Sony PS2

I am wondering about Sony PlayStation2. Is it just as good as any decent DVD player, or is it mainly for games and watching movies is sort of a side option? Is it possible to equip it with stereo speakers, etc.? Thanks.

Sasha

Yes, it is a decent DVD player. I'm not sure if you can equip it with stereo speakers, though you can easily find out by going to a store and looking at its outputs. Or you can ask one of your friends who have it to take a look. And then you can test it out too.

I'll be honest, the only time I used the PS2 as a DVD player was with someone who didn't have a remote (or it set up properly, I assume) and it was only a marginal experience. Since you can find a DVD player for 30-40 bucks, less than the cost of the remote, you are probably better off going that route.

I only ask because my fiance enjoys playing games and I enjoy movies. We already own a fine DVD player which is proudly displayed in the living room, so I was thinking about setting up a room with a PS2, a huge TV, and a comfortable divan for the sole purpose of such unhealthy entertainment. (To afford this fantasy I am going to have to get one more job or sell my soul or, possibly, both.)

[Post edited by Sashaofspain on Jan 15, 2004]

yes its actually a good dvd player. and yes it does have an optical out, that of course connects to your home theatre system. and then you can convert it to a 5.1(although it wont be true 5.1)

i have not had a problem playing back any discs on my PS2, not even discs that were NOT readable on my sony deck..which was surprising, since my sony PLAYS EVERYTHNG!

para tu recamara, estuviera bien sasha.
pero, pon le mas atencion a tu mujer, y menos al PS2..
heheheh

por que si no, vas a tener mas noches con el juego, y no con tu juego... :D

To fifer55, most models brought in are indeed older models, mostly the first ones that came out. The rate at which they are brought in is at least a handful each month. I have heard that the inside of the newer models are different and that the problems of the older model shouldn't happen. Notice I said shouldn't. Because of that I am wary to buy another PS2 (I went through two before giving up). I don't care to buy the thing, use it and in two years, have it break down... Maybe PS3 but who knows...
As for XBox, I can tell you that NO ONE ever brings it in with problems. I made the crossover to XBox and couldn't be happier. The discs for XBox are either silver or gold, so DVDs read even better than PS2.
And finally, I haven't heard of any burner for any system... Only thing new for PS2 is the hard drive coming out in February... Hope I've been some help to you, get an XBox! :D

Thanks for all of your generous feedback, in the answer of fifer55 even too generous. I will keep in mind your suggestion, dude.

posters5, on the dvd de-compression on the PS2, you said the keyword, on some titles, but the same is true for (in my experience) very high end dvd players, since they are not forgiving in terms of bit-rates on the disc. as far as the audio outputs, i agree.

drunkenmonkey2k2, i guess what i have to ask is what models are your clienst bringing back? i just got my PS2 like about 2 months ago.(im not home, so i cant give you the model number, but it does have the IR receiver unit). what i also did was take the liberty to but a optical lense. so i can be prepared to replace it if i have to. from what ive read online, it seems that its more of a problem of the lens getting dirty, nothing a can of compressed air cant take care of.
whats the rate that the clients are bringing back the systems as well.
how does X-box fare up? are you having the same problems with the x-box.
also, is it true that PS2 is coming out with a PS2 dvd-r burner, i cant remember where i heard that though.

thanks!

DO NOT USE IT FOR DVDs!!!!! Trust me on this, you will wear that laser down like crazy and in a couple of years, depending on when you bought it, the laser will be so worn out that it will be almost impossible to play anything. I work at a gaming store and you wouldn't believe how many people come in asking us to fix their ps2 (which we can't do anyways). My PS2 died on me as well.
It sounded so great when it first came out and Sony announced that it was backwards compatible and a DVD player. But what they didn't account for was the fact that the laser then had the task of reading black discs, purple discs, gold discs, and silver discs... It's just too much! You are better off just buying a seperate dvd player and using your ps2 strictly for games.