Sony to add TiVo capabilities to the PS3 in 2008?
What's next as Sony continues to add features to the PS3?
(Credit: Sony)GameSpot UK is running an article that's based on an interview with Warwick Light, Sony Computer Entertainment New Zealand's head of marketing. The article appeared in New Zealand's The Press under the headline "The Future According to Sony."
What's interesting about the article is that Light uses terms such as "future proof," "true next-generation machine," "scope for scalability," "home entertainment system," and "super computer," to describe the PS3. He also goes on to talk about the flexibility of the machine, noting how "We (Sony) can transform the PS3 capabilities so as to meet people's changing entertainment needs" and he comments on how Home, Sony's upcoming community-based virtual world, has "enormous potential to sell PS3s." Lastly, he remarks that next year--in New Zealand at least--"Sony hopes to release a digital tuner for the PS3, turning it into a programmable TV recorder."
Of course, Sony's plans for different regions may indeed be different, but you get the feeling that a subtle marketing shift for the console is under way. It's always been fairly clear that Sony has considered the PS3 much more than a gaming machine. So, expect to hear more of this marketing language as we head into the holiday buying season. And don't be surprised to hear the words Tivo and PS3 mentioned more often in the same sentence.
Anyone think this is a smart move for Sony? Or is it just better to stick to a pure gaming message?
Hunkered down in New York City, Executive Editor David Carnoy covers the gamut of gadgets and writes his Fully Equipped column, which carries the tag line "The electronics you lust for." He's also the author of "Knife Music," a novel. E-mail David. Follow David on Twitter. 
First, I want to say, I'm not a big fan of Blu-Ray in the HD format war (I think the more consumer-friendly HD-DVD has more going for it, in terms of interactivity and other features, even if Blu-Ray has a "theoretical" higher capacity). However, as far as the PS3 is concerned, it's a great deal when you consider the cost of other Blu-Ray players, especially right now with the five free movies offer. (Trust me, this initial comment will become pertinent to the topic as I go on.)
One big question is, how likely is it that any future digital tuner and DVR functionality will be good enough to replace my TiVo, or keep me from buying an HD TiVo or Series3 TiVo? Convergence is great in concept, but only if the various features do their jobs well, and have enough support to justify them.
What Sony needs to keep in mind, however, is that the PS3 is supposed to be primarily a gaming platform. These extra features, won't mean much if great games aren't there to run on it. As it stands, that's the main reason I haven't bought a PS3 yet (though I'm tempted to get a 60GB model before they're gone, since it still has hardware-based PS2 compatibility, unlike the new 80GB model which uses emulation; the hard drive is easy enough to upgrade yourself for less money, anyway).
Conversely (and bringing my first comment on-topic), I think Microsoft needs to start making the HD-DVD drive standard on the XBOX 360. Even though I don't own an XBOX 360 either (I currently own a PS2, Wii, and PSP), it seems to me that it has more than enough good games to justify moves similar to what Sony is now announcing and release a truly "elite" version that has the HD-DVD drive built-in (instead of just skinning them differently with pointless paint jobs and other minor upgrades), and still be at a price point lower than the PS3.
Sony needs to get themselves, and their 3rd-party developers, a swift kick in the rear to get some really great games out, and fast. Without the games, the system won't sell, regardless of how many bells and whistles they add to the console.
They'll probably put in a faster GPU, up the CPU, and fiddle with connections to get everything to fit. You'll probably end up losing more functionality than you gain. Sure, they'll slowly work everything back in, but by then they'll release a new model that can wipe your butt adding to the confusion.
First, I want to say, I'm not a big fan of Blu-Ray in the HD format war (I think the more consumer-friendly HD-DVD has more going for it, in terms of interactivity and other features, even if Blu-Ray has a "theoretical" higher capacity). However, as far as the PS3 is concerned, it's a great deal when you consider the cost of other Blu-Ray players, especially right now with the five free movies offer. (Trust me, this initial comment will become pertinent to the topic as I go on.)
One big question is, how likely is it that any future digital tuner and DVR functionality will be good enough to replace my TiVo, or keep me from buying an HD TiVo or Series3 TiVo? Convergence is great in concept, but only if the various features do their jobs well, and have enough support to justify them.
What Sony needs to keep in mind, however, is that the PS3 is supposed to be primarily a gaming platform. These extra features, won't mean much if great games aren't there to run on it. As it stands, that's the main reason I haven't bought a PS3 yet (though I'm tempted to get a 60GB model before they're gone, since it still has hardware-based PS2 compatibility, unlike the new 80GB model which uses emulation; the hard drive is easy enough to upgrade yourself for less money, anyway).
Conversely (and bringing my first comment on-topic), I think Microsoft needs to start making the HD-DVD drive standard on the XBOX 360. Even though I don't own an XBOX 360 either (I currently own a PS2, Wii, and PSP), it seems to me that it has more than enough good games to justify moves similar to what Sony is now announcing and release a truly "elite" version that has the HD-DVD drive built-in (instead of just skinning them differently with pointless paint jobs and other minor upgrades), and still be at a price point lower than the PS3.
Sony needs to get themselves, and their 3rd-party developers, a swift kick in the rear to get some really great games out, and fast. Without the games, the system won't sell, regardless of how many bells and whistles they add to the console.
They'll probably put in a faster GPU, up the CPU, and fiddle with connections to get everything to fit. You'll probably end up losing more functionality than you gain. Sure, they'll slowly work everything back in, but by then they'll release a new model that can wipe your butt adding to the confusion.
Also I have found that the PS3 is potentially a great item to put in the bedroom. It can serve as a cut-down entertainment system to which you can stream movies, sound, play games and watch your favorite (Blu-Ray) DVDs and surf the Internet. In the living room you want state of teh art, but the PS3 offers a great solution to your (or your kids) bedroom and other secondary living spaces.
One big problem with the PS3 is the fact that remote control is Bluetooth. First of all that means that you cannot operate it with a system remote control such as the LOgitech harmony.
Also it means that you ahve not got the ability currently to operate it over teh Internet. I program my SKY+ (call it teh English Tivo) via the Internet using a connected Slingplayer and it works perfectly.
Also I have found that the PS3 is potentially a great item to put in the bedroom. It can serve as a cut-down entertainment system to which you can stream movies, sound, play games and watch your favorite (Blu-Ray) DVDs and surf the Internet. In the living room you want state of teh art, but the PS3 offers a great solution to your (or your kids) bedroom and other secondary living spaces.
One big problem with the PS3 is the fact that remote control is Bluetooth. First of all that means that you cannot operate it with a system remote control such as the LOgitech harmony.
Also it means that you ahve not got the ability currently to operate it over teh Internet. I program my SKY+ (call it teh English Tivo) via the Internet using a connected Slingplayer and it works perfectly.
get me some good games to play. zing.
i guess ill be holding out on my tivo purchase
get me some good games to play. zing.
i guess ill be holding out on my tivo purchase
and your XBOX 360's but nothing will quite match up to the preformance and
bluray capabilitys of the PS3. Also if this TiVo thing happens, you get the
best TiVo that ever existed, built into the best game console that ever existed
into one big $550 dollar pack. Rock on sony!!!
and your XBOX 360's but nothing will quite match up to the preformance and
bluray capabilitys of the PS3. Also if this TiVo thing happens, you get the
best TiVo that ever existed, built into the best game console that ever existed
into one big $550 dollar pack. Rock on sony!!!
and your XBOX 360's but nothing will quite match up to the preformance and
bluray capabilitys of the PS3. Also if this TiVo thing happens, you get the
best TiVo that ever existed, built into the best game console that ever existed
into one big $550 dollar pack. Rock on sony!!!
and your XBOX 360's but nothing will quite match up to the preformance and
bluray capabilitys of the PS3. Also if this TiVo thing happens, you get the
best TiVo that ever existed, built into the best game console that ever existed
into one big $550 dollar pack. Rock on sony!!!
But recently with firmware goodies like 1080p upscaling, wi-fi connectivity for programs like TVersity (making my PS3 and PC a media server delight), the release of games like Rainbow Six Vegas (finally), the forecast of exciting new games this holiday season, Blu Ray movies, free online gaming, and now this morsel of news... I've never been happier with a system.
Who cares who wants a XBox 360 or not? I have my PS3 and I can finally say "I'm thrilled"!
But recently with firmware goodies like 1080p upscaling, wi-fi connectivity for programs like TVersity (making my PS3 and PC a media server delight), the release of games like Rainbow Six Vegas (finally), the forecast of exciting new games this holiday season, Blu Ray movies, free online gaming, and now this morsel of news... I've never been happier with a system.
Who cares who wants a XBox 360 or not? I have my PS3 and I can finally say "I'm thrilled"!
Now I am constantly utilizing my netflix blu-ray membership and downloading via the PS3 Wi-Fi connection upcoming movie trailers in full 1080p HD resolution from the PS3's Playstation Store.
I have also used it to insert CDs and have the PS3 store them in MP3 format for my listening pleasure on my surround sound and to show picture CDs, which happen to look amazing on a Hi-Def TV.
I hope that they add Tivo capabilites soon. I already have purchased a HD tuner with HD programs from DirecTv, but I find that its hard drive fills up quickly as HD media requires more space. And I now that I am not alone in buying the PS3 for use mainly playing blu-ray movies, several other couples in small community did exactly the same.
- I've already requested they do this
- by vaseleco August 2, 2007 10:22 AM PDT
- I bought my PS3 back in March 2007. I am not a gamer in any sense of the word. What drew me to the machine was the direct HDMI connections (unlike the XBOX 360 and that I have a 1080p television), the Wi-Fi, and the blu-ray player (being that blu-ray has about 70% of the hi-def market).
- Like this Reply to this comment
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Showing 1 of 2 pages (44 Comments)Now I am constantly utilizing my netflix blu-ray membership and downloading via the PS3 Wi-Fi connection upcoming movie trailers in full 1080p HD resolution from the PS3's Playstation Store.
I have also used it to insert CDs and have the PS3 store them in MP3 format for my listening pleasure on my surround sound and to show picture CDs, which happen to look amazing on a Hi-Def TV.
I hope that they add Tivo capabilites soon. I already have purchased a HD tuner with HD programs from DirecTv, but I find that its hard drive fills up quickly as HD media requires more space. And I now that I am not alone in buying the PS3 for use mainly playing blu-ray movies, several other couples in small community did exactly the same.