Sony PS3 PlayTV Review

Sony’s long-awaited PlayTV PVR bolt-on for the PS3 promises to finally turn the console into a genuine multimedia hub.

The PlayTV is a sizable, rather ugly twin tuner-equipped adapter. It’s designed to let you watch and record Freeview channels using your console.

Sporting an aerial input and a single red LED, it connects to the console via a mini USB lead. It can be reasonably well controlled using the PS3 Sixaxis controller but if you have the PS3 Blu Ray remote you can use that with the button overlay provided.

An installation disc is included and the rotating main menu is a slick sight to behold as is the 7 day EPG (both are presented in HD) which displays a grid of channels alongside programme information. This can be used to schedule recordings of both TV and radio channels as as can the manual timer.

Sadly the unit lacks Series Linking, but at least its possible to play a PS3 game or Blu Ray disc while still recording TV.

The recorded image is automatically upscaled (up to 1080i) depending on the resolution you’ve set your PS3 to and we had no complaints viewing all but the most poorly compressed channels.

You can stream live TV and recordings via wi-fi to your PSP using Remote Play with OK results.

Overall the PlayTV add on is an okay setup, turning the PS3 in to an average PVR.

Available now for £59.99 at play.com

Some Related Posts...

• The japanese Nintendo Wii Manual
• UK Wii on the Cheap
• Nintendo Wii Low Down
• UK Playstation 3 Pre-orders Open
• Xbox 360 Logitech Harmony remote

Tags: playstation, ps3, sony