Official DVD Remote Control SCPH 10172-3 (PS2)

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 modelled 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, we 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 player, at least it now has a decent remote control that's on par with the big boys.--Mark Brooks

The remote is nice, nothing to get excited about really, it feels solid unlike some of the third party ones that have been released. The looks fit in with the PS2 well with the ridge around the outside. However, the master stroke is the CD that comes with it that you can download onto memory card. It gives you version 2.10 of the DVD player and although it takes up a massive 2.2MB of memory card space (over a quarter!) it gives you new functions like slow motion, 3-speed rewind/fast forward and, most usefully, an on-screen counter. The lack of a counter had annoyed me immensly about the original player.

If you already have a third-party remote, it's probably not worth shelling out - perhaps Sony has shot itself in the foot here by not releasing it earlier. However, it is well worth 20 if you are at all serious about using your black slab to play DVDs.


Excellent!!   January 13, 2002
 26 out of 28 found this review helpful

This is a nice piece of kit from Sony, probably the masters of "nice, well built kit". Not only does it look good, but it's also very reliable, easy to install and use and comes with everthing you need to get started (including batteries). The software update to version 2.10 is worth the money on its own since we were having some lip-synch problems on newer DVD films--but that's fixed now.

It does take 2.2MB of your memory card, but if you get really stuck you CAN delete the software, use your memory card, and then reinstall the software afterwards.

All-in-all, a very good piece of kit and one that's hard to get!!


Well, it's about time...   October 6, 2001
 41 out of 45 found this review helpful

So, you did it. You bought a PlayStation 2. You own probably the most advanced games console on the planet. Nice. Now try to convince your friends that this ultimate gaming machine is also a dedicated DVD player, while at the same time trying to play your copy of The Matrix using your Dual Shock Controller... feel a bit stupid now,don't you?

The biggest problem with DVD playback for the Playstation 2 is not the picture quality (which is excellent), but the lack of a decent remote control. Yes, I know there are plenty of third-party remotes on the market now, but having tried 2 of the 'better' ones, neither really comes close to the sort of high quality you associate with Sony.

Thankfully, the Official DVD Remote Control is finally available in Europe, and has gone some way to apologize for almost a year of waiting..

So, what do you get? It looks and feels like a 'real' remote control, and comes complete with batteries and a CD with brand new driver software on it. This is effortlessly downloaded to your 8Mb Memory Card (Sony assumes you' ve bought one.) Set it up and you're ready to go.

I won't waste time in this review telling you how great the new features are, or how you also have all the functionality of the Dual Shock Controller etc. After all, it's only a remote control for goodness sake. If you already have a decent third-party remote, it's unlikely to change your life. If, however, like me
you use your PlayStation 2 to play DVDs almost as much as playing Gran Turismo or Tekken, then you' ll be buying one of these, if only to restore your credibiity with all those people who told you to buy a real DVD Player. All in all, it's a wonderful piece of kit. Admittedly, it's a piece of kit that could (and eventually will) be included with the console itself, but it's worthy nevertheless.

So, Sony, what took you so long?


Official DVD Remote for PS2   February 14, 2002
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

Great piece of kit. With the receiver you plug into the front of the PS2, you can pretty much operate the DVD from another county- its THAT responsive. Fully recommended!