Sony registers Arc domain, intros Torne TV tuner

An earlier report about Sony calling its PS3 Motion Controller the Arc has received more confirmation thanks to a recent report. This evidence is courtesy of a new domain registered by Sony, PlayStationArc.com. The device, due for a fall release date, will be a wand-like controller that will track free-air movement to interact with video games and is rumored to ship with every PS3 system alongside a traditional DualShock game pad.

At the same time, Sony held a press conference in Japan that showed off a new accessory for the PS3, called Torne, that will let users view and record terrestrial digital broadcasts. The digital TV tuner connects to the PS3 using a USB connection and ships with software that will let users record TVs onto the PS3's hard drive or other USB connected drives. As many as eight external USBs can be registered to work with the system while up to four can be connected to the gaming console simultaneously.

Exactly which third-party drives will be compatible with this system hasn't yet been announced, but Sony says it plans to have its partners sport stickers on their products that tout this capability.

The PS3's existing Remote Play functionality will let PSP owners watch TV programs on their handheld gaming device or use it to schedule recordings.
The Torne is said to become available in Japan in March, though pricing or plans to sell it outside of the home country haven't been announced. [via PlayStationLifestyle and SlashGear]

Sony Arc domain document

Sony Torne TV tuner and recorder

By Electronista Staff