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The Xbox 720 or whatever it might eventually be called by Microsoft’s marketing people may arrive PVR features onboard, with a Microsoft patent revealing it’s working on a system that lets a “digital video recorder” capture media on a games console.
The patent describes the feature as offering…
A digital video recorder (DVR) application running alongside a television client component allows users to record media content on the gaming console. The DVR application also integrates itself with the console menu. Once integrated, users can record media content while playing games. Alternatively, users can record content when the gaming console is turned off.
…which sounds very much like MS is finally getting ready to deliver what it’s been promising us for years — a properly unified console and set-top-box. [USPTO via Techradar]
As much as this makes sense, unless they can get Virgin and Sky on board to allow people to plug their TV set top boxes into the Xbox, it’s never going to work as I (and I’d assume many others) would really desire it to.
Microsoft is never going to win in a battle against entrenched veterans Virgin and Sky, so the idea of them actually launching their -own- TV package is kind of ludicrous, and basically means both avenues are shut out.
That basically just leaves catchup services online – which makes the entire thing kind of redundant.
Great idea, but unworkable in the market.
Don’t Sony already offer this with play tv?
Not wanting sky/virgin I’m pleased to see Microsoft binging over more elements from media centre.
That’s just plugging a standard definition Freeview box into a PS3, though. What we really need is a proper cable service with HD channels.
I use Play TV – it’s actually the main reason I bought my PS3. It’s very awesome! Much better than any other PVR I’ve used (including Sky). Doesn’t support HD though.
So yeah, I’d buy this instead of a PS4.
And I’m sure it won’t be too long before internet TV starts to overtake Sky/Virgin/… anyway.