iTWire - Aunty comes home with iView for PS3

Aunty comes home with iView for PS3

By David Swan
Wednesday, 25 November 2009 16:47

Whether you're into The Bill, The Wire or The Einstein Factor, PS3 users can now get their fix thanks to a new update that allows on demand viewing of ABC programs, if they have the download capacity that is!

Since yesterday, the ABC has made its iView platform available to all PS3 users through a software update, which allows users to view the public broadcaster's programs during a two-week period after they have aired on TV.

Another update to the iView software has already been confirmed, after users complained the service was "blocky" and "too slow". According to Lifehacker:

"The guys at the ABC are currently in the process of transitioning their video content from flash video to H.264 encoding (running at 600kbps), a process that should be completed by the end of the year. At the moment there are both formats on the iView platform and although the H.264 can still appear a little blocky at 50-odd inches, it’s still a lot more fluid than the flash vids that are still up there."

The news also comes as PS3 users also salivate over the launch of PlayTV, available tomorrow, which acts as a PVR (or Personal Video Recorder), in a similar fashion to Tivo and Foxtel IQ. PlayTV utilizes the PS3's inbuilt hard drive, so it will be of particular value to those with 120 or 250GB hard drives. I've got a feeling that it's going to be a very merry christmas for many PS3 users this Winter. With many square eyes, too.

iView is currently unmetred on AARNet, Adam Internet, Apex Internet (TransACT customers only), Cinenet, Comcen/SPIN, iinet, Internode, iPrimus and Westnet. Telstra and Optus customers can of course use the service too but should be warned that the service will be heavy on their download limits, with each 1 hour show totalling around about 250mb.

To download the update to your PS3, select 'System Update' in the 'Settings' section of the XMB. The update should take around 5-10 minutes in total, based on my personal experience.

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