PS3 gets a digital tuner

PS3 News | In 2008.

In a recent interview with New Zealand rag The Press, Sony Computer Entertainment's kiwi marketing boss Warwick Light let it slip that the computing giant was looking to have a digital tuner for the PlayStation 3 on store shelves in 2008.

"We're also hoping next year – about the same time that Freeview launches its terrestrial broadcasting service [sometime in March] – to release a digital tuner for the PS3, turning it into a programmable TV recorder," claimed Light. Is there anything Sony's black box won't do?

According to Light, no, there isn't. "A lot of people think that the PS3 is just a games machine. It's not a games machine. Well, it is, but it isn't. It's a future-proofed super computer."

Light also banged on about how great it was that the PS3 supported Blu-ray, taking a token shot at Microsoft in the process. "DVD is current generation. Why would you support current generation?"

Right then. As a final point of interest, the article also states that the PS3 has sold 9019 units in New Zealand since launch.

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17 Comments

Nev

4 years ago

Quote

It's not a games machine. Well, it is, but it isn't.

Glad someone cleared that up.

admeister

4 years ago

Cool, I'd be interested in hearing the pricing for this. Not a lot of use though, what's the advantage of being able to watch TV through your PS3? Sure there's the recording which is semi useful, but it's not like you can take your recordings off the console.

Eyce

4 years ago

Nev wrote

Quote

It's not a games machine. Well, it is, but it isn't.

Glad someone cleared that up.

I think that's who they actually quoted in the Interview.

dc0079

4 years ago

This is a function that is actually useful, with the HDD and network capability, but what happens if we play game at the same time?

Newbie

4 years ago

Great idea imo. Wonder if MS will do the same.

Quote

It's a future-proofed super computer.

LoL @ Super computer
LoL @ Future proofed - show me one future proof piece of computer technology.

ObsoletE

4 years ago

Newbie wrote

show me one future proof piece of computer technology.

Nev

4 years ago

Eyce wrote

I think that's who they actually quoted in the Interview.

Shu' up or somefin' or nufin'!

In all seriousness, I'd probably find a use for this, since I haven't yet splashed out on a set-top box, and my TV's out of inputs already.

The only reason I still have my DVD player hooked up is because it can play DivX.

critter2003

4 years ago

Does anyone know more about what this "freeview terrestrial broadcasting" service is? Because it sounds like this device could turn the PS3 into TiVo and that' something I'm definitely interested in.

Also any ideas on where the hardware would plug in? Via USB or is there an expansion bay like the PS2 had that I've not yet discovered.

Edit: Just did some searching and just seems to be the main free to air digital TV service in New Zealand, starting next year.

genxevo

4 years ago

i don't think tv tuner is too useful since some tv's have them inbuilt, and more will as time passes.. but having the choice is pretty cool..

using PS3 as a PVR is very attractive..

lets just hope you don't need the TV tuner to record TV on the ps3 and they find a way to do one without the other

john_solids

4 years ago

thats great i need a pvr i have the hdtv with tuner then the dvd recorder but it needs digital its to fuzzy atm but yeh i would deffinetly buy one plus a larger hdd

Jim Dash

4 years ago

Considering my LCD doesn't have a built-in Digital tuner it's very appealing to me, considering it'll be great to put the Shiny 'thing' (it is, but it isn't, remember?) to good use.

How much though? If they try and charge something stupid..
And will it actually be a software update or some actual new hardware?

john_solids

4 years ago

i'd say it would be hardware. and most likely a usb tv tuner like the ones for the computers.