• 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

The package ships with an instruction manual, the DVD Player 2.1 disk, two AAA batteries, a small stub IR receiver. The first disappointment is that the receiver is NOT a passthrough. Fortunately, it is designed to fit the second controller slot. Swapping the stub for a controller is only an issue then for two player games.

The remote control has some other disappointments. The DVD Player 2.1 software, essentially a firmware update, installs on a memory card and consumes a lot of real estate in the process. It only works with memory slot 1 and the entire copy takes 2.2MB, a quarter of the card's capacity. In an era where the most basic computer devices are all 'flashable,' it's a mystery why Sony didn't keep a more careful eye on future revisions. After all, I have flashed my computer motherboard, DVD player, and home network equipment with firmware updates. All of these devices carried some fashion EPROM (electronically programmable memory). And they all sold for less than a Sony Playstation, so it's hard to blame this short sitedness on cost. It's a mystery why Sony didn't forsee a similar eprom need in their console (read poor planning). Instead of flashing an internal chip then, Sony forces us to copy a new copy to a memory card, making the existing ROM so much silicon gathering dust. The DVD Player 2.1 software can be manipulated just like any other saved game. You can delete and copy it back at will. The remote will work without it too, although without the software to support it most buttons won't work as advertised.

Luckily, the improvements are significant and probably offset the disappointments enough to make this a good purchase. The new remote control and player software are feature rich adding many needed improvements to the DVD playback on the PS2. The most anticipated difference for me was the multi-speed scan. With the new player, it is now possible to scan through a DVD at 2x 4x and 8x speeds. The next best feature is an actual time clock, showing chapter progress time, remaining time, feature progress time and remaining time. The original player only showed chapter stops. Sony layed out the DVD remote buttons in a logical and clear fashion. It includes every button you could want in a decent arrangement. Even chapter selection is there. The remote is a hybrid, including all of the shock controller buttons with the exception of only the analog sticks. It's nice - it rivals any other DVD remote. I read one review that said you could control power with this remote. This is not true. There is no labeled on/off button nor does the manual mention it. Other esoteric features are repeat (is this for a video store?) and shuffle (?), which are questionable even for concert DVDs. Maybe someone out there can find purpose to them.

I've never had any trouble with DVD playback having successfully watched dozens of titles on the PS2 now. Other people have complained about incompatible DVDs in the past. The new player software may address these issues. Sony claims this unit is compatible with any disk stamped with the DVD logo. I'm guessing it's a region 1 player and not region free, although I can't verify this for sure. I'm sure a hack is on its way if not already available.

Overall, it's a good purchase. The $20 ranks it among the cheapest accessories. It does it's job very well and transforms the console into a decent DVD player. But the real complaint, the one that ranks it at four stars, is that Sony didn't get it right the first time. Perhaps they underestimated the demand for DVD playback. I'm convinced it won't be long before some electronics genius burns the player to a ROM and sells it as a 'mod chip.' Until then, Sony is the only act in town that can provide these improvements. Actually, there's probably a way to distribute the new player via a Game Shark. Legality is at stake of course.

Bottom line: if a remote is a must have, this is the only one to consider.

84 of 88 found the following review helpful:


what sony said  Jul 07, 2004 By O. Vorobyeva "sweetyqbk"
There are two different DVD remote controls (for PlayStation(R)2):

SCPH-10171 DVD remote control (for PlayStation(R)2) with IR Receiver Unit
SCPH-10420 DVD remote control (for PlayStation(R)2)

The SCPH-10171 is compatible with all models of the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system.
The packaging for this peripheral contains the following items:

1 DVD Remote Control (for PlayStation(R)2)
1 IR Receiver Unit (for PlayStation(R)2)
1 DVD Driver Disc

The SCPH-10420 is only compatible as packaged with the following model numbers of the PlayStation 2
console:

SCPH-50001
SCPH-50010
SCPH-50001N
SCPH-50010N

Because the models mentioned above contain a built-in Infrared (IR) Receiver and pre-installed
drivers for the DVD Remote Control, the packaging for the SCPH-10420 does not contain an IR Receiver
Unit or a DVD Driver Disc.

The SCPH-10420 contains the following new features:

Power/Reset button
Eject button

The SCPH-10420 is compatible with the following model numbers, provided you already have an IR
receiver and the appropriate software*: SCPH-30001, SCPH-35001, SCPH-30001R, SCPH-39001, SCPH-39010,
SCPH-39001N, and SCPH-39010N. However, the Power/Reset, and Eject buttons will not function with
these models of the PlayStation 2 console.

20 of 20 found the following review helpful:


Be sure of what model your console is before you buy  Jan 13, 2004 By Andrew Stevenson "drew and not u"
Before you buy this, verify what moel your PS2 is. This remote is only for older models. The newer PS2s have many more features then the older ones, including a built in IR reciever(meaning you don't have to fill up a controller port with an external one), higher FF and RR scan speeds, and a progressive scan mode (for HD televisions). If your PS2 is one of these, then you need to buy the updated DVD Remote, which has both power and eject buttons and does not unclude and update disk or controller port IR receiver(as they are unnecessary.) If you have an older model, then this Sony remote is the way to go, as it is higher quality than those from third party brands. As for the lack of power and eject bottons on this remote, it would be impossible to include them. The IR receiver plugs into the controller port which is part of the game interface, and therefore inactive when the system is on standby.

43 of 51 found the following review helpful:


BEST REMOTE EVER (power button not possible)  Nov 08, 2001 By C. Shumate "LiquidNinja"
i got this remote the day it came out. after long anticipation for it i was quite pleased. it works great and with the dvddriver upgrades (included on cd-rom) makes the ps2 a much more credible/real dvd player. the driver upgrade onto the memory card (not required for newer ps2s)does take up about 1/4 of a normal 8mb memory card, but the cards are so huge it really doesnt make that much of a difference.

the main reason i have for writing this review is to address the complaints about the remote not having a power button. i agree this would be a FABULOUS feature, however it would not be good for the life of your ps2. **you are NEVER supposed to put the machine on standby with a game or dvd still inside** check your owners manual if you want to read it for yourself. (also you dont want to turn it completely off by the switch on the back unless it will be off for a prolonged time, like several days.... that's why the on/off switch is on the back instead of the front)

so anyways, my point is that a power button is not possible so dont blame the remote. this is a fantastic dvd remote that absolutely blows every 3rd party remote previously released out of the water. if you own a ps2 and watch dvds on it, this is definately a must-have item. MUST HAVE. so hurry up and buy it already!

20 of 22 found the following review helpful:


Let's clear up all the confusion  May 22, 2003 By 4MaskCurse "Kyonshi Jiang Shi"
Yes,the dvd remote for the ps2 is excellent,but I am writing this review to inform other ps2 owners as well as dismiss some myths.There seems to be alot of conflicting information from diffrent reviewers....

First and most importantly,the dvd remote does not have a power button for one simple reason;you MUST turn off the back switch when you are done playing your ps2 for the day(like when you are ready to go to bed)The ps2 SHOULD NOT be left on stand by mode every night for 8-10 hours.Doing so will result in the parts burning our faster because the machine never has a chance to shut
down.The only way you can damage your ps2 by turning off the back
switch,is if you repeatedly shut off the back switch but plan to play later the same day.In other words,if you plan to play the ps2 later during the day,but want to do something else,it is okay to put it in standby mode.Just remember to shut off the ps2 completely before you go to bed each night.

Secondly the review posted by "bigsojoe2" is extremely inaccurate;watching alot of dvds on your ps2 DOES NOT wear the system out.You can watch as many dvds as you like as often as you
like.The ps2 reads all the ps1 games,ps2 games,dvds and cds with the same laser that is capable of doing so.I even called the sony
help line twice to dispell this rumor.Both workers sounded suprised and even kinda laughed when I told them about the dvd wearing out story.I own 2 ps2s,and I bought one of them during the first year of it's release(watching many dvds on it since) and all of it's diffrent functions work properly.

I hope this info was helpful to you.

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