[dropcap size=dropcap]Y[/dropcap]esterday, Sony Computer Entertainment Japan Asia held a press conference announcing all sorts of news about the PlayStation family. They presented a new model of PlayStation Vita (thinner and lighter), they have confirmed the release date for PlayStation 4 in Japan (February 22, 2014) and some of the game titles available for these two consoles. Then, they have showed us what it proved to be a complete and positive surprise: PlayStation Vita TV.
PlayStation Vita TV is a micro-console capable of playing PS Vita games (it also includes a card reader for this format), PSP games and games from the Playstation Classics Collection (old games that were initially available for the PS1 console).
PS Vita TV does not have a display, instead, it will use the TV Set (it includes a video HDMI output of 480p/720/1080i). The box also includes the Dual Shock 3 gamepads as controllers.
Therefore, in the first instance, PS Vita TV will not be compatible with absolutely all game titles designed for PS Vita as it misses the functionalities provided by the touch screen available on the handheld console. However, most likely, Sony will begin offering patches for older titles to make them work properly wit PS Vita TV. After the release of the next gen console PS4, PS Vita TV will also receive support for the Dual Shock 4 controller via a software update.
PS Vita TV will also be compatible with Music Unlimited and Video Unlimited services offered by Sony, and a host of other providers of similar content (currently only the initial two services were confirmed in Japan).
Moreover, PS Vita TV can be used as a compatible device with the stream originated from a PlayStation 4. In other words, while the main TV where the PS 4 is connected is busy, PS Vita owners will be able to connect their micro-console to another TV in the house and play PS4 titles on it, through video stream.
PlayStation Vita TV will be released in Japan on November 14 2013. It will be available in stores at a price starting from 9954¥ ($100). There will also be available a PS Vita TV Value Pack that will include a white Dual Shock 3 controller, a Playstation Plus subscription for 90 days and a 8 GB memory card for approximately $150.