Sony to Add TV Tuner, DVR to PS3

pjhenley writes "Sony has announced that they will add digital TV and DVR capabilities to the PS3 in Europe. TV can also be watched on a PSP using 'remote play' over WiFi or via downloaded recordings. 'The new box will feature two 1080p tuners, which utilize the European Digital Video Broadcasting system (DVB-T) -- which should dash any US hopes for the time being. The system will allow you to store recorded broadcasts on your PS3 drive, and also transcode and transfer the saved files to your PSP.'"

Re:I gotta say

[GeckoX]

Yes, but we're just coming into the first real release season for the PS3. Over the next year that will change. People conveniently forget just how long the 360 has already been out for, and that many xBox games were released on the 360 instead of the xbox. Sony has NEVER had a lot of games out in the first year for a new console. Those that know this know that waiting another 6 months to a year will result in likely a cheaper console purchase, and more game options...and in the meantime, thoroughly enjoying the last and best games to be released on the PS2. (End of console lifecycle games are traditionally the best on sony consoles)

Now, if there aren't lots of quality games to choose from by this time next year, there will be problems without a doubt.

Re:The reasoning

[91degrees]

There aren't actually a lot of good PVRs available in Europe. A half-assed Tivo would probably make it one of the best.

In the UK you'll need a TV license

[giafly]

Sony has announced that they will add digital TV and DVR capabilities to the PS3 in Europe

The law requires everyone, including students, to be covered by a licence if they use any device to receive television programmes as they're being shown on TV. This includes any TV set, DVD or video recorder, digital box, PC, laptop or mobile phone - TV Licensing [tvlicensing.co.uk]

I expect Slashdotters to reply along the lines of "but I won't use my PS3 to watch TV so I don't need a license". Tell it to the judge, guys, when you get prosecuted.

Re:Before anyone starts to complain

[Midnight Thunder]

We europeans pay around 700-900 USD for the PS3

Before you start complaining about the US price vs the European prices, always remember to remove the VAT from the European prices. Why can't Europeans bother to remember such a simple thing? List prices in the US do not include tax.

Fair enough, but taking the highest state sales tax [taxadmin.org] and the price of PS3 [ebgames.com] we top out at $535 USD max. This is still much cheaper than what you get in Europe.

Re:Maybe Europe is different...

[Goth Biker Babe]

Here, in the UK, we have free terrestrial digital television [1]. I get about 30 channels of TV (DVB-T PAL resolution) and 40 of audio through my antenna. In a year or so analogue will be turned off so all new TVs come with digital receivers. There are also unencrypted free channels on satellite (DVB-S PAL and HD). I'm not sure how many right now but it must be nearing 100 odd [2]

So yes this isn't useful for premium services and pay per view where the broadcaster insists on a secure path but there is an awful lot of programming out there which is free and can be recorded.

[1] http://www.freeview.co.uk/home [freeview.co.uk]
[2] http://www.astra2d.com/freesat-epg.htm [astra2d.com]

Re:Before anyone starts to complain

[iapetus]

Sales tax isn't applied until it gets to the consumer. VAT is applied at each exchange.

But can be claimed back by VAT registered companies, so it all works out the same in the end.

Re:Before anyone starts to complain

[Calinous]

VAT is a value ADDED tax - it is applied at each step, but only on the Added Value. If I buy hard drives for $100 a piece (including VAT), and sell them for $150 a piece, I pay VAT to the one from where I bought them (assume 19% VAT, I pay about $100 * 0.19/1.19 = $16), and the one who bought them from me pays $150 * 0.19/1.19 as VAT ($24). Now, the VAT I get ($24) is returned to the original seller ($16 of the $24), and the rest ($8) is the Value Added Tax I pay in the end to the state.

      Now, some times ago, before the VAT was applied, there was a Tax on Goods Distribution which was applied on every exchange - it was in the 3% range, but it added quickly from original manufacturer to the consumer.

Re:I gotta say

[kidgenius]

Gran Turismo, Metal Gear Solid, LittleBigPlanet, Killzone, Ratchet and Clank, and Haze. That's a variety of games, other than just shooters that are coming in the next year. Other than that, most of the stuff that is highly anticipated is coming out on BOTH systems (COD4, Burnout, Need for Speed), plus don't forget that Final Fantasy is huge for the Playstation.

Re:Before anyone starts to complain

[Mr_Silver]

Before you start complaining about the US price vs the European prices, always remember to remove the VAT from the European prices. Why can't Europeans bother to remember such a simple thing? List prices in the US do not include tax.

Fair point but Amazon is offering the PS3 60GB version for $499 in the USA and £399 in the UK.

Take 17.5% off £399 and you get roughly £340 which, according to xe.com, is $683.

You're looking at $680 vs $499 for exactly the same product - even without the VAT, we have every right to still complain.

Re:Before anyone starts to complain

[gravis777]

There is no VAT in the US, its Sales tax, and the reason it varies from area to area, from 0-9.75% is because its not a federal tax, but is set by the state, and in some cases the county or city will add to it. For example, large Native American areas will have 0% sales tax on items. In the area of Texas I live in, the sales tax is 8.25% (varies when I go from one city to the next, typically between 8-8.75%).

While at first, that may sound lower, the difference is that VAT is added into the sales price, Sales Tax is not. Therefore, while the unit is $699 in the store, you then add on top of that the 8.25% sales tax. This, in my area, brought the total of the PS3 to $756.67 Of course, the advertised price is $699. Very few places in the US add tax to their advertised prices, i think the exception is when advertising gasoline prices, and a few mom and pop stores.

Re:What's this about!!!

[Frenchy_2001]

We're the US, the greatest country on Earth!
Why aren't we getting it first?

I know you said that i jest, but there is a reason: Europe is much further along in its conversion to digital TV (including HDTV) and the tuner they use in a DVB-T, the european norm.
US use the ATSC norm for over the air digital broadcast and penetration is not nearly as good.

Although, on this one, your are getting f***ed quite deeply ;)

Re:Before anyone starts to complain

[Zeussy]

That is why it is called Rip-Off Britain [wikipedia.org]