Playstation 2 DVD player

By James Anthony

One of the big selling points of the Playstation 2 (PS2) has been the additional benefit of being a Digital Versatile Disc player.

If you ever get tired of playing games, you can put in a disc, settle back and chill out while watching a movie or two.

So, just how good is the PS2 as a DVD movie player?

Firstly, if you take the view that primarily it's a games machine and that the DVD capability is a bonus, it's inexpensive at $750.

The 4-times DVD player whirrs around at a great - and less than quiet - rate of knots, but then my Pioneer 525 is a noisy brute, too, and I cannot play PS2 games on that.

Image-wise, the PS2 is a very solid entry-level unit for DVDs and to say there was a lot of difference between it and an entry-level, stand-alone player, would be fibbing.

The biggest drawback of the PS2 as a DVD player, is the control. You have to use the console's control pad and, it must be said, that takes some practice to get used to.

You have a two-metre cord with the controller, so you don't need to sit right up against the screen, and then it's a matter of picking your options.

People who are used to the Sony hand controllers will pick the system up quickly, with your set-up options, system adjustments and DVD navigation accessed through the gamepad's buttons.

Your L1 and R1 buttons advance or reverse the movie chapters, while the L2 and R2 fast forward or reverse. The direction arrows take you through your menu and play/pause comes via the symbol keys.

If that sounds too tough, there should be a remote control designed soon to take the hassle out of couch-potatoing.

All up, the PS2 is solid value - even at the high price of $750. For a games machine that plays DVDs it is good value, but the price tag for non-gamers may be too much for what you will get.

Still, you could always take up gaming and halve your costs.