The PS5 is getting DVR functionality, with a digital tuner and TV recording app allowing users to record live TV.
According to a report by The Verge, the new app, named Torne, will be compatible with Sony’s existing Nanse tuners, which first launched on the PlayStation 3. Sadly, it’ll be for Japan only – at least for now.
Japanese company Buffalo has taken up production of the tuners after Sony discontinued making the devices in 2019. Amusingly, the new Nanse device still looks like a dinky PS3, despite the fact it’s for use on the PlayStation 5.
Buffalo’s rendition of the Nasne tuner features a 2TB hard drive, with support of up to 6TB. The tuner will retail for 29,800 yen, which is around 270 dollars.
While the device is currently Japan-exclusive, it could make its way to the west. However, it’s worth noting that many households in the UK already have DVR devices, thanks to subscriptions like Sky and Virgin Media. There’s also the fact that Microsoft’s attempt to bring DVR capabilities to consoles fell flat, with the feature being omitted from the Xbox Series X|S.
That being said, Nasne is a nifty piece of kit. The device is essentially a NAS drive, which would allow users to record TV programs then play them over a wifi network.
While details on the new Nasne device are sparse, the new app is coming to iOS and Android and now streams at 720p. Again, this is pretty cool, especially if you record a lot of live TV. In a sense, it’s a bit like having your own personal catch-up service.
Sadly, the tuner lacks any sort of HDMI input, so you won’t be able to hook up existing DVR boxes to the device. This is something that might affect the device’s future outside of Japan, as not many people use a basic terrestrial signal.
Nasne is set to re-launch in Japan later this year, so we’ll know if it’s coming to the west closer to its release. Would you like to be able to record live TV using your PS5? Let us know across our social media channels!
Featured Image Credit: Sony