Torne

Description

Torne is a Japan-only TV viewing and recording system for the PlayStation 3 that combines a digital terrestrial TV tuner peripheral with a dedicated software application. The Torne setup lets you watch, schedule, and record digital terrestrial broadcasts right on the console, using the familiar PlayStation interface and DUALSHOCK 3 controller. It includes a colourful electronic program guide (EPG), quick search and genre filters, and even online-enabled features like Toru-Miru viewer statistics and internet search while watching.

In addition to live TV and scheduled recording, torne supports features that take advantage of the PlayStation ecosystem, such as transferring recorded video to a PSP for playback, using Remote Play to control TV functions from a PSP, and storing or playing back recordings on USB-connected external hard drives. Over time, updates expanded Torne’s capabilities, including keyword search of recordings and interfaces with Sony’s network recorder nasne.

The product redefined expectations for digital video recorders in the Japanese market. Reviewers noted that the “Torumiru” social features provided a sense of community that was previously absent from traditional television viewing. The successful integration of the PlayStation Vita as a portable viewing screen was a major technical success for the Sony ecosystem. Retrospectively it extended the use of the PlayStation beyond its original gaming purpose. In the decade prior to streaming services becoming ubiquitous.