PlayTV - PS3 HD tuner

Burago

Is anyone following the progress of this device coming from Sony for the PS3? It has two 1080p tuners and uses the PS3 HDD for storage, so it's upgradable. The interface looks really nice. They're saying it's only available in the UK, Germany etc. What's stopping someone cancelling their Sky sub and hooking up the dish to this little box? Is it possible to receive much FTA stuff here?

Interface videos: http://kotaku.com/gaming/clips/play-tv-on-ps3-explained-292541.php

http://threespeech.com/blog/?p=828

watty

I don't think its for satellite.
See ICDG in my sig for free satellite channels
There are NO 1080p transmissions anywhere.
USA/Japan has enchanced SD 480p and 720p and 1080i
Europe has 1080i
(Only a few HD channels on Satellite, and none on aeriel FTA yet)
Only games truely do 1080p

JohnC.

watty wrote: »

I don't think its for satellite.

It isn't. It is DTT.

Burago

What's DTT?

byte

Burago wrote: »

What's DTT?

DTT is Digital Terrestrial Television. In other words, digital TV via an aerial, as opposed to a dish or cableco.

Of course, DTT in Ireland only in trial stage, and not available nationwide.

ShaneU

I don't mind if it's satellite or DTT, if it means I can get HD channels for a one-off payment of around €150 then I'm getting it.

thirtythirty

byte wrote: »

DTT is Digital Terrestrial Television. In other words, digital TV via an aerial, as opposed to a dish or cableco.

Of course, DTT in Ireland only in trial stage, and not available nationwide.

Can it record normal cable tv? I have ntl (not digital) and it comes through a coax aerial from my wall to the tv - is that what i'd plug into the playtv box?

byte

spottyelephant wrote: »

Can it record normal cable tv? I have ntl (not digital) and it comes through a coax aerial from my wall to the tv - is that what i'd plug into the playtv box?

No, from what I can gather it's for DTT, and not any other digital format (eg Cable or Satellite). I don't think it records analogue either, though open to correction.

thirtythirty

byte wrote: »

No, from what I can gather it's for DTT, and not any other digital format (eg Cable or Satellite). I don't think it records analogue either, though open to correction.

Limiting their market there somewhat dont you think?!

Mossy Monk

ShaneU wrote: »

I don't mind if it's satellite or DTT, if it means I can get HD channels for a one-off payment of around €150 then I'm getting it.

Where can you watch HD channels freely through DTT?

Mark#1

So IIUC, this PlayTV contraption will work with Irish MPEG4 DTT?

I'm also led to believe (as a mate who works in HMV, and a guy in GAME told me) that new current PS3s have 80GB rather than 40GB HDDs.

This really is interesting.

Presumambly Sony will be aiming for an Xmas sales burst, so rumoured on-shelves dates of late September are probably realistic?


Mark

mjsmyth

Seemingly it should work with the Irish DTT. Amazon have it lasted as going on sale on Sept. 19th. I don't think Sony will be pushing this in Ireland any time soon, since we don't officially have DTT yet.

The new PS3 will indeed have an 80GB hard drive. There is also talk of a 160GB drive.

I have the 40GB version, but from what I have read online, it is a very simple exercise to swap out your drive for a larger one. I think I may pick one of the drives up on a visit to the UK, a tad risky and a possible waste of money, but someone has to take the plunge

It would be great if I could get confirmation of DTT reception in Naas though!!

mj

slegs

mjsmyth wrote: »

Seemingly it should work with the Irish DTT. Amazon have it lasted as going on sale on Sept. 19th.

The new PS3 will indeed have an 80GB hard drive. There is also talk of a 160GB drive.

I have the 40GB version, but from what I have read online, it is a very simple exercise to swap out your drive for a larger one. I think I may pick one of the drives up on a visit to the UK, a tad risky and a possible waste of money, but someone has to take the plunge

It would be great if I could get confirmation of DTT reception in Naas though!!

mj

MJ, I have DTT from Mt Leinster (Carlow) in Kildare Town. I use a high gain aerial with a masthead amplifier and signal booster with variable gain. I guess Naas should be able to pick up Mt Leinster?

mjsmyth

I have an aerial, I bought it in B&Q, it sits in my attic and gives me good reception on the 4 analogue channels, that's all i know

It points somewhat in the same direction as my sat dish (28.2/.5), maybe a few degrees more east.

I have no idea what a mast head amplifier is

mj

podgeandrodge

maybe a silly question but is there any way to use this tuner without the ps3 if you dont care about the recording capabilities? Im in france looking at it in a shop now! Eur99

podgeandrodge

can someone move this to the dtt section please.

mjsmyth

I don't think there is a way of using it without the PS3. It plugs into the USB port of the PS3 and outputs through the PS3 connection to your tv. The menu is also displayed on the TV.

mj

slegs

mjsmyth wrote: »

I have an aerial, I bought it in B&Q, it sits in my attic and gives me good reception on the 4 analogue channels, that's all i know

It points somewhat in the same direction as my sat dish (28.2/.5), maybe a few degrees more east.

I have no idea what a mast head amplifier is

mj

Sounds like you are pointing at Mt Leinster (south of Naas) as Kippure is more east of Naas. I think you will will need a suitable outdoor aerial for DTT.

See below for an example of a masthead amp

http://cgi.ebay.ie/Labgear-masthead-amplifier-booster-26db-variable-gain_W0QQitemZ310082334709QQihZ021QQcategoryZ101365QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Its called a masthead amplifier as it is placed near the aerial reception source on the mast to minimise the noise being amplified. The power to amplify is fed up the coax cable to the unit on the aerial mast.

Hope this helps

mjsmyth

@slegs
Thanks for the info.

mj

Headshot

what channels can i get with this lads in ireland

just rte and tv3 channels?

id say if you live in the uk

it be class

bbc hd, itv hd,ch4 hd,

MarkR

I actually saw this advertised in Game in limerick yesterday, which I thought was odd.

WarZoneBrother

{(-_-)}HeadShoT** wrote: »

what channels can i get with this lads in ireland

just rte and tv3 channels?

id say if you live in the uk

it be class

bbc hd, itv hd,ch4 hd,

freeview.com i think thats the list of channels for play tv..

Mossy Monk

{(-_-)}HeadShoT** wrote: »

id say if you live in the uk

it be class

bbc hd, itv hd,ch4 hd,

You would get none of those with Play TV in the UK. Play TV is terrestrial only.

watty

Here it will do the RTE PSB MUX on DTT. A few transmitters on test, service for 80% of country official next year.

It won't do any of the HD channels. Any UK freeview channels need a big mast near border or on east coast to pickup UK tv.

coylemj

Watty, are you referring exclusively to UK DTT when you say that you need a 'big mast' cause on a good day I can get BBC1 analog from Camlough on an indoor aerial in an upstairs room from my house on the southside of Dublin, obviously I'm fairly high up.

I watched Jonathan Ross last night using an indoor UHF aerial in my bedroom even though I had moved the aerial to point SW to Three Rock and had swivelled it to horizontal.

Mossy Monk

coylemj wrote: »

Watty, are you referring exclusively to UK DTT when you say that you need a 'big mast'

Yes he is. He said UK Freeview.

Mark#1

Anyone in Ireland get one yet?

I'm sure the "will" will become "does", but it'll be good to hear from someone who's in a position to confirm for fact.

There's a couple of folk over on AVForums in the UK who've got theirs up & running and seem quite pleased.


Mark

KeRbDoG

watty wrote: »

...It won't do any of the HD channels...

Surely not having the HD capability is just a software issue? ie. upgradable in the future like most DVB-T tuners no?

KTRIC

Lads and Ladies,

I have this since last week. Its a DVB tuner and nothing else. It doesn't do HD and you can't input any other video sources.

Onikage

The PSP couldn't play PS1 games when it released either, but a few firmware upgrades later and voila. HD channels were probably bumped in favour of a speedy launch.

DVB-S is sheer wishful thinking, the pics and specs were leaked long ago.

KeRbDoG

So, no support for subscription cards like you would need for the extra channels in the UK seems dumb to me. Can't see them leaving out HD for long since other EU countries have DVB-T HD channels right? Also New Zealand?

Mossy Monk

kerbdog wrote: »

So, no support for subscription cards like you would need for the extra channels in the UK seems dumb to me.

What extra channels? Setanta Sports 1? DTT in the UK is mainly free.

KeRbDoG

Mossy Monk wrote: »

What extra channels? Setanta Sports 1? DTT in the UK is mainly free.

Ah, your right, that or they are porn
What about other EU countries like France, they have sub services on dvb-t
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%A9l%C3%A9vision_Num%C3%A9rique_Terrestre

KTRIC

I'm using it as I said in my post for its only ability , a DVB-T Tuner, nothing else. ITS NOT HD, NEVER WILL BE.

slegs

Does any one know if it works for the Irish channels?

Mark#1

KTRIC wrote: »

I'm using it as I said in my post for its only ability , a DVB-T Tuner, nothing else. ITS NOT HD, NEVER WILL BE.

You seem very emphatic on that, so please forgive my lack of knowledge on this, but isn't Irish DTT broadcast via MPEG4, which was chosen over MPEG2 partly because of its ability to carry HD broadcasts?

So if Irish DTT is being received at all via this PlayTV contraption, doesn't it follow then that there is the potential that any HD broadcasts on Irish DTT will also be received?

http://www.digitaltelevision.ie/News/Minister+Ryan+announces+end+of+Digital+Terrestrial+Television+trial.htm

"As a result of the trial, Ireland will follow countries like France, Sweden, Norway and Estonia in adopting the latest digital television technology – MPEG 4 - which is capable of offering high definition services and more content. This means that Ireland will not be adopting the standard currently used in the UK. Commenting on this decision Minister Ryan said that "The new technology is a better option as it offers more scope for future expansion – more space for content, and high definition services. Furthermore, most of the UK receiver equipment tested as part of the trial did not work properly or at all on the Irish DTT network.""

Maybe I've mis-read or mis-interpreted this and other articles I've read?


Mark

Mossy Monk

slegs wrote: »

Does any one know if it works for the Irish channels?

Apparently it does.

watty

Mark#1 wrote: »

You seem very emphatic on that, so please forgive my lack of knowledge on this, but isn't Irish DTT broadcast via MPEG4, which was chosen over MPEG2 partly because of its ability to carry HD broadcasts?

So if Irish DTT is being received at all via this PlayTV contraption, doesn't it follow then that there is the potential that any HD broadcasts on Irish DTT will also be received?

HD needs x5 spectrum of SD on MPEG4. You need HD content, and Analogue switch off. Maybe even DVB-T2.

HD in UK on DTT will use DVB-T2 and MPEG4.

There is no HD plan here. The MPEG4 simply allows twice the channels as MPEG2, it's not chosen for HD.

We don't know what form Irish HD might take. But the Play-TV does not do DVB-t2. It won't work for UK HD at all and we don't know if it will work here for HD, it will work here for regular MPEG4 TV.

Since existing MPEG2 TVs with MPEG4 adaptors can't do HD and initial MPEG4 receivers probably won't have HD, it's probable that HD here may be on a separate DVB-t2 multiplex. But no-one has decided yet.

podgeandrodge

I have no knowledge of the technical issues here, but when I was in France last week, when the PlayTV was launched in french stores, they specifically stated that PlayTv was compatible with all the French HD channels.

"PlayTV est également compatible avec les chaînes TNT HD, dont la diffusion devrait débuter en octobre de cette année. Une aubaine pour ceux déjà équipés d’un tuner TNT standard qui est malheureusement incompatible avec la HD. Plus fort encore, Play TV permet d’enregistrer la TNT même en HD sur le disque dur de la console et d’accéder ainsi au Time Shifting."

"PlayTV is also compatible with TNT HD channels , whose distribution is expected to start in October this year. This is good for those that are already equipped with a DVB-T standard which is unfortunately incompatible with the HD. Stronger still, Play TV can record the same TNT in HD on the hard drive of the console and access to the Time Shifting."

Maybe their HD channels are different technically?

slegs

Mossy Monk wrote: »

Apparently it does.

Anyone actually have it working though? is there an EPG?

Mossy Monk

I had a playaround with the demo on the PSN and it does have an EPG

maxg

podgeandrodge wrote: »

"PlayTV is also compatible with TNT HD channels , whose distribution is expected to start in October this year. This is good for those that are already equipped with a DVB-T standard which is unfortunately incompatible with the HD. Stronger still, Play TV can record the same TNT in HD on the hard drive of the console and access to the Time Shifting."

Maybe their HD channels are different technically?

They are using mpeg4 dvb-t in france for HD.
In Ireland there are currently no plans for HD via DTT.
Maybe after analogue switch off if 2 to 4 additional muxes are available. In 3 or 4 years dvb-t2 should be well established and its likely they will choose dvb-t2 as transport method for new muxes.

anotherlostie

Looks like Play TV will not work with the MPEG4 encryption after all. Would they be able to upload this like the PS3 gets uploads, or is it more hardware required?


http://www.maxconsole.net/?mode=news&newsid=31972

maxg

If Playtv is not able to decompress mpeg4 its not compatible to TNT HD as mentioned above.

watty

MPEG4 is NOT encryption, but a codec.
It's not specifically HD either.

It could do SD MPEG4 and not HD MPEG4.

MPEG4 vs MPEG2 and SD Vs HD are all features of the PS3 Firmware, not the Play TV adaptor.

1) You would need to know if a poster who claims it doesn't work is using latest PS3 FW.
2) Sony can upgrade easily if for some reason it really doesn't work yet as the PS3 easily does MPEG4 and it is not a function of the PlayTV HW.
3) UK terrestrial HD likely will not work as it is DVB-T2, that is a HW feature likely not supported by PlayTV.
4) TNT also has MPEG2 and MPEG4 SD channels (Pay TV is entirely MPEG4).

STB

watty wrote: »

HD needs x5 spectrum of SD on MPEG4. You need HD content, and Analogue switch off. Maybe even DVB-T2.

Maybe for storage on a hard disk. 3 SD channels would be the equivelant of a HD Channel in terms of spectrum using Mpeg4.

watty wrote: »

There is no HD plan here. The MPEG4 simply allows twice the channels as MPEG2, it's not chosen for HD. We don't know what form Irish HD might take.

DCMNR/BT/RTE etc had a HD Channel unencrypted last year as part of the trial, using MPEG4 H264 compression.

Since existing MPEG2 TVs with MPEG4 adaptors can't do HD and initial MPEG4 receivers probably won't have HD, it's probable that HD here may be on a separate DVB-t2 multiplex. But no-one has decided yet.

ALL MPEG4 H264 DTT receivers "DO" HD once they have the MPEG 4 chip.

In Ireland there is no HD Channel at present, the transmissions are in Mpeg4 standard definition, so there is nothing to receive anyway.

There are plenty of countries in Europe also using MPEG4 that have been trialling HD also. Also Singapore and Taiwan have dedicated DVB-T MPeg4 HD channels.

I think the UK are the only country that have stated that they will be using DVB-T2 for HD content, not Ireland.

I'm sure that particular product is not singularily targeting the UK market, anyhow. To be honest unless you already have a Ps3 it seems a very expensive set top box.

Mark#1

STB wrote: »

To be honest unless you already have a Ps3 it seems a very expensive set top box.

Or are planning to buy a PS3 anyway...


Mark

podgeandrodge

have come across a few articles stating that playtv does not support mpeg4.

http://forums.maxconsole.net/showthread.php?p=1033244

and culabula who has one has said

culabula wrote: »

Regretfully, no. I am using it to record and view Freeview. It is my understanding that it will not work on MPEG-4 as evidenced by other users in Poland, Latvia, Estonia. However the presence of the Irish-language interface is not only nice but augurs well for an eventual firmware update.

anyone confirm?

watty

It's the PS3 that needs to support the MPEG4, as the USB module doesn't do any decoding.

watty

STB wrote: »

M


ALL MPEG4 H264 DTT receivers "DO" HD once they have the MPEG 4 chip.

HD needs anot just an MPEG4 chip, but one that can do 1080i. Not all can. It's possible to make an SD only MPEG4 receiver. There will be cheap non-HD MPEG4 receivers for DTT.

Also A SCART / S-Video/Composite won't do HD, you need Component (obsolete US system) or HDMI outputs for HD.

The converter Modules (CAM included or not) can't do HD, as the they convert the MPEG4 to MPEG2 and the CI can't manage the required peak 45Mbps approx.

anotherlostie

I can confirm that the PS3/ Play TV does not give you access to the Irish channels. I unfortunately ordered one, having cancelled my Smart Vision TV subscription a few weeks before the original trial ended and I learned all about MPEG2 and MPEG4, and ordered from Amazon via a mate in UK and the order was shipped before the topics about it started to appear. It does not even give sound which my TV does.

Off to learn about Amazon returns policy goes I...