Key Details Arrive Ahead PlayStation TV Release

A new Sony blog post is providing potential buyers with the details they’ll need to know ahead of the PlayStation TV release about a week from now on October 14th. Interesting takeaways include details on exactly what the PlayStation TV will and won’t be able to do at launch and more.

Among the key PlayStation TV release details shared by Sony today are the devices’ storage capacity and video game compatibility.

Every PlayStation TV will come with 1GB of built-in storage. Sony says that users will be able to save games to this 1GB of storage, but it’ll also hold the system’s firmware and operating system. Sony didn’t share how much of that 1GB will be useful, though. The company is encouraging users who plan on purchasing games from the PlayStation Network to invest in a media card to put in the back of the PlayStation.

When originally launched abroad the PlayStation TV was called the Vita TV, mostly because the PlayStation TV’s internal hardware and software are basically what users get when they purchase a PlayStation Vita handheld. Despite the similarities, there will be some software distances. Mobile Vita apps like Near, Map, Welcome Park and Network Operator won’t be available on the PlayStation TV. Those being missing won’t likely upset potential buyers, but another detail will. Sony says Remote Play for the PlayStation 3 won’t be available. That’s a huge feature omission given the PS3’s huge install base. On the other hand, PlayStation TV will support Remote Play for PS4 Mobile.

In another strange turn of events buyers will be able to use the PS4’s Dual Shock 4 controller with the PlayStation TV, but the controller’s headset and speaker ports won’t work. Additionally, the PS TV won’t support standard definition televisions – though how serious a problem that is depends on individual users.

Software itself seems a bit decent. At launch the PlayStation TV will support games made for the PS Vita, PSP and the PS One. Users will need to download these games through the PlayStation Network and onto a media card put into the PlayStation TV. Sony’s PlayStation Now service is available on the PlayStation TV. That’s the service that lets users stream PS3 games from Sony’s service for a flat fee.

Sony is also doing users a very decent favor. Instead of forcing PlayStation TV users to purchase new copies of their games, compatible game purchases from the PlayStation Vita will transfer over to the PlayStation TV free of charge.

About the only outrageous announcement being made about the PlayStation TV by Sony is the company admitting that the micro-console won’t support DLNA streaming technology of any kind at launch. “No, the PS TV system does not support client functionality for media servers” the feature matrix reads. Sony doesn’t confirm whether users will be able to play media off the console’s media card either. Those are pretty big omissions for a device that’s being billed as a television set-top box.

The PlayStation TV is part video game console, part set-top box. Sony has already admitted to developing a streaming television service. When that launches the PlayStation TV will likely become a cheap way to enjoy it instead of requiring users to pick up a $399 PS4. GottaBeMobile broke down many of the PlayStation TV’s features just last week in What is the PlayStation TV.

Read: What Is The PlayStation TV

On November 14th the PlayStation TV will come in two different versions. The PlayStation TV Limited Edition bundle will include a DualShock 3 controller, a PlayStation TV, an HDMI cable, a USB cable, an 8GB media card and a code for redeeming The Lego Movie Videogame for $139.99. A basic PlayStation TV bundle that includes a HDMI cable, will cost $99. Users will need a DualShock 3 or DualShock 4 controller for that version.