Xbox 360 set-top box won't record TV

BT has confirmed the new set-top box for Xbox 360 won't allow you to view or record live television.

As announced earlier this week, the telecoms company has signed a deal with Microsoft to offer 360 owners access to the BT Vision service. At present, BT Vision users receive Freeview TV channels via a set-top box which also works as a digital video recorder.

The Xbox 360 service, due to launch this summer, will only be available to BT Broadband subscribers. It will offer users access to on-demand movies, near-live FA premier League matches and other content. Users won't require a set-top box, but they won't enjoy all the benefits of BT Vision other users get.

Speaking to the BBC a spokesperson said, "The reason for streaming only on the Xbox is because currently the console does not have the capability for live TV or enough hard drive for practical downloading of content."

Microsoft could face stiff competition in the face of PlayTV, the new television and personal video recorder for PS3. As revealed at last year's Leipzig Games Conference, it will let users watch and record live TV and can be controlled remotely via PSP. PlayTV is due to launch in the UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain early this year.

UPDATE: Microsoft has since contacted Eurogamer to clarify matters. Apparently. Here's what they have to say: "Xbox 360 is able to offer the complete Microsoft Mediaroom experience, including both live TV and VOD, when delivered over an Internet Protocol (IP) network.

"BT Vision is unique in that it does not deliver live TV over IP. It delivers live TV over antenna-based digital terrestrial television (DTT) to a set-top-box. There are currently 13 other service providers delivering commercial TV services with the Mediaroom platform, and each of them delivers a live TV service that could potentially be accessed via the Xbox 360.

"That said, BT Vision customers can transfer live television content to their Xbox 360 that they have captured on their set top box."

Anyone?