Sony will test PlayStation 3 owner interest in adding the ability to record terrestrial broadcasts with the Torne add-on device. The devices enable PS3 users to record terrestrial TV broadcasts to their PS3 hard drives or an external hard drive when the device is connected to the PS3 over USB.

Torne offers a slick interface on the PS3 that users can navigate to schedule and playback recordings. Scheduled recordings can be completed, even when the PS3 unit is in standby mode or while the PS3 is being used for other functions such as game playing or DVD/Blu-ray playback.

The Torne add-on should not be confused with the Sony European offering that goes under the name of PlayTV that is an HD receiver and recording product. The PlayTV product has been around in the European space since fall of 2008 from what we remember. The Torne offering in Japan is said to be a testing of sorts to see if significant interest may exist to offer a similar product in other markets, according to a source that we spoke with.

Torne will arrive in March in Japan and will be offered as a standalone in a very limited edition PlayStation 3 bundle. The PS3 bundle is expected to include the 250GB unit as well as the Torne add-on. Our sources expect that Sony will continue to evaluate the acceptance and use of the Torne add-on, as well as what they have learned from the PlayTV offering before deciding if this direction is worth looking at in order markets; and it is expected that this will take at least several more months before a decision is reached as to the future potential of the device.