Sony Announces "torne", TV Tuner/DVR for PS3

[Greg Tito]

Sony Announces "torne", TV Tuner/DVR for PS3

Coming in March to the Japan region only, the torne will allow you to watch and record HD TV through your PS3.

Sony announced that the torne (yes, it's in lowercase and yes that's obnoxious) will retail for ¥9,980, which is equivalent to US$108.78. After installing the TV software through a Blu-ray disc provided with the torne, you will be able to browse TV schedules and record shows in full HD video. You can then save the shows on the PS3's hard drive or a peripheral hard drive connected via USB. You will be able to play games and record video at the same time, but there is no information on how many shows you can record simultaneously (typical settop DVRs have two tuners so you can watch one show while another show is recording.)

Continuing Sony's party line on connectivity between its products, the new device has some interesting integration with a PSP or PSP Go. If you connect the PSP via USB, you can transfer recorded shows to your portable device. Doing this will automatically convert the video source to your PSP's native resolution. You can store the converted show onto a Memory Stick Duo or onto the PSP Go's internal memory. The PSP can also remotely control your DVR so you can set it to record shows when you're away from home.

With the software, you'll also be able to view the web and check stats like how many people have recorded which shows, etc. The only thing the torne can't do is wash your hands, as the kitchen sink feature apparently didn't make it in to its final feature list.

The torne will only available in Japan and there is no word on whether they'll be releasing a version for other markets. The torne is different from the PlayTV [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayTV], which is Sony's DVR addon for the European market.

Apparently, Sony hates North American TV. You heard it hear first.

Source: Andria Sang [http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/01/14/ps3_dvr_kit/]



Permalink

 

[blackshark121]

Coming in March to the Japan region only

FFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-

Is Sony afraid of profit? And isn't the PS3 region free? Why on earth would the not sell it here in the US? Or even Europe, who uses PAL like Japan?

 

[Cherry Cola]

.... I want this now!

I'm ordering it dammit

 

[Pendragon9]

No kitchen sink attachment?

FFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

But seriously, this doesn't sound like a bad idea. I bet they're only releasing it in Japan to see how it sells though. If it goes like gangbusters, chances are we'll see an American release.

 

[Nimbus]

I wonder how much an equivalent product that doesn't require a PS3 cost? I think there's a few available that do roughly the same thing: Popcorn time (or something) and Apple TV.

[EDIT] And I think America has something called Tivo? [/EDIT]

Oh well. Here in Ireland we get a TV recorder FREE with our satellite subscription, and since it is integrated into the TV guide software on the satellite box, it probably works better than this would anyway.

 

[wooty]

Pretty nifty idea there, now thats real innovation

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

I'll simply have to get a PS3 if this spreads out from just the Japan region.

 

[Treblaine]

The torne is different from the PlayTV [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayTV], which is Sony's DVR addon for the European market.

Seems pretty identical to PlayTV to me... at least in functionality. Are you just saying it is a different device (incompatible with PlayTV) or are you saying Torne (hate that name already an I'll use upper case Thank you very much)) has features or lacks features that PlayTV has?

I'm not surprised that a US version is lacking, to an outsider the US networks and airwaves rights are an absolute shambles and is a very confusing market. Japan and Europe are much smaller and stabler markets that must appeal more to Sony. Then again Sony is one of those companies where if you don't put the pressure on things then they will take their time rolling things out.

 

[Pingieking]

Damn, that is one sweet peripheral.
WHY DOES SONY HATE CANADA!?

 

[dannymc18]

Coming in March to the Japan region only

Why on earth would the not sell it here in the US? Or even Europe, who uses PAL like Japan?

Because as the article says, we already have PlayTV (and have had for quite a while now), and as you yourself pointed out, the US can't have it due to the awesomeness that is DVB.

 

[Guy32]

At first I thought "$110? F**k no." But It actually looks pretty cool. I'd buy it.

 

[Sh0ckFyre]

So they basically gave the PS3 a TV tuner? Don't you use a TV to use a PS3 in the first place?

 

[Aardvark]

I'd be excited, or at least mildly intrigued, if Australian TV wasn't as shit as our internet. Also, if the thing were coming out here.

 

[midpipps]

I would say their major problems in the us is the amount of different TV companies and their enormous amounts of different requirements for what can and cannot be done through their network. I mean look at the poor tv tuners for computers basically you are stuck to low def or what you can pick up over the air with most tv companies. I know around here you can not get just any tivo box you need one specifically from the cable company that has their firmware and such on it.

 

[Jared]

Japs always get all the nice things XD

 

[silverbullet1989]

sony not knowing how to make a profit on a product they sell?! shock bloody horror

 

[Distorted Stu]

Looks good!

 

[thenumberthirteen]

I have Play TV, and it's awesome. As far as I know the last Play TV update added HD support, and so it's ready to go when Freeview goes HD. The difference I can see is the Internet connectivity thing. Play TV has HD upscaling so if it where offeredin Europe I wouldn't upgrade.

 

[BehattedWanderer]

I will be looking into pirated/hacked versions of this (legally imported and paid for, just hacked for Engrish, please and thanks), if it never comes out of Japan. That, or pay an equal amount for the lobotomizing prices and requirements to get a recorder hooked up to my cable.

 

[tk1989]

Coming in March to the Japan region only

Why on earth would the not sell it here in the US? Or even Europe, who uses PAL like Japan?

Europe have PlayTV, and i dont think enough countries in europe actually utilise HD channels over the free-to-air networks, I know the UK doesnt yet at least...

The USA dont have a device like this because it uses NTSC/ATSC, and most of Europe has basically completed the switch over to digital tv, whilst much of the USA still uses analogue. There are also a host of licensing issues etc...