Well, this arrived today from the good folks at play.com. Initial impressions are mixed. I was hoping, with the PS3's superior upscaling abilities (compared to my TV anyway), that the picture was going to be a big improvement over my Topfield PVR. Unfortunately, it's about the same at the moment so, not a disaster, but not what I'd hoped.
The system itself is very easy to setup - hook it up with an aerial connection, connect it to the PS3 via USB (no power needed, it's USB powered), install the software with the supplied disc, quick channel scan and you're in. It comes with a little sticky thing to stick over the PS3's bluetooth remote which includes written text for buttons on both DVD playback (i.e. as before) and now text underneath each button in blue which indicates the PlayTV command for that button which works nicely. If you want this but don't have the PS3 bluetooth remote, I strongly suggest you purchase one as I reckon using the controller would be tiresome at best.
So far, things I like:
1. Acts like a normal PVR and has the ability to record one programme and watch another (though unfortunately, you cannot record more than one programme at the same time).
2. Has built in function which will record the programme even if the programme's scheduled time changes (not all current PVRs offer this).
3. Has a search facility so you can type in e.g. "Match of the Day" and it will show you all programmes with that in the title or in the description over the coming week. You can then scroll through these and set them to record. It's not perfect as it only goes by Title and Description e.g. typing in "football" showed me "Footballer's Wives", lots of Sky Sports News programmes and even "NFL Live" on Channel 4, but not Match of the Day... However, I can see this being really useful in future. (NB - if you want to use this extensively, I recommend a USB keyboard!).
4. In the Library section, you can show you're recorded programmes as a thumbnail. Highlighting the programme starts playing it in a little window.
5. Recorded programmes can be moved to your PS3's Video section on the XMB crossbar - so if you have something you know you want to keep, you can move it out of PlayTV and on to the main Home menu.
6. You can record programmes whilst playing games / Blu-Rays / DVDs. If you want to switch the unit off whilst something is recording, just do so as normal and it will go into a mode which automatically switches the PS3 to standby once the recording is finished. PlayTV will also automatically power on the PS3 from standby to record something you've scheduled.
What I don't like:
1. Has annoying pop-ups which come up telling which buttons do what every now and then which you don't seem to be able to switch off. Useful for the first two or three times, then just annoying after that. They do disappear after a few seconds but I have limited patience for oversights like this.
2. Can't record two programmes at once, even though it has two tuners to allow you to watch one and record another. Seems strange to me - maybe that will be changed with a firmware update.
3. As I say, I expected a decent improvement in picture considering the PS3's upscaling abilities and the HDMI connection compared to my Toppy's Scart. Again, I suppose this might be an improvement at a later date (as was the DVD upscaling on the original PS3).
If anyone is considering one and wants more info, feel free to post me any questions here and I'll endeavour to get back to you on it.
The system itself is very easy to setup - hook it up with an aerial connection, connect it to the PS3 via USB (no power needed, it's USB powered), install the software with the supplied disc, quick channel scan and you're in. It comes with a little sticky thing to stick over the PS3's bluetooth remote which includes written text for buttons on both DVD playback (i.e. as before) and now text underneath each button in blue which indicates the PlayTV command for that button which works nicely. If you want this but don't have the PS3 bluetooth remote, I strongly suggest you purchase one as I reckon using the controller would be tiresome at best.
So far, things I like:
1. Acts like a normal PVR and has the ability to record one programme and watch another (though unfortunately, you cannot record more than one programme at the same time).
2. Has built in function which will record the programme even if the programme's scheduled time changes (not all current PVRs offer this).
3. Has a search facility so you can type in e.g. "Match of the Day" and it will show you all programmes with that in the title or in the description over the coming week. You can then scroll through these and set them to record. It's not perfect as it only goes by Title and Description e.g. typing in "football" showed me "Footballer's Wives", lots of Sky Sports News programmes and even "NFL Live" on Channel 4, but not Match of the Day... However, I can see this being really useful in future. (NB - if you want to use this extensively, I recommend a USB keyboard!).
4. In the Library section, you can show you're recorded programmes as a thumbnail. Highlighting the programme starts playing it in a little window.
5. Recorded programmes can be moved to your PS3's Video section on the XMB crossbar - so if you have something you know you want to keep, you can move it out of PlayTV and on to the main Home menu.
6. You can record programmes whilst playing games / Blu-Rays / DVDs. If you want to switch the unit off whilst something is recording, just do so as normal and it will go into a mode which automatically switches the PS3 to standby once the recording is finished. PlayTV will also automatically power on the PS3 from standby to record something you've scheduled.
What I don't like:
1. Has annoying pop-ups which come up telling which buttons do what every now and then which you don't seem to be able to switch off. Useful for the first two or three times, then just annoying after that. They do disappear after a few seconds but I have limited patience for oversights like this.
2. Can't record two programmes at once, even though it has two tuners to allow you to watch one and record another. Seems strange to me - maybe that will be changed with a firmware update.
3. As I say, I expected a decent improvement in picture considering the PS3's upscaling abilities and the HDMI connection compared to my Toppy's Scart. Again, I suppose this might be an improvement at a later date (as was the DVD upscaling on the original PS3).
If anyone is considering one and wants more info, feel free to post me any questions here and I'll endeavour to get back to you on it.