Play your favorite movies without any wires or other hassles! Modeled to match the sleek design of the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the DVD Remote has all the features of a standard controller plus enhanced DVD capabilities. Discover even more DVD features with an updated version of the PlayStation 2 DVD driver for use with the DVD Remote Control - Slow Motion, Chapter Program, A=B Repeat, Shuffle, Repeat, and Three-Speed Scan are all accessible at the push of a button, as are all of the basic PlayStation 2 DVD functions such as Audio Track selection, Subtitle display, and Multi-Angle options.Two new buttons, the "Open/Close" button (opens and closes the disk tray from the remote) and the "Reset" button (duplicates the function of the Reset button located on the front of the PlayStation 2 console). Label text for the "Title" and "DVD Menu" buttons on the old remote has been changed to "Top Menu" and "Menu" respectively on the new remote. Functionality of these buttons remains unchanged. The new DVD remote will not be compatible with PlayStation 2 consoles having model numbers beginning with SCPH-30xxx, SCPH-35xxx, or SCPH-39xxx unless you already have an IR receiver (SCPH-10160). For PlayStation 2 console model numbers SCPH-30001 and SCPH-35001, you will need a copy of the DVD remote control software disc and a Memory Card (8MB) (for PlayStation 2).
Amazon.com Review
Admit it: all in all, the PS2 is a pretty good video game console, but it's a mediocre DVD player. Easily the most major sin Sony committed against DVDphiles was the initial unavailability of an official remote control. Because the PS2 gamepad is a stunningly poor substitute for a real remote, Sony's official remote control entry comes as a welcome, but not quite perfect, solution. Compared to most third-party PS2 remotes, Sony's design is much less childish. It's quite comfy, and, aside from a few extra buttons modeled after the PS2 controller (X, O, R1, R2, etc.), it features the same style as most of Sony's slick AV remotes. Tragically, Sony omitted both eject and power buttons. What were they thinking?
The supplied new software drivers add quite a bit of functionality to the PS2, making it almost as feature-packed as a regular low-end DVD player. Three-speed scan, slow motion, A-B play, shuffle, chapter program, and other enhancements have now been added to the PS2's playback capabilities. Most of these features require the remote to access. Also, to use the drivers, you'll need to keep a PS2 memory card (where the new software is stored) and the IR receiver constantly plugged into a gamepad port--a minor headache. Also, while most of the problems with untimely frame skipping are solved, I still found the chapter rewind to be somewhat slow and unresponsive.
DVD fiends who can bear Sony's tiny control buttons will find this model easily the most functional of the PS2 remotes. While the PS2 will never replace a full-fledged DVD box, at least it now has a decent remote control that's on par with the big boys. --Mark Brooks
Pros: Full-featured DVD remote looks and acts similar to most AV gear DVD software adds many new features for picture setup and playback Comfortable in the average-size hand Cons: Requires use of a memory card and a controller port to operate Tiny buttons No power or eject buttons Sluggish chapter rewind