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Junk TV Gives PlayStation 2 Video Sharing

Posted by simoniker on from the eye-toy-reappropriation dept.

Thanks to GameGossip for reprinting the press release announcing the release of Datel's unofficial Junk TV software for PlayStation 2, which allows UK-based users with a PS2, broadband connection, and the already million-selling USB Eye Toy peripheral to "record great video messages and share them with your friends over the internet. Store your video clips on Datel's Max TV server, and download messages recorded by others." The PS2 disc, which, interestingly, hasn't passed Sony approval, promises you can "record messages of up to a minute in length", and then "browse the uploaded clips by type, looking for soap-box rants, karaoke performances, games tips and more", although it's unclear whether messages will be vetted before being made public. Update: 12/15 23:11 GMT by S : The Junk TV site is now online, and reveals there's a U.S. version of the software called Max TV.

19 comments

  1. I Just Saw This... by GTRacer · · Score: 3, Informative
    I can't remember which store, but I was browsing games at the Florida Mall in Orlando, and at the bottom shelf of a unit full of those stupid Cheat disks was this Junk TV Disk.

    At least I think it was - don't remember the name. It was DEFINITELY a Datel product for the EyeToy touting these kinds of video acitivies though. And I'm fairly certain it was for NTSC|U/C.

    I thought it was neat to see non-Sony support for the EyeToy. I'd really like to see what future games do with it, besides built-in face-mapping.

    Kinda how Manhunt uses the headset to "whisper" directly in your ear...

    GTRacer
    - ichiban posuto ka

    --
    Defending IP by destroying access to it? That makes sense, RIAA/MPAA. Go to the corner until you can play nice!
    1. Re:I Just Saw This... by simoniker · · Score: 1

      I'd be interested to see if this'll ever be released in the States - it doesn't seem to be available on any US game store websites, and I can't find much info about it at all online, not even on Datel's site.

  2. A minute? by Hedonist123 · · Score: 2, Interesting
    Seems like a little too short of a time for this to really hit the market decently. I can't see a single minute of video clip being useful for things like karaoke and the others listed in the article. Unless there is a seemless way to merge several of them after downloading, maybe I missed that.

    Speaking of missing things, I really don't understand the Eye Toy. Does anyone own one? If they've sold a million of them, there must be some decent use to them. When I first saw them I thought they looked like just a little gimmick add-on, sort of like the gameboy camera. Maybe I just haven't looked into it enough.

    hed.

    --
    http://goldysmom.blogspot.com
    1. Re:A minute? by Tiersten · · Score: 3, Informative

      I've got an EyeToy and it's okay. I've only got the basic disc that comes with the EyeToy though. There is an add on disc that is one of the bundled games (the dancing one) but expanded more but I don't have that.

      The EyeToy is innovative anyway. The actual games you play with it are quite basic but are quite enjoyable if you've got a few friends around. If you play it by yourself then it'd be really boring after the first few goes.

      It's basically a reasonable webcam with audio support really and some fancy software. As to whether this is a gimmick or a good product is personal opinion really. Some people love it and others think it is the most pointless thing ever. You could say this about most things though so *shrug*

      The bundled disc that comes with the EyeToy has a basic video message function in it. You don't upload them to a server however, it saves onto memory cards. It records quite fuzzy video and audio together. What Datel have done is bolt on broadband functionaility onto something similar they made in house it seems.

    2. Re:A minute? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How is it innovative if it just copies what has been done on the PC for years already?

    3. Re:A minute? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Please point out another console that has done this before?

    4. Re:A minute? by davidhan · · Score: 2, Insightful

      It probably won't be a mainstream hit, but it could be a 'cult' hit. A minute might be longer than you think. I mean most tv commercials are 30 seconds, some are even 15 seconds.

    5. Re:A minute? by xTown · · Score: 1

      The EyeToy seems like a lot of fun. At least, it's neat to demo it in a store. It would be neat to have one, although I bet it would get old after a few hours kicking and slapping at the air just to see what happens on the video screen.

    6. Re:A minute? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh I'm sorry. It has been around for 5 years but just because it shows up on a different platform, it is now to be taken as innovation? Has the bar been set low or what?

  3. Huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative
    PS2 disc, which, interestingly, hasn't passed Sony approval


    How is this "interesting"? Aren't all of Datel's products unlicensed?
    1. Re:Huh? by simoniker · · Score: 2

      It's interesting, imho, because I'm not sure how far Datel can go into making actual products with actual features before Sony come after them more determinedly. OK, Action Replay products are one thing - they clearly act on other games. But Junk TV, unless you suggest it 'acts' on Eye Toy, is arguably a standalone product. How do they get away with with it, and will they continue to? Kinda intriguing.

    2. Re:Huh? by fondue · · Score: 1

      Simple (non-legalese) answer: Because their software products are not games, so they aren't treading on anyone's toes.

      Equally amazing are their Action Replay and Freeloader products for the GameCube, where they've actually reverse-engineered Nintendo's proprietary disc format.

      This JunkTV sounds like a boon for Sony, as it will drum up interest in two PS2 peripherals (Eye Toy and Network Adapter) that as yet have only been adopted by a minority of PS2 owners (although a minority of 60+ million units is still a lot of users).

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  4. Is there any doubt.... by MBraynard · · Score: 2, Funny
    Annonymous computer network + cameras = pr0n

    So I guess now you will be able to have Goatse on your playstation. Hurrah!

    1. Re:Is there any doubt.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think even they realize this -- just check out the demo clips on the junktv site... the choice of 'spokeswomen' can't be coincidental...

  5. Why bother with this? by xQuarkDS9x · · Score: 1

    I have to really wonder why Datel is bothering with something so unuseful (IMHO) to begin with. What with the current bugs and problems with their Action Replay line of cheat products which should be fixed and updated, plus the fact that Datel really needs to improve upon their forum and customer support.

    --
    You must master your joystick like a fisherman masters bait! - Gimpy
    1. Re:Why bother with this? by Acidic_Diarrhea · · Score: 1
      You can't figure out why a company would rather release a product that can generate revenue rather than spend money on upgrading support? Uh, because they want to make money.

      [And yes, I know that offering better customer support and improving the overall quality of your product line will increase joy-joy feelings within your customers and get you a better reputation and lead to more customers and thus more profit in the long run BUT all of that works in theory. Customers buy what is on the store shelves. Money spent on making the customer happy is better spent on advertising and getting favorable reviews of products.]

      --
      I hate liberals. If you are a liberal, do not reply.
  6. Buyer Beware by doublesix · · Score: 1

    The PS2 disc, which, interestingly, hasn't passed Sony approval

    I bought a similar product: the disc it came on was a modified 'blue' PSOne disc and refuses to boot consistently. Part of our tale of woe is here.
    The company has been promising (properly) re-manufactured replacements for months but no luck yet.