Play TV for Sony PS3

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Klipspringer

2385 posts

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#93738 28-Nov-2011 16:34

Hi Guys. Thinking of getting Play TV for my PS3.

However I have seen many comments about the EPG Guide not working. Also I have read that there is no series link.

Whats your experience?

Thanks

dontpanic42

1574 posts

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#551087 28-Nov-2011 17:05

Overall I really like the experience of using my PlayTV.
It provides a solid and responsive user interface, and generally feels good to use.
YMMV if you do end up buying one, but I haven't personally experienced any of the stuttering or other playback issues that other PlayTV users seem to be experiencing. Watching live TV whilst recording a different channel seems to work smoothly. On occasion I do notice that when a recording kicks in, the picture might pause slightly for a second or two, but it's not that big of a deal.

Re: EPG.
As it currently stands, TV1, TV2, Maori, U, TVNZ 7, and Trackside all have full 8-day EPG listings.
Unfortunately, TV3, FOUR, TV3 Plus1, C4, PRIME, and Stratos only have 'Now' and 'Next' EPG listings. This means usually about 4 listings ahead of the currently playing programme. Interestingly, all of the time 'slots' appear to be appropriately allocated for these channels, only they have a 'dot' as their description/title. So it appears that withholding the EPG listing data is purely bureaucratic. You have to wonder what is going through the heads of these dinosaur broadcasters sometimes!!

If I'm honest, I hardly ever watch 'live' TV any more (maybe the news). I usually just record what I want, and then watch it later WITHOUT ADS!! :)

If you have any specific questions, ask away! :)

KennyM

221 posts

Master Geek

#551108 28-Nov-2011 17:31

Hey. We brought play tv for our tv that didnt have built in freeview, and for the price of a freeview box worth the price of playtv with being able to record etc. it was good.

We upgraded our tv and no long use it, so if your interested in a second hand one. let me know.

Klipspringer

2385 posts

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#551415 29-Nov-2011 12:52

dontpanic42: Overall I really like the experience of using my PlayTV.
It provides a solid and responsive user interface, and generally feels good to use.
YMMV if you do end up buying one, but I haven't personally experienced any of the stuttering or other playback issues that other PlayTV users seem to be experiencing. Watching live TV whilst recording a different channel seems to work smoothly. On occasion I do notice that when a recording kicks in, the picture might pause slightly for a second or two, but it's not that big of a deal.

Re: EPG.
As it currently stands, TV1, TV2, Maori, U, TVNZ 7, and Trackside all have full 8-day EPG listings.
Unfortunately, TV3, FOUR, TV3 Plus1, C4, PRIME, and Stratos only have 'Now' and 'Next' EPG listings. This means usually about 4 listings ahead of the currently playing programme. Interestingly, all of the time 'slots' appear to be appropriately allocated for these channels, only they have a 'dot' as their description/title. So it appears that withholding the EPG listing data is purely bureaucratic. You have to wonder what is going through the heads of these dinosaur broadcasters sometimes!!

If I'm honest, I hardly ever watch 'live' TV any more (maybe the news). I usually just record what I want, and then watch it later WITHOUT ADS!! :)

If you have any specific questions, ask away! :)

Thanks for all the useful info.

EPG, I guess I can live with not having TV3 etc.. How does this affect series link? Will that still work if you try and series link something? We pretty used to isky, and the missis is not too tech savvy either. So really want her to find it easy to use. We pulling the plug on sky becase I just don't see the point of paying $70pm when all we atch is on freeview anyway.

My PS3 has a $160GB drive in it. I dont have anything else on it, will that do or should I look at upgrading?

As for dual tuners? I see mixed reports on this. Is it possible to record something on TV2 while watching something on TV3? Or even record both at once?

Thanks again for the info

Klipspringer

2385 posts

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#551417 29-Nov-2011 12:54

KennyM: Hey. We brought play tv for our tv that didnt have built in freeview, and for the price of a freeview box worth the price of playtv with being able to record etc. it was good.

We upgraded our tv and no long use it, so if your interested in a second hand one. let me know.

Thanks for the offer, I may just take you up on it. Also got my eye on a few on trademe. Will let u know once I have made up my mind

xpd

Geek @ Coastguard NZ
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#551418 29-Nov-2011 12:55

160GB is OK if you dont have a lot of games installed.... ideally a 500GB is better as HD recordings do take up a bit of space.
Just be careful if you want to upgrade the HDD tho, some HDD brands/models are slightly thicker than the standard PS3 one and wont fit - hunt on Goole and Im sure you'll find a list of models etc that work and fit fine.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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Jaxson

8041 posts

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#551448 29-Nov-2011 13:40

BraaiGuy: As for dual tuners? I see mixed reports on this. Is it possible to record something on TV2 while watching something on TV3? Or even record both at once?

Check the epic PlayTV threads here on GZ.

PlayTV is a twin tuner device, but not in the traditional fashion. One if for recording and one is for watching, so yes, you can record TV2 and watch TV3.

You can't record TV2 and TV3 at the same time, and that includes recording TV2 7.30 - 8.35 and then TV3 8.30 - 9.30. Specifically that over run buffer after the first show can't continue once the TV3 recording starts etc. Hopefully that makes sense.

Klipspringer

2385 posts

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#553639 4-Dec-2011 19:00

xpd: 160GB is OK if you dont have a lot of games installed.... ideally a 500GB is better as HD recordings do take up a bit of space.
Just be careful if you want to upgrade the HDD tho, some HDD brands/models are slightly thicker than the standard PS3 one and wont fit - hunt on Goole and Im sure you'll find a list of models etc that work and fit fine.

Yea. Going to be putting in a bigger drive. Thanks for the advise. Probably will go for a 500GB drive.

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Klipspringer

2385 posts

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#553640 4-Dec-2011 19:04

Jaxson:
BraaiGuy: As for dual tuners? I see mixed reports on this. Is it possible to record something on TV2 while watching something on TV3? Or even record both at once?

Check the epic PlayTV threads here on GZ.

PlayTV is a twin tuner device, but not in the traditional fashion. One if for recording and one is for watching, so yes, you can record TV2 and watch TV3.

You can't record TV2 and TV3 at the same time, and that includes recording TV2 7.30 - 8.35 and then TV3 8.30 - 9.30. Specifically that over run buffer after the first show can't continue once the TV3 recording starts etc. Hopefully that makes sense.

Thanks, sounds like its similar to our dishtv t1020, not really two tuners. But that will suit us fine.