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Sony Adds DVR to PS3; VOD, GPS & IM to PSP

At Games Convention today, Sony Computer Ent. Europe (SCEE) made big announcements on new features added to the PlayStation 3 and PSP.

Added to the PS3, PlayTV is a combined TV tuner and Personal Video Recorder (PVR), which will be available in the U.K., France, Italy, Germany and Spain early in 2008, with other PAL territories to follow in due course. The twin channel TV tuner peripheral and PVR software allow users to watch, pause and record live TV. PlayTV will also record individual programs or whole series to the PS3 hard drive for viewing later, or for transferring to the PSP.

Other features include:

* PlayTV's two TV tuners are full HD1080P ready.

* Unlike the electronic programme guides found on conventional satellite and cable services, PlayTV's EPG is lightning fast, and simple to use with either PS3's SIXAXIS wireless controller or the BD remote control to really enhance viewing pleasure.

* Operating on the widely available Digital Video Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DVB-T) format, PlayTV uses a seven-day Electronic Program Guide.

* Seamless connectivity with PSP allows you to set recordings, watch live TV and recorded TV programs remotely on PSP via a Wi-Fi connection (using Remote Play feature).

"The introduction of PlayTV really will extend the already broad entertainment credentials of PS3, and makes it an exceptionally attractive proposition for the whole family this Christmas," said David Reeves, President of Sony Computer Ent. Europe. "PS3 already provides High Definition gaming, Blu-ray Disc movies, music, video, photo album, web browsing and PlayStation Network support. With the introduction of PlayTV's state of the art TV tuner and PVR functionality, PS3 is now the best choice of home entertainment hub for the whole family."

Additionally for the PSP, Sony has entered a joint venture with British Sky Broadcasting (Sky) to offer PSP owners in the U.K. and Ireland the opportunity to watch video on demand.

The Go! branded video download service will launch in early 2008, and will be the first official PSP video download service anywhere in Europe. The choice of programs available will include a diverse mix of Sky content, spanning sports, entertainment, movies, music and animation. In addition, Sky plans to work with third-party channel brands and content owners to create an even more comprehensive service. This is the first time Sky will offer video content through a non-Sky branded service.

Customers will be able to download their choice of programs direct to their PSP via a Wi-Fi connection or, alternatively, transfer content that they've downloaded to their PC.

Moreover, Sony unveiled Go!Messenger, the wireless communications package for PSP, due for release in January 2008 in the SCEE territories.

Utilizing the very latest in VOIP technology, PSP users can now keep in touch with each other, for free, from any wireless Internet connection. As part of a future firmware upgrade, Go! Messenger places a small application on PSP's XMB (XrossMediaBar), which can be downloaded separately from the Web and installed to the Memory Stick, and PSP owners will be able to instant message each other when connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot, using a new and intuitive on-screen keyboard. By adding a headset, voice chat and voice messaging becomes possible, and by connecting Go!Cam, the attachable video camera for PSP, users also have the ability to make video calls to their friends and leave fun video and voice messages.

"With Go!Messenger, PSP is pushing new boundaries, adding unique communication functionalities to all the existing multimedia experiences," said Stephane Hareau, PSP European Marketing Manager, Sony Computer Ent. Europe. "Enabling more than 8.5 million PSP users across the SCEE region to communicate with each other, through video or voice chat, truly confirms the always evolving nature and potential of PSP.''

Go!Messenger has been developed in partnership with BT, one of the world's leading telecoms providers.

Another feature of the Go! service will be Go!Explore, the new satellite navigation package, due for release in the New Year.

Collaborating with market leaders TeleAtlas and NavNGo and utilizing the very latest in map data and navigation software, Go!Explore is a state of the art, combined in-car and pedestrian GPS navigation application for PSP. Incorporating a GPS receiver and the software UMD (Universal Media Disc) software containing your chosen maps, Go!Explore will offer a satellite navigation system at an affordable price.

"Bringing GPS navigation to PSP is simply fantastic and shows again the unrivalled potential of PSP," said Hareau. "Developed in collaboration with key companies TeleAtlas and NavNGo, the market leaders in the map data and Navigation software industry, Go!Explore offers the best and most innovative In-Car and Pedestrian GPS navigation experience. With the ability to use 3D city maps and even 3D landmarks in certain key cities, GPS on PSP is a totally unique experience."

Go!Explore supports 11 unique audio languages on every geographic version; English, German, French, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish. Keeping up with the flexibility and future proof nature of PSP, Go!Explore has access to upgradeable maps & points of interest (POI) that can be purchased via the PlayStation Network, and to additional maps, POI, downloads and other WiFi features that will be made available in the future.

No announcement has been made yet about when these new feature will reach the U.S.

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