PlayTV getting Facebook features in 2010

By Tom Bramwell Published 15 April, 2010

"Major update" due before end of year.

Sony has said that its PlayTV software will receive social network integration in a "major update" which is "due towards the end of 2010".

"The next update for PlayTV is due later this year but testing of some of the new features has already begun," PSN product manager James Thorpe wrote on the European PlayStation Blog.

"I don't want to give too much away and spoil the surprise but a little hint to one of the new features is that PlayTV will have links to the world's most popular social network site, Facebook."

Apparently we should expect "other great enhancements" and "brand new features" to be included in the update, which will be trailed on the PS Blog beforehand.

PlayTV allows PS3 owners to record and play back TV through their PS3s.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (42) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • mouse Verified Graphic designer, Eurogamer Network #1 2 years ago

    I'm watching EastEnders on PlayTV.

    Watching EastEnders on PlayTV LOL.

    EastEnders again. PlayTV.

    OMG did anyone just watch EastEnders on PlayTV?

  • M_of_the_sys #2 2 years ago

    Mouse is watching Eastenders on PlayTV.
    Mouse: Watching Eastenders on PlayTV LOL.
    Mouse: Eastenders again. PlayTV.
    Mouse: OMG did anyone just watch Eastenders on PlayTV?

    M_of_the_sys and Mouse are no longer friends.*


    *Not actual facebook friends

  • X201 #3 2 years ago

    Still no mention if we'll get a new box so that we can pick up Freeveiw HD.

    I'm assuming that silence = No.

    Edited by 1 at 15/04/10 @ 09:30

  • Dizzy #4 2 years ago

    I am sure this will make a few hundred people happy.

  • originaljohn #5 2 years ago

    Add trophy support, cuz the japonese version of play tv has it. Why can't we?

  • jack_klugman #6 2 years ago

    As X201 states isn't the update UK users really need the ability to receive Freeview HD?

  • bodypopper #7 2 years ago

    Agreed that the only way this can be called exciting is if Sony announces a Freevew HD version. Sadly, DVB-T2 isn't widely used in Europe so it seems unlikely.

  • X201 #8 2 years ago

    Its a shame really, the UK goes for the better HD standard and yet UK users are the ones who can't get HD pictures on PlayTV

  • lockload #9 2 years ago

    Who cares about facebook, lets get FreeviewHD support shoiuld be possible as the cell has no issues deciding codecs on the fly more than powerful enough

  • SpaceMidget75 Verified Senior Software Developer, Minerva Computer Services #10 2 years ago

    I wonder how long it will be before Facebook get sick of all the extra pointless status updates from various places watering down their websites point in the first place.

  • Emmit_Assassin #11 2 years ago

    Play TV...

    /sniggers...

  • mrpon #12 2 years ago

    I presume it can't pick up Freeview HD with a simple firmware upgrade?

  • X201 #13 2 years ago

    @lockload

    The PS3 has nothing to do with decoding the TV signal - it only processes the video and sound after the signal has been decoded by the play TV box.

    The decoders in the Play TV box are hard coded and are not upgradeable.
    The only way to receive Freeview HD is with a new Play TV box.


  • X201 #14 2 years ago

    @mrpon

    If only you'd waited one more minute ;)

  • cnlfailure #15 2 years ago

    Why does Facebook need to know what I'm watching on TV?

  • chubster2010 #16 2 years ago

    @ AceGrace
    re 'Lets hope the update has series link and allows 2 recordings at once. It will become moderately useful then. '

    As someone who does not have Sky+ (and who has no intention of getting Sky+!) PlayTV has been extremely useful for me. Yeah, it would be nice if they introduce series link and 2 recordings (as you suggest), but I've found it more that 'moderately useful' in it's current form. It's a nice bit of kit.

  • Praetorianer #17 2 years ago

    Facebook?

  • X201 #18 2 years ago

    So that your 874 friends who you've never actually met, (most of whom you wouldn't want to have your address never-mind allow them into your house) can share your TV watching with you.

    In plain English - someone in marketing, who is paid a stupid amount of money to tell the company what is hip, trendy and happenin' with the kids, thought it would be a good idea. So some poor sod at Sony Cambridge got the job of programming it.

  • woodnotes #19 2 years ago

    Nevermind bloody Facebook. How about dual-recording and series link first!?

  • el_pollo_diablo #20 2 years ago

    I'm about this far from deleting my facebook account as it is.

  • CosmicFuzz #21 2 years ago

    Dual recording won't happen via a software update, you need a new box with another tuner inside.

    The biggest thing this could do is series link.

  • patch #22 2 years ago

    Unfortunately you'll need a new decoder for Freeview HD. I'd have thought we'll get a play TV 2 at some point.

  • X201 #23 2 years ago

    @EarlBassett

    To be fair to Sony, Play TV was upgradable to Freeview HD at the time it went on sale. It looked like DVB-T was going to be the broadcast standard for UK HD so Sony made the device. In the end DVB-T2 was the chosen standard which meant the Play TV wasn't compatible, Sony dropped the "Upgradable" advertising at that point.

  • Apostle #24 2 years ago

    Good god, does everything need Facebook integration these days?

    /waits for his toilet to get software update

    FB - Apostle is on the loo, doing a poo.

  • Mayernator87 #25 2 years ago

    I hope its a series link too. I actually have a weekly ritual of finding all my programs, telling it to record every episode shown during the next eight days, (I work late so i miss alot of the good prime-time stuff)

    Then repeat this whole cycle again when the next week arrives.... (Sigh)

  • varsas #26 2 years ago

    @Ace Grace:
    Its good to hear updates are coming. I thought Sony had pretty much left this for dead.

    Lets hope the update has series link and allows 2 recordings at once. It will become moderately useful then.

    Series linking is a must!

    I'm guessing that if it allowed 2 recordings then that would impact being able to play games at the same time.

  • patch #27 2 years ago

    Am I right in thinking France and Australia are using DVB-T for their HD broadcasts? It uses up more of the spectrum, but would in theory allow you to upgrade PlayTV with firmware to receive HD. Blame Ofcom (or someone) for us using DVB-T2... although it's technically a much better solution :)

  • X201 #28 2 years ago

    @patch

    Oz, and most of Europe are using DVB-T. No need to upgrade as Play TV is a DVB-T device

  • woody0111 #29 2 years ago

    I'm hoping they change the format the files are recorded on so I can transfer thr
    straight to psp rather then doing that STUPID remote play thing. I wanna be able to watch a show on my lunch break at work dammit!

  • 00.00.01 #30 2 years ago

    Mouse is watching Eastenders on PlayTV.
    Mouse: Watching Eastenders on PlayTV LOL.
    Mouse: Eastenders again. PlayTV.
    Mouse: OMG did anyone just watch Eastenders on PlayTV?

    So...that's FB Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (cuz Friday always has the shocking cliff-hanger, hence the 'OMG!' you used) :) Have always wondered why FB is a 'hidden' icon in the XMB, compared to Iplayer and VidZone. Don't mind it as I don't do social networking sites, the abbreviation 'FB' is only used to indicate Fuck-Buddies.

    As for the 'major updates'...I suspect cross-game voice- and video chat. Maybe some 3D-720 stuff too.

  • Dolly #31 2 years ago

    Trophy support for PlayTV confirmed. Trophy whores will just love the chase of obtaining the 'kill yourself now' trophy by watching the whole season of Ant and Decs Push the button.

  • sickpuppysoftware #32 2 years ago

    I'm not sure I want all my friends knowing that I recorded some late night French "art" film the previous night or far worse that my wife wanted to record some shitty Jennifer Aniston romantic comedy.

  • makeamazing #33 2 years ago

    I really couldnt care less about Facebook connection, to me that is not even a feature i would want (I'm sure someone out there might), the feature i want is it to work with Sky. Hopefully they are working on better features than facebook/twitter type things.

  • Johnsters #34 2 years ago

    For me - just series link please.
    FreeView HD. Pointless for me for the time being as I live in a Meridan area and we are not due to get FreeView HD till 2012!!!!
    (though only 2 channels, I would like)

    I've experienced the recent demise of my PS3 (original FAT Day1) - Had YLOD a couple of times and was getting sick of having to strip it down and re-flow the solder in the CPU and GPU. Whislt the PS3 is dead, I lost not only my games console but my PVR too. So unless Series link comes in ASAP, I'll be buying a 2nd PVR to handle TV recordings going forward........

  • Oceadge #35 2 years ago

    Oh and they should increase the time allowed for recording at the end of a programme. Here in Oz the main terrestrial channels ALWAYS run late during prime time and often run over the ten minutes allowed by PlayTV. I have missed the end of programmes many times now. Oh and they should have it as a default option instead of having to set it every single time I record something.

  • max75 #36 2 years ago

    why have they got to facebook everything ?
    i hope ther is a option not to install it or i wont bother with the update.

  • Wyrm #37 2 years ago

    Play TV is brilliant :D

  • LiamK #38 2 years ago

    Sounds like someone really needs to play Yahtzee.

  • bazza #39 2 years ago

    Trophy support?

    Trophy awarded: Watched 50hrs of Jeremy Kyle without resorting to alcohol/suicide.

    Admit it. That would be a hard one to win.

  • alcides #40 2 years ago

    how about the ability to record stuff as you please?

    If the bloody thing doesn't recieve the TV program, it won't let you record your shows!!! "Because there nothing on", it says.
    Computer says nooo.

    I have yet to find how to play a game and record stuff simultaneously. I read in the manual that it's possible, I read it on the box itself, I read it on websites. Looks like a fat lie so far.

    It makes my PS3 freeze when I want to lauch a game from it.
    Also when I want to exit it, and go on the XMB, it will freeze the console.
    And, when I shut down the PS3 while watching PlayTV, it makes the system freeze.

    bip bip.

    I reckon they'll make the recordings PSP-compatible, add an editing utility for the ten extra minutes we have to secure at both ends so as to be sure the thing isn't cut.

    The interface sometimes does funny things, like the O button for shtting down this DAMN blue menu (I dont NEED that every fucking time I switch a channel) sometimes doesn't shut it but takes you back to the previous program.

    I guess that what happens when you pu 2 contextual actions on the same button, in the same context.

    I also have some praise for the device, merely that it's ok for the price, if you have a PS3. Also just putting down the controller activates those triggers (either fast forward or rewind)

  • SEVQA #41 2 years ago

    @alcides

    Get a media remote init.

  • septimus #42 2 years ago

    Why? PlayTV is great and it our main TV source, but why would I want to post what my wife is watching on TV?