PlayTV update out for PS3....

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#411934 2-Dec-2010 09:20

Cheers mate.

So add $15 and I essentially have the same hardware and software? What about future updates? Would these be free for NZ version and paid for the UK hardware?

Also do you know if EITHER of these locks 720/1080 output over component cables? NZ Freeview approved boxes only output SD over component and I have an HD TV that only has component input.

P.S. To be completely fair the $160 deal above includes shipping but honestly I'd still buy it from the Warehouse instead for support that doesn't involve sending it via the post.

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Jaxson

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#411945 2-Dec-2010 09:35

Updates to date have all been free and performed within the PlayTV software itself. Apart from the EPG add on though, which you have to pay for. I seriously believe the PlayTV developers want to keep it all standard, which is why you select your region etc, rather than loading just the NZ version etc. So yeah, I don't see any risk in purchasing non NZ gear, but hey, I could be wrong.

Can you even do component output from a PS3?! I thought it's crappy SD analogue or hdmi outputs only, but hey I could be wrong. Who knows, but if it's Freeview approved then I doubt you'll get any of the niceties like faster fast forward speed, jump forward 1min at a time, HD out via analogue component video, export the files etc. All the good stuff gets stripped once it's an approved unit.

Sorry, if $160 includes shipping then this is the obviously the best deal for sure, and good on them for doing this. For many of us they would have to do this to even begin to compete with the lower import cost option.

ahmad

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#411958 2-Dec-2010 09:45

Thanks for all the info. I'll stick with my TiVo (and SD output over component) for now.

If I get a strong HD itch I'll consider a PTV but would need to upgrade my 40Gb HDD.

bazzer

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#412005 2-Dec-2010 10:40

I don't know for sure as I don't use the component output. They definitely added some restrictions for NZ market so don't see why they wouldn't eliminate HD over component too. I don't know anyone with component for their PS3 so can't find out, sorry.

ahmad

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#412006 2-Dec-2010 10:44

What restrictions? And are these hardware restrictions that can be "bypassed" by using overseas hardware instead?

lchiu7

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#412008 2-Dec-2010 10:49

Jaxson: Updates to date have all been free and performed within the PlayTV software itself. Apart from the EPG add on though, which you have to pay for. I seriously believe the PlayTV developers want to keep it all standard, which is why you select your region etc, rather than loading just the NZ version etc. So yeah, I don't see any risk in purchasing non NZ gear, but hey, I could be wrong.

I got mine about a yea ago (I think) from MyMemory. It was about $120 landed here so a significant saving. I haven't used it much lately mainly because I need to upgrade the HD in the PS3. But I did load the latest firmware fine. I guess I will have to pay the $15 for the guide when Mediaworks and Prime are available in the EPG.

Jaxson:Can you even do component output from a PS3?! ..

I haven't tested it but I think the PS3 can do component. You need to buy the adapter for it. But the Freeview transmissions might have HDCP so it might not be possible to actually view Freeview content over component.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

Jaxson

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#412012 2-Dec-2010 11:20

ahmad: What restrictions? And are these hardware restrictions that can be "bypassed" by using overseas hardware instead?

READ some of the posts above.

The hardware is identical, it's just a little box with some digital TV tuners in it.
PlayTV is a software program you start on the PS3 that uses the tuners in this little box you attach by USB.

Any approved NZ freeview product will have restrictions, like I outlined above. The software that is PlayTV applies different settings for each different option you select under the locations setting. In NZ this now restricts the fast forward speeds and removes the 1min jump type skips etc, so you have to watch the ads essentially.

If you select other as the location you don't get a lot of these restrictions, but then a lot of things aren't entirely nice for use in NZ either, ie channels aren't in order etc. Perhaps you do get HD via component out using this setting. Not many people use component output from the PS3 so perhaps you could let us all know this.

Jaxson

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#412013 2-Dec-2010 11:22

lchiu7: I haven't used it much lately mainly because I need to upgrade the HD in the PS3.

I'd personally opt for a 320GB drive if I was you. I don't know if there was a link to the 500GB drive and the stuttering I had, but of all the people who did have the stuttering, that was the common link between us all. No one with a 320GB drive ever had this problem.

jol

56 posts

Master Geek

#412064 2-Dec-2010 13:25

Jaxson:
lchiu7: I haven't used it much lately mainly because I need to upgrade the HD in the PS3.
I'd personally opt for a 320GB drive if I was you. I don't know if there was a link to the 500GB drive and the stuttering I had, but of all the people who did have the stuttering, that was the common link between us all. No one with a 320GB drive ever had this problem.

I have just got a PlayTV (from mymemory.co.uk) and I am pretty happy with it. I was going to ask if anyone had got it working with a 500GB hard drive without stuttering as I would prefer this size than a 320GB (my original 120GB is almost full). So if anyone has got PlayTV working with a 500GB drive, I would like to hear about it.

Regarding HD over component, I have a component cable at home which I use with my PS2 so I will try using it with PlayTV tonight and report back about how that goes.

One other minor thing. I have my PS3 hooked up to my receiver via optical. On TV3, the volume of the Dolby Digital 5.1 output can be altered using the volume controls from with in PlayTV. Doesn't that mean that it is decoding and then re-encoding the Dolby Digital broadcast rather than sending the Dolby Digital bitstream directly, because that would obviously be less than ideal.

Turbocharged

83 posts

Master Geek

#412437 3-Dec-2010 11:47

I just received the latest Bond & Bond paper in the mail and they have PlayTV advertised for $159. Definitely the best deal I've seen so far.

EDIT: Noel Leeming has them advertised for $199, which seems ridiculously high compared to the competition (and quite humorous considering that Bond & Bond and Noel Leeming are owned by the same people). So for anyone looking at buying PlayTV, Bond & Bond certainly seems like the best place to go.

lchiu7

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#412446 3-Dec-2010 12:06

Turbocharged: I just received the latest Bond & Bond paper in the mail and they have PlayTV advertised for $159. Definitely the best deal I've seen so far.

EDIT: Noel Leeming has them advertised for $199, which seems ridiculously high compared to the competition (and quite humorous considering that Bond & Bond and Noel Leeming are owned by the same people). So for anyone looking at buying PlayTV, Bond & Bond certainly seems like the best place to go.

Bond & Bond is to Noel Leeming as PacknSave are to New World. One gives Fly Buys and is supposed to be a bit more up market, the other aims at a different demographic. Interestingly in Lower Hutt the two stores are next to each other!

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

Jaxson

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#412449 3-Dec-2010 12:09

lchiu7: Interestingly in Lower Hutt the two stores are next to each other!

It is like this in Palmerston North too.

wilt64

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Master Geek

#412451 3-Dec-2010 12:10

Turbocharged: I just received the latest Bond & Bond paper in the mail and they have PlayTV advertised for $159. Definitely the best deal I've seen so far.

EDIT: Noel Leeming has them advertised for $199, which seems ridiculously high compared to the competition (and quite humorous considering that Bond & Bond and Noel Leeming are owned by the same people). So for anyone looking at buying PlayTV, Bond & Bond certainly seems like the best place to go.

Freeviewshop also has PlayTV at a good price http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/playtv-ps3-c-32.html and some interesting pakage deals!!

Turbocharged

83 posts

Master Geek

#412458 3-Dec-2010 12:26

lchiu7: Interestingly in Lower Hutt the two stores are next to each other!

Jaxson: In Palmerston North like this too.

It's like that in Manukau too. They used to be opposite each other, until they decided to split the Noel Leeming store in half and put Bond & Bond right next door.

wilt64: Freeviewshop also has PlayTV at a good price http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/playtv-ps3-c-32.html and some interesting pakage deals!!

Yeah I saw that, but if I'd prefer to be able to physically walk into a store if anything was to go wrong with the product. Their bundles are a good deal however.

Hobchild

623 posts

Ultimate Geek

#412636 3-Dec-2010 20:49

jol:
Jaxson:
lchiu7: I haven't used it much lately mainly because I need to upgrade the HD in the PS3.
I'd personally opt for a 320GB drive if I was you. I don't know if there was a link to the 500GB drive and the stuttering I had, but of all the people who did have the stuttering, that was the common link between us all. No one with a 320GB drive ever had this problem.

I have just got a PlayTV (from mymemory.co.uk) and I am pretty happy with it. I was going to ask if anyone had got it working with a 500GB hard drive without stuttering as I would prefer this size than a 320GB (my original 120GB is almost full). So if anyone has got PlayTV working with a 500GB drive, I would like to hear about it.

Regarding HD over component, I have a component cable at home which I use with my PS2 so I will try using it with PlayTV tonight and report back about how that goes.

I would also recommend a 320gb as I have a 500gb and the stuttering can be almost unbearable. However for anyone with stuttering issues I find turning the live buffer off while recording can reduce the stuttering significantly.

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