PlayStation 3 accessories have come in both old and new flavours since the launch of the console. We’ve had our fair share of controllers, headsets, remotes and the other usual suspects, but along with them have come some original products that look to not just conform to, but rather enhance the PS3 experience.

One such device is the PlayStation Eye. While not an original creation, it is after all an enhanced version of the PS2’s Eye Toy peripheral, it is something unique that has the potential to take gaming to a higher level. The PlayStation Eye comes equipped with a high resolution digital camera that has functions such as zooming, panning and framing.

The frame rate and resolution are highly improved over its predecessor, providing crystal clear visual imagery. Video files can be saved to the HDD and then exported in multiple file formats to other devices via USB. It also has a built in microphone, making it ideal for online play.

The microphone features multi-directional voice tracking, and background noise and echo reduction, more than suitable for trash talking with an online opponent or for games with voice recognition.

Most exciting to gamers though are the introductions of completely original accessories. With PlayStation 3 often receiving early hype as one day having the potential to be a complete home entertainment package, this next accessory is perhaps not all that surprising.

It’s called PlayTV, and still being developed by Sony itself, with a scheduled launch in Europe set for September 2008. PlayTV can record television programs directly to the system’s HDD for later viewing. Even more exciting is that those programs can then be transferred via WiFi to Sony’s handheld PSP for watching while on the go.

One of the largest issues with the unit at present is its inability to record a program while simultaneously playing a game on the unit, which would arguably be one of the big selling points for the device. This dilemma may still be solved in time for the device’s launch, or shortly after in a future update if not at launch. The unit will retail for 100 Euros, approximately $155 U.S.