Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
#playtv #playtvps3 #ps3tv #tvps3
PlayTV
PlayTV tuner
PlayTV tuner device
The Live TV feature of PlayTV provides access to free-to-air (unencrypted) channels through the DVB-T network. Users are able to pause, rewind, and fast forward through any recently viewed material, as well as record and toggle subtitles and audio descriptions. PlayTV allows users to watch one program while recording another. The Live TV feature includes a "now" and "next" bar that enables users to scroll through live TV and see what is on other channels and what will be coming up next. The live programming is cached as it is displayed.
Guide (Electronic Programme Guide)[3]
All recorded content is stored in the PlayTV Library, which offers a list or thumbnail view and is sortable by date, channel, or name. Content in the library can be exported to the PlayStation 3's main menu and stored alongside the user's other video files. During playback of recorded content, users have the ability to pause, fast forward, rewind, skip, and turn subtitles and audio descriptions on or off. The screen size can also be adjusted.
Library[3]
The PlayTV Library is where all of the recorded content is stored. Content can be viewed in a ListView or a thumbnail view. It is sortable by date, channel, and name. Content in the library can also be exported to the PlayStation 3's main menu and stored with the rest of the user's video files.
Find and Record[3]
The Find and Record feature allows users to search the next seven days worth of TV programmes. Find and Record lets users set manual recordings using the channel, date, and time.
Mobile TV with PSP
Wi-Fi connectivity with a PlayStation Portable allows for portable viewing of live or recorded television programming. By using the Remote Play feature of the PlayStation 3, owners can use a PlayStation Portable to access their PlayStation 3 console via the internet. The Remote Play feature also has the ability to 'wake up' the PlayStation 3 from standby mode.
The Sony Ericsson Aino mobile phone can link up to a PlayStation 3 and uses Remote Play which allows users to watch PlayTV on their phone.[4]
Manuals[3]
PlayTV can display an on-screen manual. The manual can be used as a quick reference to the various functions of a controller, Blu-ray remote control, and Remote Play using a PlayStation Portable.
Settings and other features[3]
Turn Subtitles on and off
Turn Audio Description on and off
Set whether you would like live TV to always be recorded or only when paused for trick mode.
Screen Size settings
Gameplay recordings on and off (See below)
Parental Lock
HDD Size: PlayTV can only record to the PlayStation 3's own internal hard drive. Recorded videos can then be transferred to an external storage device in some regions.
Codecs: PlayTV supports MPEG2 SD. AVC/MPEG4 is available with the latest PS3 firmware update. (UK manual only states MPEG2 in the supported codecs under technical specs)
Twin DVB-T tuners (one dedicated to recording, the other to live viewing). Tuners are HDTV capable in areas with HD DVB-T broadcasts.
PlayTV can be controlled using a PlayStation controller or Blu-ray remote control.
Antenna input only. No antenna output.
Sony previously stated that PlayTV would be able to record TV while playing PS3 and PS1 games, the code for the function has already been incorporated in the version 2.41 firmware update.[1][5] To use the product however a 5GB install is required from the disc provided with the PlayTV device.[6]
Sony has stated that PlayTV is incompatible with the UK Freeview HD, as it uses the DVB-T2 standard.[7]
Release
On 12 September 2008, Sony released an interactive demo of PlayTV on the PlayStation Store in Europe.[8] The device was launched in the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain and France on 19 September 2008 with other regions in Europe following.[9] First week shipments of PlayTV in the UK were reportedly 85,000 units, apparently with "specialist and national press giving thumbs up to the device."
Australia and New Zealand[11] were originally to receive the PlayTV accessory 2 months after Europe but it was delayed until 26 November 2009 in Australia along with an HD software update.[citation needed] In New Zealand the device was pushed back further to a release date of 25 November 2010.[2] [12] The update underwent testing in both countries due to the wide availability of HD channels and use of common broadcast codecs (MPEG 2/MPEG 4).[13]
PlayTV is only capable of tuning DVB-T broadcasts, so is not available in regions which do not use DVB-T. A similar accessory known as Torne was made available in March 2010 in Japan, for use with their ISDB-T broadcast system. There were seemingly never plans to release PlayTV or a similar device for use with North American NTSC/ATSC broadcasts, though the PlayStation Vue OTT streaming service was available through PS3 consoles prior to its shutdown in January 2020, and carried local channels in certain areas.
#playtv #playtvps3 #ps3tv #tvps3
PlayTV
PlayTV tuner
PlayTV tuner device
The Live TV feature of PlayTV provides access to free-to-air (unencrypted) channels through the DVB-T network. Users are able to pause, rewind, and fast forward through any recently viewed material, as well as record and toggle subtitles and audio descriptions. PlayTV allows users to watch one program while recording another. The Live TV feature includes a "now" and "next" bar that enables users to scroll through live TV and see what is on other channels and what will be coming up next. The live programming is cached as it is displayed.
Guide (Electronic Programme Guide)[3]
All recorded content is stored in the PlayTV Library, which offers a list or thumbnail view and is sortable by date, channel, or name. Content in the library can be exported to the PlayStation 3's main menu and stored alongside the user's other video files. During playback of recorded content, users have the ability to pause, fast forward, rewind, skip, and turn subtitles and audio descriptions on or off. The screen size can also be adjusted.
Library[3]
The PlayTV Library is where all of the recorded content is stored. Content can be viewed in a ListView or a thumbnail view. It is sortable by date, channel, and name. Content in the library can also be exported to the PlayStation 3's main menu and stored with the rest of the user's video files.
Find and Record[3]
The Find and Record feature allows users to search the next seven days worth of TV programmes. Find and Record lets users set manual recordings using the channel, date, and time.
Mobile TV with PSP
Wi-Fi connectivity with a PlayStation Portable allows for portable viewing of live or recorded television programming. By using the Remote Play feature of the PlayStation 3, owners can use a PlayStation Portable to access their PlayStation 3 console via the internet. The Remote Play feature also has the ability to 'wake up' the PlayStation 3 from standby mode.
The Sony Ericsson Aino mobile phone can link up to a PlayStation 3 and uses Remote Play which allows users to watch PlayTV on their phone.[4]
Manuals[3]
PlayTV can display an on-screen manual. The manual can be used as a quick reference to the various functions of a controller, Blu-ray remote control, and Remote Play using a PlayStation Portable.
Settings and other features[3]
Turn Subtitles on and off
Turn Audio Description on and off
Set whether you would like live TV to always be recorded or only when paused for trick mode.
Screen Size settings
Gameplay recordings on and off (See below)
Parental Lock
HDD Size: PlayTV can only record to the PlayStation 3's own internal hard drive. Recorded videos can then be transferred to an external storage device in some regions.
Codecs: PlayTV supports MPEG2 SD. AVC/MPEG4 is available with the latest PS3 firmware update. (UK manual only states MPEG2 in the supported codecs under technical specs)
Twin DVB-T tuners (one dedicated to recording, the other to live viewing). Tuners are HDTV capable in areas with HD DVB-T broadcasts.
PlayTV can be controlled using a PlayStation controller or Blu-ray remote control.
Antenna input only. No antenna output.
Sony previously stated that PlayTV would be able to record TV while playing PS3 and PS1 games, the code for the function has already been incorporated in the version 2.41 firmware update.[1][5] To use the product however a 5GB install is required from the disc provided with the PlayTV device.[6]
Sony has stated that PlayTV is incompatible with the UK Freeview HD, as it uses the DVB-T2 standard.[7]
Release
On 12 September 2008, Sony released an interactive demo of PlayTV on the PlayStation Store in Europe.[8] The device was launched in the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain and France on 19 September 2008 with other regions in Europe following.[9] First week shipments of PlayTV in the UK were reportedly 85,000 units, apparently with "specialist and national press giving thumbs up to the device."
Australia and New Zealand[11] were originally to receive the PlayTV accessory 2 months after Europe but it was delayed until 26 November 2009 in Australia along with an HD software update.[citation needed] In New Zealand the device was pushed back further to a release date of 25 November 2010.[2] [12] The update underwent testing in both countries due to the wide availability of HD channels and use of common broadcast codecs (MPEG 2/MPEG 4).[13]
PlayTV is only capable of tuning DVB-T broadcasts, so is not available in regions which do not use DVB-T. A similar accessory known as Torne was made available in March 2010 in Japan, for use with their ISDB-T broadcast system. There were seemingly never plans to release PlayTV or a similar device for use with North American NTSC/ATSC broadcasts, though the PlayStation Vue OTT streaming service was available through PS3 consoles prior to its shutdown in January 2020, and carried local channels in certain areas.
