New PS2 Upgrade will include PVR Capabilities (a la ReplayTV)

[UNCjigga]

PS2 to Record Video

OOPS this upgrade is SEPARATE from the existing 40GB HD upgrade...

The new product enabling TV programs to be stored on a hard disk could give Sony an edge over its rival Microsoft, which is also eying the home entertainment business as an untapped source of revenue.

Fukunaga said Sony Computer Entertainment may offer tuner kits that would contain hardware to receive broadcasting signals, hard disks and software to run recording devices.

Sony may also roll out a new PlayStation2 that has a built-in tuner and other necessary functions. The upgrade will likely be first introduced in Japan, Fukunaga added.

Game console or home appliance?
Fukunaga said the product is technically near completion but there are some problems to be hammered out before it can be commercialised. For one, how to market the product without conflicting with parent Sony's own DVD recorder sales channels would be a challenge, he said.

"The game market and the audiovisual market are different, but this product could cover both," Fukunaga said.

Japan has digital, analogue, satellite and cable broadcasting and the company has not decided which signals should be received by the PlayStation machine, he said.

Sony has already powered up PlayStation2 by offering broadband kits that include an Internet navigator, an Ethernet adapter and a 40-gigabyte hard disk drive.

 

[AudiPorsche]

hurry up with linky-do

 

[UNCjigga]

Originally posted by: AudiPorsche
hurry up with linky-do

Sorry I was still gettin' my facts straight...

Looks like we'll still have to wait awhile to see this product, but I think Sony has a great idea here. Its one of those things where they can ink deals with 'content' providers across multiple media and distribution channels. Imagine, if you will, a DragonBall Z video game that is EPISODE driven. The game waits for the latest episode before taking you to the next level, and the story lines from the video game and TV show are intertwined.

I still don't know how Sony can offer this. My best guess is that they'll offer an expanded HD (perhaps 60-80gb) upgrade with broadband and a port to hook up a tuner module. So you would buy the HD upgrade (which includes all necessary software etc.) and then choose a DirecTV, HDTV or cable tv module to hook into it. Most likely they will just offer a standard CATV tuner. I think this upgrade should also allow you to share recorded video (like ReplayTV does.)

Of course, now that Sony has let the cat outta the bag you know Microsoft will counter with something. A year ago we were already hearing rumors that Xbox2 would be more of an "information appliance/hub" than a gaming machine. Prolly a Windows XP Media Center device with UltimateTV built-in! I wonder what they'll end up doing...

 

[ElFenix]

how does it compete with sony's dvd recorder?

 

[UNCjigga]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
how does it compete with sony's dvd recorder?

You know, I didn't quite understand that either!

 

[chibchakan]

Microsoft Putting PVR Functionality In Xbox.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Yes, Sony may add PVR capabilities, but I'm going to wait until the PS2 can play back my Betamax tapes.

ZV

 

[Kevin]

I thought you can record TV shows from your Playstation 2 to your Computer using some kind of Third Party Software and the Network Adapter?

UPDATE: Found it - link

 

[flavio]

Good news.