Really, i mean blah, the novelty wore off quicker than when I played Wii for the 1st time. And your extra 3 missions that M$ spent $50 million musta been one of those expenses "that matter" /sarcasm. Really I dont know one person who has ever hit 100% completion beyond GTA 1&2. Not a single person. So really, who cares about 3 side missions noones ever gunna get to. To be honest, I dont know a single person who got past 70-80% in any of the GTA's beyond GTA1&2, so you keep thinking your cool with your three side missions you'll never play...Even if you do get to em, I bet they suck...like you "buy out" the competion M$ style.

Difference between Sony and MS is Sony spends their money wisely, not on crappy consoles that melt, and cause the company to NEVER turn a profit in the division. I find it hilarious after a year of selling ps3's at a loss and being in the red, sony's game division is back up and in the black, where as m$'s game division is still seeing red. Sounds like MS spend thier money on things that dont matter afterall...

mojojojo1 @ Feb 26th 2008 1:36PM

LOL,who cares about extra content?only thing that matters is MGS4....as for Gears2?I can wait till it ends up to pc,like 99.9% of xbox games.You are sad tho.

John McPoop @ Feb 26th 2008 10:24PM

@Adam

Didn't I dispose of your retarded ass a few days ago? i figured you would have run away with your tail between your legs when I owned your arse on XB360Fanboy. Anyway, why would someone who "hates" Sony as much as you claim come here and post some crap like that?? I think you secretly want a PS3... Did you get my link about Sony letting Take Two and Rockstar out of the GTA IV timed exclusive in exchange for LA Noire being a PS3 exclusive?? You know the one you called me a liar on before you spewed more fanboy rhetoric...

Calel @ Feb 26th 2008 11:38AM

We need this in North america!

jkdoug>> I don't think you have to worry about content providers being up in arms about this device. Its TV, plain and simple, Sony isnt offering any service with podcast type episodes of shows, its just whatever you have on the telly. They may be annoyed because its Sony, but smaller companies have been making this hardware for PCs for years.

NyghtcrawleR @ Feb 26th 2008 11:44AM

Now only the U.S. has to catch up with cable so we can use this here....

Joe @ Feb 26th 2008 12:03PM

I hope this will come out in the US soon, Because this sounds really great.

PSN: KillaKornbread (the shirt is a lie!) @ Feb 26th 2008 2:09PM

dont hold your breathe. they would have to change the entire nature of the device to use our signals.

adamevex @ Feb 26th 2008 12:17PM

I'm about to start building a HTPC so i can record my fave TV shows. If sony released this in the US then i would definitely pick one up and save myself some money.

Adam @ Feb 26th 2008 3:12PM

thinkofmeasmra:
Rehashes Of CRAPY SHOOTERS ex.KillZone

As for the other guy.Rockstar focusing on ps3 exclusives my ass.Microsoft will drop another 50 mill and your so called exclusives will come to the 360 playing and looking better than anything on ps3 its that simple.

Rockstar says omne thing and does another period.The only reason there slinging that shit is becuase they dont want you ps3 boys to not support gtaiv they want your purchases period.

So you just keep eating the diherria that sony and any developer feeds you about exclusivity.When it comes to money 360 is where its at period.We are living in a world now where brand loyalty doesnt matter to developers nor does hardware.

Whatever is selling is gonna get the games period.Its install base and whos selling games.Last i checked 360 is pushing more games than wii and ps3.

Its all about Money no company gives a flying fuck about what console you own or what you want.Its all about them making a dollar so grow the fuck up.As far as hardware issues with the 360 goes.
I would take a million dead 360's to one ps3 anyday.Until they drop games on ps3 that interest me and i cant get anywhere else then maybe i would consider buying.

When you launch a console with no in game music buddy list features "xmb" and then have the shittiest unorganized interface i have ever seen.Make me pay for a fucking headset seperatly then dont even give me component or hd cables with a 400 dollar console.Also a shitty controller with no removable battery no rumble and no option to even use aa's.Dont ever expect me to buy that fucking swill.

I could go on with all the shit ps3 lacks that the 360 doesnt.You will come back with fucking bluray bullshit that i could care less about giving them more money for shitty 30 dollar movies i can download for free and stream with my 360.And on top of that movies having nothing to do with my gaming experience.Then you will say free online and i will see "yeah it better be free with the way that shit works."

Open my $450.00 dollar elite whats inside.

hdmi cable "not in 400 dollar ps3"

Hd Component cable "not in 400 dollar ps3 "

Headset "not in 400 dollar ps3"

Rumble Controller "not in 400 dollar ps3"

120gb HDD "400 dollar ps3 had a measly 40gb"

Backwards Compatability "Not in 400 dollar ps3"

Xbox Live Free Month "this vs psn is no comparison i would pay for xbox live anyday over psn being free"

Whats not in my 360 box thats in the ps3 box

A movie player irrellevent to my gaming experience
"dont wanna hear about bluray making gaming better it doesnt"
A giant hunk of black shit that looks like a grill.

Also i dont have to install 5gb of data to play a game neither lmao yeah some future tech ehh.

hmm 5 sec load times vs 5gb of my 40gb hard drive i could use for movies arcade games etc.Ill take 5 sec load times.

Nonhippyhippy @ Feb 26th 2008 6:29PM

u actually have no life... please grow the fuck up and realise that loving a console that much is a sad waste of an exisitence... i wonder if u have ever been laid (no, the scene from mass effect doesnt count)..

enigma137 @ Feb 26th 2008 3:37PM

Wow . Now THATS a Fanboy !

Dude what is your problem ? You need to get out more

If your xbot is soooooooooo great and the ps3 is soooooooo bad, then why are you even on the site ?

Gimme a break

John McPoop @ Feb 26th 2008 10:32PM

@Adam

Should I pick apart your argument again like on X360F? Like when I posted a link abut GTA IV exclusivity and your punk ass just went away without a single word... You really need to get a life... If you hate the PS3 as much as you let on then just go troll on X360F or Joystiq about it... Going out of your way to come here and spew some bullshit just shows your a closet PS3 fanboy... Fuckin retard... You must be about 17-18 years old tops

Allan @ Feb 26th 2008 4:17PM

Does anyone know how it works, technically speaking.

I live in an area where I'd need a very strong aerial to pick up basic freeview, is playTV just a jazzy freeview box for the ps3?

Freemen @ Feb 26th 2008 4:27PM

yup basically

Kalil @ Feb 26th 2008 4:31PM

that krazy
wish they would do that here in the us

halfbaked @ Feb 26th 2008 6:58PM

Wow adam sure knows how to talk a whole lotta shit, think hes angry he went out and spent his pocket money on a big white toaster with component leads...
Anyways, does anyone know if the playtv is the same in every region its released? The freeview in the UK is mpeg2 and the freeview here in NZ is mpeg4 so i wanna know if i can import it here and it still work?? Anyone?
I think the main reasons you americans etc arent gettin it is cos theres wayy too many standards, over here theres freeview DVB-t and Sky DVB-S nothing else other than shitty analogue.
Good luck on that one tho....

Adam your moms calling you in for bed, its 7pm!

Laurens Holst @ Feb 27th 2008 6:18AM

Please, ignore the troll.

bamf @ Feb 27th 2008 6:43PM

This has been in PC's for years but how many actually use it and have it connected to their cable boxes or what ever? The PS3 sits under or besides peoples TV's so its more conveniant to use the PS3 and because it sits by your TV you will have more of an urge to use it.

Matty121 @ Apr 8th 2008 2:18PM

i want play tv so badly! it will be great! could someone please answer my question? how much memory would an hour long program, for example, take up on my PS£s harddrive? i want to know if i need to get a bigger one...thanks so much to anyone :)