New software turns PS3 into an Internet TV
- Posted January 7th, 2011 at 22:11 EDT by Adam Dolge
- 9 Comments
Orb Networks today at CES unveiled software that essentially turns a PlayStation 3 into an Internet TV portal. The software enables any connected Blu-ray player, including PS3s, to access movies and TV via services like Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Video on Demand.
Joe Costello, CEO of Orb Networks, describes the software as a less expensive solution than other solutions, like Google TV. “The combined cost of a Blu-ray player and Orb BR software is less expensive than most of the other Internet TV solutions, like Boxee and Google TV, while providing more capabilities. With more than eight million connected Blu-ray players and 40 million PS3 players already in homes, the market opportunity for Orb BR is huge.”
The software comes in at a reasonable $19.99 USD price tag, and has helpful features like the ability to control the service through a smartphone app or on any computer. You’ll have to download the free Orb Caster software, and/or the Orb controller app for smartphones to operate the service. Then, insert the provided disc in to your Blu-ray player or PS3, and you’ll be ready.
Orb BR supports 720p and 1080p. The Orb controller app features an easy-to-use global index of TV shows. Simply type in the name of the show you want and let Orb find it for you—you won’t need to specify where to look, it could find it in Hulu, ABC, or CBS, for instance.
The software is out late February. We’ll give you a review closer to launch.
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1solidsnake |
solid1snake67- 6:06pm EST - January 7th, 2011
- 2
why do i neeed this when i have the internet on my computer, i dont need to watch tv for 19.99 i guess. when i have direct tv , makes no sense. they need to make more stuff that people will use more.
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utopoo
- 6:11pm EST - January 7th, 2011
- 4
Huh, this software sounds useless. All these services already have built in search engines, what is the purpose of searching your search? Plus, with a router, you can already do this with most devices; and has anyone at Orb Networks heard of the internet? One cable and you can link almost any TV to a computer...
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I_ONLY_DO_EVERYTHING
- 10:08pm EST - January 7th, 2011
- 7
Wow. Someone dropped the ball on this one. Talk about wasting time, creating an application no PS3 or bluray player needs. I think most bluray players are netflix compatiable now and may already have some of the other features as well. As far as the PS3 is concerned, it already can access all of that so where exactly is the market for this?
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Sonan
- 11:08pm EST - January 7th, 2011
- 8
I had to read this twice to actually get it, and it makes sense. Not all Blu-ray players are Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, et cetera compatible. Especially those made early 2010 or ealier. This makes no sense for the PS3, but for others with older Blu-ray players it's a good idea.
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johnodd4
- 3:27am EST - January 9th, 2011
- 9
This is there solution for the playstation 3 DVR unit which is out in japan because we cannot use DVR's here in the u.s and in the u.k without some sort of hack to get free service this is the solution to give access to free internet tv for just purchasing a app this isnt a bad idea but a interresting one because i would rather have the dvr unit that was released in japan dont beleive me look up ps3 dvr on youtube
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