Dracoro

1 - Is the Playstation 2 any good at acting as a DVD player? Is it multi-region (does that matter?) Any missing DVD features that are crucial? etc.

2 - Do you get a memory card with a PS2 or do you have to get it separately?

3 - What are must have games? Gonna get Vice city (is The getaway any good? Looks like GTA Vice City to me)

Lastly - Is PS2 + GTA VC + Memory card for £180 good value? Can I get the PS2 cheaply on the high street?

Many thanks in advance

SWRTWannabe

The PS2 works fine as a DVD player - only drawback is that it has a cooling fan, so there is always the hum in the background - not that it's that noticable.

Control is using the standard controllers, but you can by a remote control. Don't have one, so I can't tell you any more about them.

IIRC you can get something (not sure if it's software or hardware) called Region X, that makes it region independent.

PS2's don't come as standard with memory cards, but shop around as most stores do different bundles, and some may have memory cards in them.

Gameswise, I'm into WRC II Extreme at the mo, Gran Turismo is also pretty good.

Edited to add that the deal that you mentioned looks reasonable, but I've not been looking at prices since I got mine - I'll only get depressed if it's cheaper


[Edited by SWRTWannabe - 2/5/2003 2:33:03 PM]

RB5320

works ok as DVD player but not multi-region I think. as I dont have another DVD player I cant say whether it is missing any features! What I would say is it is a pain in the butt using the normal controller - as soon as I get round to it I will invest in the remote control unit.
memory card is bought separately.
getaway is very good. depends what type of games you like. lord of the rings is excellent if you are into mindless violence.
180 quid sounds like a good deal.

Steve

Dream Weaver

Never had a "normal" DVD player, so cant compare, but it seems OK. A few of my DVD's (Shrek, Minority report, LOTR) skip now and then. Moreover, they seem to actually stop for a split second, then carry on. weird.

I have the remote from Sony, which makes it much easier to use - great investment.

Re games, get yourself Pro Evo Soccer 2, WRC2, GT3, GT Vice City, The Getaway, and others.

rb5 286

iTrader: (2)

2 b hones i have never tried a dvd on the ps2 as i have a dvd player that plays anything and everything and i need the dts/dolby digital sound quality

try dvd 2003
less then half price

rb5 286

iTrader: (2)

vice city is just a fantastic game, so addictive

the getaway has some nice touches and its great if u live or work in the city. one bit that i found really annoying was that when a animated part of the game came on u couldnt skip it, u had to watch it all

POSHBIRD

Game to get is Hitman 2:Silent Assassin, watch out for the man with the bunch of flowers!!!!!!!!! Also Colin Mcrae rally 3 is cool.

Scooby Dooby Blue

As far as using a PS2 as a DVD player goes, an uprated scart lead will sort out the picture (green screen) but the sound it always going to be pretty poor.
I remember having to crank the telly up to 3/4 volume to enjoy a film.
IIRC, HMV sell a DVD pack for the playststion 2 including scart lead, remote control and a Regoin X disc that allows you to play foreign DVDs.

If you are looking to buy one, Scoty is selling one in the For Sale section.
Console, with the Magic 2 chip, controller, memory card and 10 games. He's looking for £200 which is a snip when you consider getting a Magic 2 chip done is around £80

You can mail him at: slaw@ntlworld.com

Paul

Dracoro

Got the PS2!

Made an error on the price but still managed to get PS2, Memory card, GT Vice City, WRC2 and SSX for around 240 english pounds.

Will see how the DVD bit works but TBH I only want it to do just that. Not too fussed with bells and whistles (for now ).

Time to wire it up to my recently purchased 32" W/S TV Gonna have some fun this week!

Dream Weaver

Drac

Buy yourself a new Scart lead from HMV. Cant remember the make now, Blaze I think. £14.99 and has a switch for games/DVD, as well as gold plated connections, wire wheel etc.

The difference in picture quality is outstanding - best thing I have bought for it

Nimbus

Does the PS2 play miniDVDs (DVD Video on a CD-R)?

Dream Weaver

This is the one

Blaze scart

carl

I have a PS2 as my only DVD player (using the standard controllers). The only problem is that if you want to upgrade it properly, for the cost of RegionX + memory card (for RegionX software) + remote you could buy a 'proper' region-free DVD player

gregh

>> the sound it always going to be pretty poor

Sound is excellent from my PS2, using the optical audio out into a surround sound system

Greg

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

I use mine as a DVD and have everted to videos, it looses sync with the disk and occasionally just stops, the fan is a pain in the ****.

But then its better than the one in the pc.

havent got into the DVD thing

Scooby Dooby Blue

I had this happen a lot as well as the machine was readnig further into the disk.
Pausing the film then resuming after a couple of seconds usually sorted it for a while.

Paul

Dream Weaver

You could always install the new DVD driver, which you get with the Sony remote.

This stops the lip sync problems

Dracoro

What is meant by 'Green screen'???

Dream Weaver

Drac - when you use a normal scart lead, the screen goes all green. Apparently to stop people copying DVD's to video or something - works for me though (with the Blaze scart)

lpski1

The getaway is good, but it doesnt take long to finish and not much to do once you have finished it. If you like london and live there, you may appreciate it a bit more you can tend to get round quicker.

The ps2 also plays mpeg2 DVD's ie copy DVD's very well infact, where as you have to buy specific DVD players that will play DVD-R/RW audio/visual.

[Edited by lpski1 - 2/5/2003 3:23:14 PM]