Sony has released the 1.21 firmware update to PlayTV, allowing it to record free to air HD channels.
PLayTV, Sony's Freeview-recording add on for the PS3, will now be able to record and play another channel simultaneously, both in high definition.
Sony has also promised better upscaling from standard definition broadcasts, meaning that if you're watching a programme in non-HD quality PlayTV will bust its little guts to polish it up before it gets to your eyeballs.
Tweaked
As part of the update, Sony says it has tweaked the interface slightly for mobile phones too, so users can watch the content more easily on a smaller screen.
The Aino is currently the only phone that supports this feature, and early reviews suggest that it doesn't quite handle remote play all that well as yet.
So if you're one of the lucky ones that went out and bought a PlayTV digital tuner for the PS3, get updating now to enjoy Strictly with just that little bit more gloss.
From the Sony PS3 Blog
Your comments (5) Click to add a new comment
shadowtd
November 6th 2009
5. @Zootopian: No, I read the full article. 'Upscaling' can't add any more 'gloss' - it's merely making the best of showing an SD broadcast on a HD TV - in effect, making it 'less awful'.
The average user reading this article hearing about the 'digital switch' and Freeview HD would think that the new update to PlayTV would enable them to watch a true HD broadcast. That isn't the case, and I would have hoped that TR would have pointed that out.
Also, it's possible to make your point without resorting to name calling. ;)
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joker
November 6th 2009
4. News? I think this update came out around 10 days ago. And it is very unexciting for UK users IMO given the lack of HD channels (and hardware compatibility as pointed out below) and therefore no multi-channel surround sound. The big reason to install this update is it is required for compatibility with PS3 system software v3.00! At least that's what it says in the README. Until I installed this update I suffered crashes upon launching PlayTV and jerks in playback. Now both issues have been fixed. Now where's our series link? :)
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zootopian
November 6th 2009
3. @shadowtd
I suggest if you wish to rant and complain about the author's accuracy, you at least pay attention first.
The comment "get updating now to enjoy Strictly with just that little bit more gloss" is actually perfectly accurate.
PlayTV has enhanced its ability to upscale SD broadcasts, so 'adding a little more gloss' has nothing with the availability of terrestrial HD broadcasts in the UK.
If you want to criticise, at least do so in a manner that doesn't make you look like a tool.
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shadowtd
November 6th 2009
2. Seriously TR? I'd hope that you'd look in to this a little bit better. Spreading press releases around without bothering to check what they mean to UK users, especially with comments like "get updating now to enjoy Strictly with just that little bit more gloss" is downright irresponsible.
Let's take this point by point:
1) There are no UK HD DVB-T broadcasts right now. Granada region starts in a month.
2) These will be the new DVB-T2 standard which the DVB-T tuner in PlayTV *will not see*. As far as I'm aware no chipset manufacturer has announced a DVB-T -> DVB-T2 firmware upgrade because it's not possible.
Play TV is only HD in countries that transmit H264 over DVB-T. The UK was not, is not and will never be one of those.
Do your homework, or stop pretending to have any credibility.
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mgillespie
November 6th 2009
1. My PlayTV is a fantastic addition. I picked mine up for £40 from Argos, and it gets regular use. Adds even more value to the already incredible value PS3. It makes it the only true all on one under the TV.
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