PlayStation 2 DVD Remote
Platform:  PlayStation 2
Memory Usage:  2,200 kb
 
 
 
 

    One of the special features that the PlayStation 2 contains is the ability to play DVD movies right out of the box without the need for special accessories or adapters.  While this sounds like a wonderful part of "the PlayStation experience" the built in DVD player had compatibility problems.  The biggest being just that, compatibility.  Quite a few DVD movies didn't perform how they were intended to on the PS2 and for that matter some wouldn't play at all.  Now here just over a year after the US launch of the PS2, Sony releases their version of the PS2 remote, included with it is the magic disc that will make all your DVD woes disappear.

    The remote itself isn't all that new, there have been a few well designed third party remotes tricking through the market over the past year.  Yet the Sony one is very sleek and well designed giving easy access to all your DVD functions.  The remote is designed along the same lines as the console itself, the same color black with a blue PS2 logo and ridges on the sides similar to the ones on the front of the console.  All the functions are clearly marked and can easily be reached from any position since the remote is so thin.  The IR receiver is also very small and sleek.  It plugs into the second controller port, leaving the first port open and unobstructed.

    Yet the most sought after part of the package is the update CD which will install the most recent DVD drivers to a PS2 memory card.  This much needed patch, especially for early owners of the PS2, repairs nearly all DVD problems the console had in the past.  Problems such as skippy audio and video, disc read errors, and DVD movies locking up are addressed and repaired in this update.  It may seem that most people will purchase the DVD remote for the update disc rather than the remote itself.

    Installation is simple.  With the PS2 turned off, inset the IR receiver into the second controller port, a standard PS2 gamepad into the first controller port, and a PS2 memory card with at least 2,200 kb of memory free into the first memory card slot.  Turn on the system, put in the upgrade disc, and the rest will pop up on the screen.  After a few seconds the new DVD drivers are copied onto your memory card and the installation is completed.  Now all you need to do to have improved DVD performance is to have the memory card you installed the DVD update onto in the first memory card socket when you watch DVD movies.  The PS2 will use the version 2.10 DVD driver on the memory card rather than the hardware driver that the PS2 has internally.

    If you have a more recent PlayStation 2 (model number 30001R) you already have the version 2.10 drivers installed and don't need to use the installation disc.  The model number can be found on the back of the console itself.  Either way you have the best PlayStation 2 DVD remote out there, for the same price as the third party knock-offs.  This is a must own accessory if you regularly use your PS2 to play DVD movies, especially if you have an older version of the console.

What is included:
DVD remote control for PlayStation 2
IR receiver unit for PlayStation 2
DVD player version 2.10 upgrade disc
Two size AAA batteries
Instruction booklet

Suggested Price: $19.99
 

Last amended 03-23-05 by David, insanedavid@classicplastic.net

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