PlayTV is a twin-channel DVB-T tuner with a built-in digital TV recorder which allows users to record television programs on the hard drive of the PlayStation 3. If you're based in France, you might want to know that a retailer in that region by the name of Micromania has let slip the release date for the accessory.

For more information, head on over to the full article.

Although it hasn't been officially announced yet, the Sydney Morning Herald says that Sony will be releasing PlayTV in Australia next year. As one of the territories that support Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB-T), along with some other PAL countries, PlayTV being available in the land down under is entirely possible. 

So far, SCEE has only officially announced PlayTV for the UK, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain. PlayTV is the new feature made specifically for the PlayStation 3. It's basically a black box that lets the console pick up TV broadcasts via DVB-T, and the console can record the programs. The recorded videos can then also be transferred onto the PlayStation Portable.

The Herald says that the biggest problem with PlayTV appearing in Australia may be the local networks' reluctance to have a personal video recorder (PVR) have access to their electronic program guides. We'll probably hear more about it from Sony Australia soon, so stay tuned for updates.

It's a bit disappointing when Sony announced that PlayTV is not going to be released in North America. We all know that the company is quite known for reversing previous statements to keep consumers on their toes but as of this writing, the broadcast service is still exclusive for Europe.

Anyway, the Official PlayStation Magazine or OPM recently did a rough estimate for PlayTV's pricing. According to the publication, all of the components (Freeview receiver, PVR, and Sling Box) will cost between 60 GBP (US$ 121.21) to 100 GBP (US$ 201.97) when purchased separately.

The good news here is that OPM is saying PlayTV might be priced for just 70 GBP or roughly around US$ 141.37. This is really a neat price considering all the features that the service has. Just to remind you, PlayTV is actually a twin-channel DVB-T tuner accessory that comes with a digital video recorder software.

It allows users to record TV programs on the PS3's hard drive which is quite similar to the service TiVo provides. More excitingly, PlayTV also has the capability to connect with the PlayStation Portable via Wi-Fi for portable entertainment. According to a previous announcement, PlayTV should become available by early 2008.

Along with the three Go! Services announced during the Leipzig Games Convention, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) also announced an exciting new feature for the PlayStation 3: a TV Tuner combined with a Personal Video Recorder. Called PlayTV, the service virtually transforms the PS3 into a game console/TiVo hybrid.

The service will be available in the UK, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain in early 2008. The service will be available to other PAL territories that support Digital Video Broadcasting in the future. PlayTV picks up Terrestrial video format (DVB-T) which is organized with the Electric Programme Guide EPG2.

Aside from being able to play and record High Definition format for the Sony PS3, PlayTV also has tutorial videos and can connect with the PSP to watch Live and recorded TV programs via Wi-Fi. The Programme Guide will also provide numerous information about the programs users watch and record. All these with the ease of use of the controller or the BD remote controller.

Are you guys familiar with DVB-T? It stands for Digital Video Broadcasting - Terrestrial and is actually the European association standard for transmitting aerial broadcasts to provide users with more channels. Anyway, magazine "c't" in its latest issue demonstrates how the PlayStation 3 (running on Linux) can receive digital TV transmissions.

Aside from having the free operating system (OS), you must first perform a few changes to your console. After implementing certain Kernel and driver modifications, not to mention an adjustment of the media player software Xine, you will also be needing an external DVB-T box to be connected to the USB slot of the console.

The way we understand it, this operation will also let the PS3 serve as a digital video recorder, provided that you keep in mind its 180 Watts capacity. As we all know, anything higher than that is not at all recommended. Step-by-step installation details as well as Yellow Dog Linux 5.0 will be included in the magazine.

"c't" will be available on March 19 for 8.5 Euro or roughly around US$ 11. The Read link below will take you to the mag's official site where you can obtain further details and ways to order its latest issue. We have to warn you though, it's in German.