Sony will be releasing a new accessory for the PlayStation 3 that’ll let you view and record digital TV programs onto a hard drive. Already made famous for packing a full-featured Blu-ray drive (as well as being an awesome gaming console overall), this new accessory gives the console even greater home entertainment potential.

Called the Torne, the add-on kit is basically a digital TV tuner that connects to the PS3 via a USB connection. Bundled software will let you record TV programs onto either the PS3’s built-in hard drive or up to eight compatible external USB drives. The Torne will also work with the PlayStation 3’s RemotePlay feature that allows users to watch TV programs and stored videos on their PSP handhelds.

As for what exactly qualifies something to be a “compatible drive” is unknown, but it seems Sony has been cooking up a labeling scheme that adds a “PS3 compatible” tag for storage devices from their partners that are designed to work with the console.

In other news, it seems the PS3’s upcoming motion-based controller has been given a name, if reports prove to be true. According to the reports, Sony has registered a domain called playstationarc.com, possibly confirming that the console’s new wand-like controller will indeed be called the “Arc.” But really, we don’t really care much about its name. We just want our PS3s to play like our Wiis. That’s Wii-fun with the PS3’s high-end graphics, plus the potential for some motion-based hack-and-slash violence. Motion-controlled Grand Theft Auto-style gaming sounds like fun.

The Arc is expected to be released sometime in the Fall, while the Torne is set for a March release date in Japan.

Tags: Consoles, Gaming, Gaming Gear, Home Entertainment, Playstation 3, Sony

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