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Sony Japan intros PS3 DVR, digital tuner

New "Torne" add-on to launch in March alongside 250GB model of console, recorded programs transferrable to PSP.

Sony's recent PlayStation 3 marketing campaign has revolved around the slogan, "It only does everything." Starting in March, "everything" will include being a TiVo-style digital video recorder--in Japan, anyway.

All the buzz of convergence, but with the same number of boxes hooked up to your TV!

All the buzz of convergence, but with the same number of boxes hooked up to your TV!

Sony Computer Entertainment Japan today introduced Torne, an external digital terrestrial tuner for the PS3. Set to launch in March, Torne will sell for ¥9,980 ($110) and allow users to watch and record TV broadcasts.

It will also allow users to schedule recordings, and it can record those programs in the background even if the system is doing something else, like playing a DVD or a PS3 game. (However, background recording is not possible while players are using older PS3s to play PlayStation 2 games.) Other features include support for closed captioning, multiple languages, and program guide navigation with a standard PS3 controller or Sony's official Blu-ray remote.

The Torne's usefulness extends to the PSP as well. Once programs have been recorded, they can then be transferred to a PSP for watching on the go.

Recording TV shows can eat up hard drive space in a hurry, so Sony is coordinating the Torne's launch with the Japanese debut of a new 250GB model of the PS3. The PS3 Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting Recorder Pack will include the system and Torne for ¥42,800 ($471). The 250GB PS3 will also be released in Japan February 18 without Torne as a limited edition bundle with a ¥34,980 ($385) price point.

A different limited edition 250GB PS3 was released in Japan last month, with a white-and-pink casing design to commemorate the launch of Square Enix's Final Fantasy XIII. That ¥41,600 ($458) bundle included the game, which sold 1 million copies in 24 hours on its own.

Torne is not Sony's first attempt to merge gaming and DVR functions. Gamers in Europe and Australia already have access to PS3-enabled DVR thanks to Sony's Play TV service.

The electronics giant has been working at integrating the two technologies for years. In 2003, Sony unveiled the PSX, a combination PS2 and DVR that could also burn recorded programs onto discs. One knock against the system was its consumer-unfriendly price point. The PSX came in configurations with 160GB or 250GB hard drives and sold for ¥79,800 ($878) and ¥99,800 ($1,098), respectively. Although the PSX had been scheduled for launch internationally, the lukewarm Japanese reception to the system led those plans to be shelved.

133 Comments

  • Bog101

    Posted Jan 21, 2010 2:57 pm GMT

    This is a dumb gimmick. Project Natal will be better. Everyone already had TV so who needs this?

  • MSG-Deathscythe

    Posted Jan 18, 2010 2:35 am GMT

    @arbelaster: I know it feels authentic when you keep on shipping that console for repairs. Playing PS3 exclusives which bagged Game of the Year and genre awards from different sites is so surreal.

  • KaizerJinn

    Posted Jan 17, 2010 4:12 pm GMT

    i definitely wouldnt mind using tht feature. =^)

  • X-RS

    Posted Jan 16, 2010 2:17 pm GMT

    dont sound too bad, that is of course youve got a 150 psp n 300 ps3, 110 really isnt anything.

  • DKant

    Posted Jan 16, 2010 12:42 am GMT

    Being able to transfer shows to your PSP the legit way? Sounds great, but we'll have to wait and see how well (and fast) the syncing actually works.

  • Frosty192

    Posted Jan 15, 2010 7:54 pm GMT

    too bad i work for a cable company so i get a free DVR with them but this is still kick ass haha

  • StJimmy15

    Posted Jan 15, 2010 6:53 pm GMT

    @gnbfd um dude, their problem with the PSX was the price point... They listed some pretty reasonable prices here for a combo blu ray, game player, dvr, cable box. 450 for the console bundle and 110 for just the device? heck yes!

  • StJimmy15

    Posted Jan 15, 2010 6:50 pm GMT

    Holy frick... Glad I didn't sell my PS3. Hopefully makes its way over here fast!

  • zMd113

    Posted Jan 15, 2010 5:47 pm GMT

    i want this!
    i would take my TV episodes with me me on my PSP GO and watch them at work!

  • condelirios

    Posted Jan 15, 2010 12:12 pm GMT

    Bring it the US. PLEASE! And include Cable Card access!

  • ChiliDragon Site moderator

    Posted Jan 15, 2010 9:29 am GMT

    This made me HAPPY. I really hope this comes to the US!

  • daabulls23

    Posted Jan 15, 2010 8:41 am GMT

    If this came out in the US, I would definitely get one, and it sounds like no monthly fee to use it.

  • Hvac0120

    Posted Jan 15, 2010 8:34 am GMT

    I like... I would definitely like to see this come to the US. I'm curious how it would work with my current cable provider. I don't have a DVR at the moment, so I'm unfamiliar with how 3rd party devices work. There doesn't seem to be any monthly fee, like what I have seen with Tivo.

    I also like how Sony ties the PS3 and PSP together, even if it's in small ways. Being able to take the videos on-the-go and watch them on the TV is a great service and makes good on promises made a long time ago.
    _

  • TripSe7en

    Posted Jan 15, 2010 5:44 am GMT

    @ rockstar_88:

    What do you mean Apple's rumered iTunes TV? That has been around for a couple years now, its called Apple TV. I was one that was duped into buying it.

  • rockstar_88

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 11:12 pm GMT

    Wow this is actually pretty interesting. If this technology comes out to the US and you couple it with Apple's rumored iTunes TV, I'm all in! Cheap, cheap cable service (iTunes TV on the Apple TV) + Torne = [You being in heaven].

  • legend133

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 6:11 pm GMT

    the would be awesome *hopes for US release or at least the ability to import and use anyway*

  • shogun656

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 5:15 pm GMT

    wow only if it came in america. this is really sweet

  • gnbfd

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 4:49 pm GMT

    this sounds oddly familiar... oh right the PSX!
    I thought Sony learned their lesson

  • awssk8er716

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 4:33 pm GMT

    @ SibirskiyTigr If I said my PS3 isn't hooked up to my TV, it came out wrong. I meant to say my TV isn't hooked up to cable, so I can't watch cable TV on my TV.

  • Harerazer

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 4:26 pm GMT

    There would probably be more copyright issues in the U.S. if it came here. Also, I'm sure the Pic-in-Pic mode could be software/firmware enabled. I'd like to see this come here. I already have a DVR so I wouldn't be heavily using it but I think it'd be a cool option to have for the extra TVs.

  • Harerazer

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 4:18 pm GMT

    There would probably be more copyright issues in the U.S. if it came here. Also, I'm sure the Pic-in-Pic mode could be software/firmware enabled. I'd like to see this come here. I already have a DVR so I wouldn't be heavily using it but I think it'd be a cool option to have for the extra TVs.

  • Auricom_Pilot

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 4:12 pm GMT

    HD?

  • crunchb3rry

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 4:06 pm GMT

    Lame. Where's the friggin' TV tuner for the PSP? Japan got one, where's ours? I want to watch Survivor on the toilet.

  • Lionheart8472

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 4:06 pm GMT

    I'm not sure people are fully understanding what this means as I still see negative feedback. First off for me at least since I'm in Canada, to buy a PVR HD Box from say Rogers costs like $500 bucks to do what this box does.

    Not to mention you pay $100 for this and you save $10 - $15 / month from my bill because I wouldn't need to rent a box from my cable company to record HD Shows.

    People that don't want to buy an extra cable + Tuner Card for thier PC, or if their PC is just way out of range this comes even more handy. You will be able to just plug in a USB Drive or Memory Stick Duo into the system and copy what you want onto your PC.

    It also allows people to play games and watch TV basically at the same time, so you don't have to keep changing the signal with the remote to go to your TV to your PS3, back to your TV.

    If this ever comes out, I would not hesitate for a second to pick this up as long as there is no problems.

    There is nothing negative about this, the price is in the right range imo considering the alternatives, and has some sweet features. And for you people that still want to be negative saying it should be a gaming console, well that's been pretty much thrown out the door by Sony themselves. Yanno with the "It only does everything" advertisements, it's obvious they are pushing it even more so now than ever before.

  • dkpunk

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 4:06 pm GMT

    Same here nocoolnamejim. It was extremely easy to upgrade too 500gb. So glad I bought the 60gb SKU.

  • VXLbeast

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 4:05 pm GMT

    @helborhamy: I don't know what that guy was smoking....or maybe he was a halo fanboy, if there are any of those left after ODST.

  • s_h_a_d_o

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 4:03 pm GMT

    What Jim said ..!

  • nocoolnamejim Site moderator

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 4:00 pm GMT

    This is so awesome it made my entire day.

    I've pimped out my own PS3 with a 500GB hard drive. I will be obtaining this when it becomes available to me. Oh yes, I WILL have it.

  • VXLbeast

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 4:00 pm GMT

    Awesome. Although I wouldn't use a DVR much, as I don't watch alot of TV, that is a very cool feature.

  • Prototype82

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 3:57 pm GMT

    It sounds awesome and I would buy this thing the first day it's available in the US. I gotta make use of the 320gb HDD(~230gb left) in my PS3.

  • rmj540

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 3:57 pm GMT

    They never release the cool stuff for the U.S. I would defiantly have a use for this though.

  • immortal224

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 3:57 pm GMT

    I am bored of this news... I just hope the next gen console be PS360 with every thing and all games.

  • Flat_Line_____

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 3:48 pm GMT

    Is there really a chance that this won't be released in the U.S.? I would think that since most of us are just now hearing about it, It shouldn't be too much longer before we are able to purchase it.

    Anyway, it sounds great to me. I have never used a T.V tuner type device before but have always wanted to get one for my PC. I think this kind of thing might actually be a better option for me though.

    But I would like to opt for a picture in picture feature heh. I don't know if that is even possible with the device or a PS3, Or is it dependednt upon the T.V./monitor being used? Either way, that would be awsome...

  • aGiantSquirrel

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 3:44 pm GMT

    GET SUM! That is awesome. Go Sony. Ive been wanting something like that. Although its frustrating it will never come to the US. Why? What are the features of the new premium service thats coming out. Im so curious.

  • Tremblay343

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 3:32 pm GMT

    Good thing i upgrading my old 60gb to 500gb, because if this ever finds it way into canada I'm all over it...that is if it functions properly.

  • Kurushio

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 3:30 pm GMT

    If they bring this to the US then im going to buy the biggest HDD i can and put it in my PS3 lol.

    Hopefully you dont have to have the PS3 on and can just set it on a timer to turn on to record the show and then turn it off.

  • dtn92593

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 3:26 pm GMT

    dude north america never get anything good and new

  • shentonio

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 3:24 pm GMT

    I have no doubt that this device (or similar) wiill end up in the us in the future. I have playtv the european equivalent, and it works very well. It's true that it can take up a fair bit of space when recording films, but Ijust deleted the programmes Ihad already watched so no problem there. More innovation is only ever a gud thing, and I hope that all PS3 users will get to use this at some point.

  • jacky531

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 3:22 pm GMT

    why don't we have this in North America

  • theone332

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 3:14 pm GMT

    lower the price to 50$ and release it in the US and it will be great success

  • chibi-acer

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 2:58 pm GMT

    No recording while playing PS2 games makes it no good for me. While I don't play PS2 games on my PS3 often, I'm sure I'd happen to pop in something one day and forget it was supposed to record something. >_

  • Hugomanen

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 2:51 pm GMT

    wait, 250gb isnt standard in japan?
    its been standard around since november or something
    [edit] here being europe/denmark

    seems like a nice little gadget, now i just have to start watching tv

  • SuperYeti22

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 2:50 pm GMT

    WHY WON'T THEY BRING THIS TO THE USA!!!!!!!

  • Revan_911

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 2:50 pm GMT

    You can do all this on a computer so what's the point?

  • SuperYeti22

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 2:50 pm GMT

    @arbelaster
    @helborhamy

    This is the truth. PS3 and 360 both have great games, but PS3 has the advantage when it comes to online multiplayer, 360 has the advantage when it comes to co-op

  • ItsEvolution

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 2:49 pm GMT

    Bring it to the US, Sony. I'll buy one.

  • Death_Blade_182

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 2:44 pm GMT

    Nice, although $110 is too much for me.

  • invictuslemming

    Posted Jan 14, 2010 2:44 pm GMT

    Good thing the HDD is easily upgradeable, 250gb isn't going to go far if you start recording video.

    Of course, I can't get too excited, living in Canada means living with draconian TV service providers who encrypt everything (including non-premium channels) so this box won't work in Canada anyway.

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