European Sony Playstation 3 to get DVR, U.S. version may follow

After initial speculation earlier this month, following comments made by Warwick Light, Sony Computer Entertainment head for New Zealand, the company has today confirmed that the European version of the console is to get a digital terrestrial TV tuner and DVR from early next year — a prediction I first made seven years ago — with the possibility of a U.S. version to follow.

The PS3 will be spec’d with two tuners, allowing users to watch one show, while recording another, one-touch series recording and easy transfer to portable devices, such as the PSP. No disclosure was made on the likely hard disc size or how this may equate to storage capacity.

An official press release has yet to appear on Sony Computer Entertainment Europe’s site. But coverage in The Guardian states that the first countries to get the PlayTV-enabled PlayStations are the U.K., France, Germany and Spain. Forbes adds that Italy is also among the first countries to get the new device.