Today, SCEE finally announced the introduction of PlayTV, a combined TV tuner and Personal Video Recoder (PVR) for the PlayStation 3. PlayTV will be available in UK, 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 turns PS3 into a state of the art TV recorder, allowing users to watch, pause and record live TV. PlayTV will also record individual programmes or whole series to the PS3 hard drive for viewing later on the family TV, or for transferring to the PSP for remote viewing outside of the home.

Operating on the widely available Digital Video Broadcasting – Terrestrial (DVB-T) format, PlayTV uses an incredibly quick and easy to use 7-day Electronic Programme Guide EPG. that provides the navigation for programming the PVR features of PlayTV. In line with PlayStation’s focus on advanced technology made easy, PlayTV provides a host of added value features seldom seen on anything but the highest cost standalone PVRs:

• PlayTV’s two TV tuners are High Definition ready and are able to view, record and play back High Definition signals in full HD1080P to fully complement PS3’s already impressive High Definition credentials.
• 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.
• Intuitive controls, single button help features, tutorial videos and simple navigation make PlayTV a positive joy to use compared with the complexity of some standalone PVR models
• Seamless connectivity with PSP allows you to set recordings, watch Live TV and recorded TV programmes remotely on PSP via a Wi-Fi connection (using Remote Play feature). Alternatively, quickly transcode recorded TV shows for high quality viewing to PSP by USB cable for remote viewing away from the home.
• Optional on-screen graphical display provides a wealth of information about the status of PlayTV and provides quick access to programme information, stored TV programmes and the controls to pause or record live TV. PlayTV will also set the correct interface for either Standard Definition or High Definition displays, maximising the viewing experience.
• PlayTV will evolve with time, with great added value functionality being updated via PLAYSTATION Network; a feature that sets it above all other set top boxes. PlayTV will never be out of date.

“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,” said David Reeves, President of Sony Computer Entertainment 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.”

The PlayStation 3 Folding@Home client has been updated to version 1.20. A significant number of additions have been made to the client including a Advanced Particapation Mode, more folding visuals, and support for Remote Play for PSP. You can check out the full list of new and improved features below.

Improvement: Support for Remote Play for PSP (PlayStation Portable)

Folding@home can now be remotely operated through the Remote Play feature of your PS3 system. When you use this feature, the Folding@home help screen will be specific to your PSP system’s controls. Use this screen if you need help in navigating Folding@home from your PSP system.

Note: PSP system software should be version 3.50 or higher.

Note: To use Remote Play for the first time, you must first register (pair) a PSP system with a PS3 system. For setup details, see the “Remote Play” section of the PLAYSTATION 3 System Software User’s Guide: http://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/network/index.html

Improvement: Visibility of Donor Locations on the Globe

The markers indicating PS3 system donor locations on the globe have been improved to differentiate between daytime and nighttime areas.

Improvement: Support for Additional Protein Simulations

Additional computation cores are now supported. This allows Folding@home for PS3 to support a wider range of protein-folding simulations.

Improvement: Advanced Participation Mode

An advanced participation mode has been added to Folding@home for PS3. This mode allows Stanford to send simulations of varying computational lengths to users of Folding@home for PS3. Because the simulations in this mode can take significantly longer, Advanced Mode is only recommended for contributors who run Folding@home for PS3 for at least eight (8) hours per day.

Note: In Advanced Mode, an energy graph during the simulation will also be displayed. In this graph, the blue line represents the total energy level of the protein over time. The red line represents the average temperature level at which the current simulation is run.

Improvement: Screensaver Mode

A screensaver mode can now be activated via the Settings menu. After no controller input has been detected for three (3) minutes, the screen will go blank except for a logo that periodically moves to avoid screen burn-in. Any controller input will exit the screensaver mode. This feature allows your PS3 system to consume slightly less power and to increase performance of protein-folding simulations.

Improvement: Link to Project Description

A link has been added to the Information menu that allows you to quickly obtain additional information about the specific research project that you’re currently contributing to.

Improvement: Protein Visualization Enhancements

All visualization modes have been enhanced with improved shading, highlighting, and focus effects. In addition, four new visualization modes have been added:

• Tapioca – Displays the protein as a smooth surface with improved shading and depth. (Tapioca replaces the “ISO Surface” visualization that was available in earlier versions.)
• Caviar – Displays the protein as a smooth surface with defined edges.
• Licorice – Displays only the protein’s bonds.
• Backbone – Emphasizes specific sections of the protein that are of the most scientific interest to researchers.

Note: The Backbone visualization is not available for all proteins.

[Via: Sony Folding@Home Website]

UPDATE (August 21st 2007 at 18:23):

Screenshots of Folding@Home on the PSP:

During the Folklore presentation by the game’s designer Yoshiki Okamoto at Sony’s PR space, 3Rooms, some details on planned downloadable content were revealed. Six download packs, or “Quest Packs” as they are known, have been planned for the game. Each pack will contain the following a number of new quests, new costumes and new enemies.

Each Quest Pack will contain:

• 4 new quests
• 1 new costume
• 1 new monster

The first Quest Pack is already available from the Japanese PlayStation Network Store, it weighs in at about 24MB and is downloadable for free.

[Via: PS3FanBoy]

The release dates and pricing details for Tekken 5: DR Online have finally been revealed. According to SDTekken, the release dates and pricing information for US has been confirmed, but details for Europe are still to be confirmed. Tekken 5 Dark Resurrection can out in Japan earlier this month, and will head to the US this week. See the full details below.

Release Dates

• Japan August 1, 2007
• Honk Kong: August 1, 2007
• North America: August 23, 2007
• Europe: Summer 2007

Pricing

• Japan – JYN 2,800 (JYN 1,000 for upgrade).
• North America- $29.99 ($9.99 for upgrade).
• Europe – TBA

[Via: SDTekken]

The Metal Gear Online beta started today in Japan. The beta runs from August 20th 2007 to September 3rd 2007, with only 3000 players taking part. Beta registration closed on August 6th 2007, so if you didn’t get in then its too late. Only two maps are available to play in the beta. Look out for details on the beta throughtout the beta trial, for now, see below for some juicy details discovered so far.

Details:

• Different lobbies, each named after a MGS character; Snake, Otacon, Liquid etc.
• First-Person mode can be accessed by pressing L1 + Triangle
• There are only two maps in the beta. One looks like the arctic and the other is something like the middle east that we see in the trailers and gameplay footage.
• Voice chat is supported as well as typing. To bring up chat window, press left or right on the D-Pad.
• To change to the position on your back once laying down is triangle, tapping triangle and holding the analogue stick in whatever direction will allow you to roll in that direction.
• No slow down, solid frame rate.
• The camera control can be customized in the options menu. You can invert etc and if you so wish, have it player controlled entirely.
• The visuals are ‘nice’ but they seem to be a bit unpolished, character models are very detailed.
• Character customization options: you can alter how fast you run, skill with certain weapons and whatnot.
• No ‘hacking’ ability yet.
• Controls
  • X – Crouch > Crawl positions (while running: diving roll)
  • O – Reload
  • Triangle – Standing: salute, Crouching: point remote
  • Square – Toggle Auto-Aim
  • D-Pad:
    • Left and Right: Toggle chat window
  • Analogue Stick: Left – move character, Right – move camera
  • R3: Toggle over shoulder view in aim mode from left to right.
  • R1 – Rire
  • R2 – Secondary fire while in aim or toggle weapon menu
  • L1 – Aim
  • L2 – Toggle item mini menu

[Via: Gamers Creed]

The EU PlayStation Network Store will get an update this coming Wednesday night, instead of the usual Thursday afternoon update. Why you ask? Because that is when Sony is having their Press Conference at the Leipzig Games Convention. The update will contain a number of new trailers from the Games Convention, as well as the Folklore Demo, however, the demo will only be available for a limited time only.

The Folklore demo will only be available on the PSN Store for a limited time only, so be quick about downloading it. We are not entirely sure why it’s limited, but you have been warned. If you haven’t got a EU PlayStation Network account set up, then now is the time to do it.

[Via: PS3FanBoy]

According to PlayFrance, Sony is planning to release a second starter pack for the PlayStation 3 in Europe. The original starter pack comes with the PlayStation 3 Console, two SIXAXIS controllers, Resistance: Fall of Man and MotorStorm. The new starter pack will contain the same content, however, the two free games will be replaced with Heavenly Sword and Formular 1. The second starter pack is scheduled for launch on September 19th 2007, retailing for EUR 599 (GBP 407).

Althought the news has not been confirmed by Sony, we antisipate more details to be revealed at next weeks Leipzig Games Convention in Germany.

[Via: PlayFrance]

The Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction demo has been completed for some time now, however, it will not see the light of day until closer to the launch of the game, which is on October 27th 2007. According to Jennifer Clark, Senior PR Manager, the demo will be available to download from the PlayStation Network Store just before the game launches. This is despite many complaints about the lack of content and playable demos on the PSN Store.

The release date for the demo has not been confirmed, but more details should be available soon.

[Via: PlayStation.Blog]

Three Speech has managed to get a hold of the UK release dates for Heavenly Sword, Folklore, Warhawk and Lair. The European release dates were announced earlier during the week, but do not reflect the new dates by Three Speech. According to Three Speech, the PlayStation Network version of Warhawk will be released on August 28th 2007, while the retail version will hit shops a month later on September 21st 2007.

Heavenly Sword will launch on September 14th 2007, while Lair will launch on October 26th 2007. The release date for Lair is not yet official to expect some changes. The same goes for Folklore, which is expected to launch on October 12th 2007. The PSN version of Warhawk will cost GBP 19.99, while the retail version together with the bluetooth headset will retail for GBP 39.99.

[Via: Three Speech]