PlayTV priced and dated, but not really

by Jem Alexander { Apr 21st 2008 at 6:15PM }

Amazon.co.uk has caused some confusion today when it listed a release date and price for the Digital TV recording peripheral, PlayTV. With a date of July 31st and a price of £59.99, it was looking like a good deal for UK PS3 owners. Until Sony refused to confirm both details and Amazon pulled all the information on their site, that is. Instead, the release date is now set for October and there's not a price in sight. Weird.

We're sure you're as excited as us about PlayTV, so we'll be sure to keep you up to date with any developments.

[Via Eurogamer]

Tags: europe, playtv, sony, uk

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Chris @ Apr 21st 2008 6:19PM

Should have ordered it. Don't they normally guarantee you the cheapest price - whether it increases or decreases when it is updated?

tomas_sharp @ Apr 21st 2008 7:40PM

I did, but i read somewhere all pre-orders were withdrawn so whether or not ill get it at that price is a mystery. However it's still showin up in my orders at the original price so i guess ill just have to wait and see.

Stephen @ Apr 21st 2008 6:57PM

october sounds about right, the word for the NZ version is that it will be released before the Olympics as that will be all broadcast in HD on our freeview

jahd5000 @ Apr 21st 2008 7:58PM

dam why isnt it coming to US? ok i knwo about the TV signal thing and channel boraadcasting and the whole complex thing, but, isnt it possible at least to use the ps3 for recording a TV channel or something like that, that would be enaugh for me!

Ed @ Apr 21st 2008 9:26PM

Seriously. If PlayTV came here, I'd never have a reason to switch inputs on my TV. Come on, sony!

aMIGA_dUDE @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:55AM

It using DVB-T as platform. In USA they using ATSC. This is a bit like PAL and NTSC.

The advantages of DVB-T
1) DVB-T has a better error correction then ATSC
2) DVB-T can have transmitters work at higher power out then ATSC. So this signal can recived longer distance. This only because of error correction.
3) Rugged topography is not such a big issue for DVB-T. Case in point NZ. They did trials with ATSC but was up to the job.

DVB-T is used in about 100 countries around the world. ATSC is being used in about 20.
I have no idea why Sony wanted to work on DVB-T first for PS£ and not ATSC.

DrunkRaba @ Apr 21st 2008 8:16PM

can't wait for this to come to the US, i'll have a reason to go pick up that 750 GB internal Hdd.

sparc @ Apr 21st 2008 9:04PM

Its not coming to US. October is too long to wait for the UK. I'm cancelling my Sky soon and want to get this. Perfect price if true. North West England will be the first to get HD Freeview in early 2009. Already have a 250GB internal.

2Perfect @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:46AM

I wish it would come to Canada :S Every place I go says it's not coming to North America because our TV service doesn't compare to Euro's TV service.

But still, I don't really care. I want it for my crappy television shows, if that's what you want to call them.

Imbro @ Apr 22nd 2008 6:21AM

The ps3 is a too power hungry to stay on standby all day. They currently run at around 150watts versus the worst pvr running at 10watts (and usually lower). This will typically increase power bills 150-200$ yearly. Not to mention it's still way too noisy. I think this will be more attractive when the 32nm cells (might) come into the ps3 late next year.

JaffaBoy @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:07AM

Last I heard, you will be able to leave ps3 turned off (standby) and playtv will turn your ps3 on, do the recording and turn it off again.

I'm assuming these delays (first March, now October) are down to issues with how will you be able to record something while playing a game?

Wayne @ Apr 22nd 2008 6:26AM

I'm waiting to buy this Sony. All you need to do is do your job and I will give you my money. Simple.

Talden @ Apr 27th 2008 6:06PM

This is the tipping point for me... If Sony can get PlayTV out in New Zealand I'll be out and getting it and a PS3 ASAP.

(If Sony were nice and added rear USB to the PS3 and bundled PS3+PlayTV then I'd be even happier)

C'mon Sony, give me some idea when it's getting here so I can build up a suitable amount of anticipation instead of frustration.