Sony LocationFree LF-PK1

simply as Microsoft's Xbox 360 has been designed to deal with tune, images, video and recorded television, we're going to expect comparable multimedia mastery from Sony's playstation  3. In truth, the united states model of PSM mag has been stirring up the fan-boy pleasure with an editorial that speculates approximately the PS3's multimedia abilties.

"The PS3 will supposedly have full DVR capability," document our colleagues at CVG, "which means you'll be able to digitally report all of your favored television shows for later viewing in a great deal the same way as Sky . what's greater, it appears you may use your PSP to manipulate the DVR capability."

but that is not the interesting element. At CES, Sony CEO Howard Stringer proven the modern incarnation of its LocationFree era, which permits you to watch tv over the internet on a laptop or PSP.

The system works the use of a LocationFree base station as a virtual hub. This router-style device plugs directly into your content supply - usually a published feed, however the package consists of an IR blaster for controlling set-pinnacle bins and other AV gadgetry, consisting of DVD gamers. the base station then transmits the video signals over a LAN or the net.

A courageous new international

"With a base station related to your home entertainment gadget," stated Stringer at this year's CES, "you could remotely access personal movies, your DVD series, television indicates recorded in your PVR or even stay television publicizes. LocationFree works remotely with the playstation  portable - and certainly also to a VAIO or different laptop. you can watch American tv from a hotel room in London, or British television from a lodge room in Tokyo."

The cutting-edge LocationFree era makes use of dual band 802.11a/b/g wi-fi signals for sharing content material in the course of a home, robotically switching the frequency (i.e. from 2.4GHz to 5GHz) to minimise interference with other wireless devices. the base station will movement MPEG-2 exceptional video over a LAN, MPEG-four over a net connection, accessing its content material through  video inputs and an RF connection.

way to TiVo, Sky and Media center, the idea of 'timeshifting' has worked its manner into the public attention. The LocationFree device, and other similar merchandise (along with the Orb software and the Slingbox), are now pushing the idea of 'placeshifting' - i.e. they give you the capacity to get entry to your content material beyond the bounds of the digital domestic.

rumour has it that the PS3 will either act as a LocationFree base station itself or be capable of help an outside LocationFree tool just like the LF-PK1 pictured right here. however it really works, the LocationFree technology will ultimately enable PS3 owners to attach and get entry to the music, photos and video on their console.

Sony's LocationFree machine is to be had in Japan and the usa, either on its own or with a wi-fi lcd panel. As yet, there's no phrase from Sony on a uk release.