Sony is expected to launch a digital tuner for the Playstation 3 early next year, offering TV recording functions to the console. The information was confirmed by Warwick Light, of Sony Computer Entertainment New Zealand, in an interview with a local newspaper.

"We (Sony) can transform the PS3 capabilities so as to meet people's changing entertainment needs," he said.

"We're also hoping next year – about the same time that Freeview launches its terrestrial broadcasting service (expected to be in March) – to release a digital tuner for the PS3, turning it into a programmable TV recorder," light added.

Sony has not officially confirmed the information yet.