Sony may want to check that it’s not breaking any advertising standards here, as the PlayStation TV seems like a pretty poor video streaming system. Back at E3 2014 earlier in the year, a laborious Shawn Layden monologue mentioned that the diminutive device would host plenty of “video and music streaming services”. As it turns out, it hardly has any.
Those picking up the unit in North America today are just learning that the only options for content consumption are Crunchyroll, Crackle, and the Japanese giant’s own Video Unlimited. Meanwhile, the likes of Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, and Hulu are all missing in action. There's not even a YouTube app, though videos can be watched using the device's web browser.
Fortunately, the slim system still has access to plenty of gaming content, spanning some 700 titles across various formats. The platform holder also unlocked PlayStation Now access in North America today, increasing the platform’s portfolio with rentable PlayStation 3 releases. All the same, we’re not sure how a product with ‘TV’ in the title ships without Netflix.
[source kotaku.com, via techradar.com]
Comments 31
What's that sound? Oh it's Sony losing a sale.
dissapointed but still going to buy vita TV. I hope netflix will be compatible soon...
@Godsire, i hear a whiner ! Netflix will be compatible sooner or later... Just play some games likes killzone mercenary or the most part of the psp library
I still want one, too, but I do agree that launching without Netflix is pretty baffling. It's more curious when you consider that the apps are already developed and compatible with Vita.
Funny.. I don't even know what Netflix is, Portugal along with other countries do not get to know what it does.
With this said, until we get Netflix here (and that would be awesome) articles such as this have no effect on me, sadly
Its a pile of crap, the pathetic memory, poor selection of services and pointless bundle are a big turn off. They really haven't a clue with this. I think the memory card situation more than anything is beyond a disgrace, they should be subsidising the memory cards and not ripping us off, do they not understand that lack of memory limits purchasing power, seriously though... wtf are they thinking.
Despite no doubt being called a whiner...access to Netflix and Amazon instant were key reasons I wanted the PS TV, remote access to the PS4 and access to vita games were secondary. I can just go with one of its competitors and get what I want.
@Bad-MuthaAdebis I was excited about it until the double whammy of it lacking much streaming ability and it using the stupidly expensive memory cards. I imagine streaming support will come at some time but I don't have much reason to rush out and buy one at launch anymore.
@Bad-MuthaAdebis well put.
I really don't understand Sony or are they purposely put to the back of the queue for 3rd party apps? Worry for Sony :s
Ive got to be honest I couldnt care less about netflix , amazon etc streaming. I want this sorely for the games and although of course sony couldnt easily add access to the likes of netflix I almost like the fact they havent put it on there. Sony have realised its about games, people see "playstation" and they want games. microsofts biggest mistake was putting games second. I think sony learned massively from the PS3, when it comes down to it people dont overly give a crap about media devices that can do everything.
@Godsire- That's them losing tens of thousands of sales. I'd say millions, potentially, but I don't see this unit doing that well even if it had Netflix and all of that.
I'm sure they'll add this functionality later but that's like releasing a cell phone where text messaging will be added by a later patch. It's just not done.
@Munkyknuts It's quite possible that Apple TV's getting a refresh in a couple of days. I don't think the hardware will be upgraded, just the software, but it's worth keeping an eye out for. Supposedly it'll add app support. Rumors have been circulating for while now so I'm not getting my hopes up, but it would be nice.
@glassmusic Apple TV would be my other choice since I already have the iPhone/iPad. I'm sure (I hope I have reason to be sure) that support for Netflix and Amazon instant will be added to the PS TV. I'm not saying I won't get it but I'm not going to be rushing off to get it at launch...I'll wait till Christmas time and see how it's getting supported. If it doesn't look great I'll go with a different option.
It seams like Sony wants anything associated with Vita to fail. I bet money they wont support 1000+ games at the end of it's life cycle. What a joke.
More bull out of an SCEA exec's mouth. What a shock.
Sony is getting awfully complacent. Time to root the xboxone on!! It's the only way they'll wake up!! These are elementary errors they're making!! I don't understand what's up with these guys lately??? First drive club, now this ? On top of delays and a weak holiday 1st party line up!! Tsk tsk. Don't get me wrong I love my ps4! Been pro Sony since the ps1, but they need a swift kick in the pants.
@Sanquine
A "whiner"? How am I "whining" by demanding Netflix on a device that was designed to be a media player?
Oh yea, I am completely out of line. :-
@Dual-shock-spok
X1, Wii U- or even better, both- doesn't matter to me I just hope MS and Nintendo pull out the stops to take PS4 down a bit because Sony absolutely needs to be knocked down a peg or two right now. And in addition to the simple stuff that you mentioned there's also the fact the now $50 a year PSN is having issues every freaking week for the last month. I always let PSN slide because it was free but now that's it's paid for like XBL I expect a similarly solid experience. It's not happening and that's not acceptable.
@get2sammyb when is the playstation tv(internet tv) service due to come out?
i have a roku its awesome and my vita still plays vita games (although there arentmany to my specific liking) so i will pass.
@Godsire- I've got some bad news for you and anyone of whom if may concern...
http://m.neogaf.com/showthread.php?t=912566
This device is pointless, just get a vita, or like me get a Sony xperia z3 smartphone, you can install any apps from the Android store so you get Netflix, bbc iplayer all the UK tv services, you get all the Sony streaming services and from November you can use remote play on ps4 to stream your games. It also has native support for dualshock 3 and 4 so you can play all the games off the Android store or your ps4. And if you want you can install a ps emulator to play ps games cheap.
@supergurr Yea the z3 is a great device for what you listed however it does none of those things on the TV. Thats the point of Playstation TV. (well its supposed to be).
At less American have access to Crunchyroll app on a Vita (And Netflix) unlike EU
It would be a day 1 purchase for me if vita had more media apps in the eu, sorry Sony I'll be keeping my money
@Punished_Boss
Ugh. Why, Sony?! Why?!!! (holds hand up to sky)
Not Much TV coming from the PSTV. My wife was very disappointed that some of the Vita games she was interested in cannot be played but no Neflix?!?!.. She dismissed the device immeadiately. Ill try to sell her on the PS4 streaming feature but Sony needs to get in on this device. Wasting potential. Id throw everythjng into this thing. Just open it up completely. Same with Vita. If you are not going to support the devices then let us the community do so.
I won't be buying this then
@eLarkos just use the screen mirroring feature on the z3 and it will use your tv as the display
I ain't worried I'm still getting it, if it ever gets release here in SA
I will say it is pretty weird that the main streaming services that Americans use aren't present by default this is just as bizarre as the features that were missing from ps4's launch but whatever patience is the key and they will be there soon I will be picking one of these up most definitely next year
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