PlayTV: is it ever coming?

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OwenWatson

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#70781 30-Oct-2010 20:35

If not, is it worthwhile importing one, and where from?

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#397857 30-Oct-2010 21:07

I have a PlayTV hooked up to my PS3 Slim, works great.
No EPG, but it does show 'now/next' listings, and all the time slots are there (scroll across and hit record on a show called '.' but in the right time slot).

I got mine from Play.com about 10 months ago. No problems.
Does take a little while to get going (~15 seconds from PS3 Menu -> Live TV).
Turns PS3 on when needing to record, turns PS3 off again afterwards.

http://www.play.com/Games/PlayStation3/4-/3595202/Play-TV/Product.html

I'd recommend.

OwenWatson

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#397868 30-Oct-2010 21:33

Thanks. I assume there's nothing you can do about the EPG? Assuming at some future date they introduce PlayTV to NZ, will the imported device pick EPG up?

How much was freight for the PlayTV from the UK? Did Customs hit you for GST/duty?

Quoban

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#397878 30-Oct-2010 21:56

Not too sure about the update of the EPG - I assume that it would be the same unit worldwide (therefore no change to NZ) if Sony/Freeview decided to 'certify' it.

Sorry can't remember the cost of shipping from Play.com - the only reason I got it from there was because they had stock! No issues with customs.

One other side-note - I'm not sure if you are running a 'fatty' PS3 or a slim. (I have both models)
I find that after approx 15 mins, the slim's fan kicks up a notch - not 'this is really stressing the PS3' speed, but just 'humming along' speed. Whether this is just my particular unit, running the fan at this speed creates a lovely drone which is noticeable when watching TV with a lower volume. Not that annoying, just noticeable if you listen for it.
The fatty PS3, with it's bigger fan, doesn't seem to have this problem.
All of this would depend on your room, volume and listening levels.

I would also recommend grabbing a PS3 BluRay Remote - I got mine from PlayTech.

Quinny

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#398163 31-Oct-2010 19:01

Cost under $100 from Amazon UK but a friend brought over for me so my postage was UK not to here. Plugged in and needed software update which was hard to find but once done works perfect and looks great.

Jaxson

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#398326 1-Nov-2010 08:29

Yeah have a hunt back here on the forums as this was covered ages ago when the update for France etc meant this would work in NZ under the 'Other' country setting.

It's my personal opinion that the current software does not work well with 'some' 500Gb or larger hard drives in the PS3.

Apart from that though, it all works here in NZ with the exception of the EPG. Freeviews insistance on not broadcasting much EIT data (currently only now/next basically) means the EPG is of no use on the PS3. This has essentially been the sole reason for the delays in bringing this product to NZ.

Beer in mind though, the unit is essentially a single tuner device for recording purposes. It has two tuners, but one is dedicated for viewing only. This is cool if you have an older TV without an integrated freeview tuner, but pointless if you do. The other tuner is for recording, so it's only one channel at a time stuff.

Still the cheapest way to do record/view Terrestrial HD if you already have a PS3. I got mine from Game in UK and it was here in a week. There has only ever been one hardware version so any updates etc have been software only and are free to update. Can't see why any NZ future inclusion would be any different to this.

dontpanic42

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#403978 12-Nov-2010 18:12

To be honest, I never thought it would happen. But it has!!!
An official release date has been announced!!
November 25th 2010.

Check out this article on TechDay:
http://www.techday.co.nz/gameconsole/news/playtv-officially-coming-to-nz-before-months/18714/2/

Article:

Stuff's Game Junkie, Gerard Campbell, has received official word from Sony Computer Entertainment New Zealand that PlayTV will launch in New Zealand on November 25th.

In his blog, Campbell said that PlayStation's director of sales and marketing for New Zealand, David Hine, broke the news to him over the phone earlier today.

PlayTV is a Digital Video Recorder solution for the PlayStation 3 that will allow users to record digital television to their PS3 hard drives in order to watch them later at their convenience.

Few details are known at the time of writing, but Game Console understands that a press release with the official details should drop on Monday. Stay tuned.

Just checked now, and there are no new software updates for the PlayTV, but I guess there will be soon.

EDIT: Also confirmed here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/blogs/game-junkie/4339507/Play-TV-arriving-at-end-of-November

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OwenWatson

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#404020 12-Nov-2010 19:43

Many thanks for the info! Importing one was difficult as dealers seemed unwilling/unable to send to NZ.

dontpanic42

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#404039 12-Nov-2010 20:34

OwenWatson: Many thanks for the info! Importing one was difficult as dealers seemed unwilling/unable to send to NZ.

I never had any trouble importing one.
I ordered here: http://www.mymemory.co.uk/Sony-PS3-Accessories/Sony/PlayTV-%28Sony-PS3%29
It arrived in less than a week.

But none of that will matter in two weeks anyway.

Have a read of this older, more established thread if you feel like a laugh:
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=83&topicid=43876&page_no=22#404038

Hobchild

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#404068 12-Nov-2010 23:04

Go to firstgames thats where I got mine and they have stock, free shipping.

http://www.firstgames.co.nz/search/playtv

LennonNZ

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#404088 13-Nov-2010 00:21

Yes maybe they have it in stock.. but at 2 times the price in getting it from overseas including shipping better to just buy 2 of them incase 1 breaks!

the similar problem with the buying the rockband 3 mustang pro guitar.. its two times the price from mightyape than getting it from overseas!!!!

bazzer

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#404161 13-Nov-2010 10:44

So, will the EPG work? I might have to hook mine back up, it'll be a good backup to my PVR anyway.

I'll be most interested to see if an update fixes my pixelation issues when playing back/recording HD. If not, I might have to pop my 60GB back in and see if it's any better with that. If it is, that'll be a bummer, I'll have to get yet another big hard drive to put in it if I can find one that will work properly. Maybe I'll stick to 320GB, people seem to have had less problems with those.

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Hobchild

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#404241 13-Nov-2010 15:00

@LennonNZ

True, but he seemed to be having trouble importing one, it costs more sure but it's easier and a lot quicker. Plus if they do in fact get officially released in NZ I bet they'll be about the same price firstgames is charging anyway.

freitasm

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#404563 14-Nov-2010 18:39

Come back to Geekzone at midnight and look in our frontpage for more information...

That's all I am saying.

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Disrespective

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#404726 15-Nov-2010 09:23

This is interesting news. And to top it off it looks like GT5 is being released around the same time... wonder if a nice playTV+console+game bundle will become available too?

Hobchild

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#404729 15-Nov-2010 09:32

Hopefully an update is released soon so people who obtained it from elsewhere can get the full EPG.

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