How good is the DVD playback on the PS2???

[YahooUser]

Is the DVD playback on the PS2 as beloved patriot as their entry level
DVD player (model 360)? and what kind of features does it have??
does it have pause\fastforward speed\slow motion??
does it have optical\digital output for AC3 decoder??
does it support DTS???

 

[divinemartyr]

If you mean does it support DTS by does it have an internal decoder? No it does not. Unless you have a receiver which decodes DTS, you aren't going to get DTS sound from the PS2. If your receiver supports it, you don't have to worry about the player, it will pass the signal to the receiver without even knowing what signal it's passing.

I personally feel the DVD playback on the PS2 is horrible. The layer changes are less-than-desireable and the aspect ratios don't show up properly IMHO. Some other people say they notice no difference from the PS2 or a regular DVD player, but after being spoiled by a regular DVD player for nearly 2 years, I can't say I'm at all impressed with the PS2.

To address one of your other questions, does it have optical/digital output. It does have an optical out, but does NOT have a coaxial digital output. If you have an optical in free on your receiver, you can use this.

My recommendation is if you're just looking for a DVD player, buy a standalone unit, not the PS2. If you're already wanting a PS2, then it should be SUFFICIENT for the time being until you can buy a separate player.

dm

 

[gnognugs]

I believe the DVD in the PS2 was supposed to be a progressive scan model. These should be better than models that have interlaced display. Progressive scan DVD players for the home are still quite expensive.

 

[Losty]

it's okaie..not the greatest..my roomate bought a new prog scan dvd cuz he wasn't satisfied with the dvd performance

 

[divinemartyr]

<< I believe the DVD in the PS2 was supposed to be a progressive scan model. These should be better than models that have interlaced display. Progressive scan DVD players for the home are still quite expensive. >>



Not even close. The PS2 can't compare to standalone DVD players, let ALONE a progressive scan player. The PS2 is NOT a progressive scan player by any means.

dm

 

[YahooUser]

I've heard alot of things about the ps2 before its release.. some said it is the same laser in their 570 model... some &quot;reviewers&quot; said 'to forget about a stand alone player, the ps2 does it all'...gnognugs even said he heard that it was supposed to be a progressive scan DVD (i doubt that though)...
since the all that hype (and because I couldnt get one) I lost interest in the news release that came out after people actually got to use one...

So.. I guess it's safe to say that for an entry level (maybe bedroom) DVD player the ps2 is OK.. but for a main living piece, I should get something better....

my dilema is that I need a DVD player now.. I know that the new progressive scans are out but cost >$1000... but right now I dont have a HDTV (not for 5 more years) and what ever I buy now, will eventually go into my bedroom.. I didnt want to get the top of the line non-progressive players because they are now &quot;obsolete&quot; plus they cost >$500.. but if I was going to spend $250 to $350, I wanted to get as much info on the ps2...

Thanks for all the advice.. KEEP them comming...

 

[divinemartyr]

<< I know that the new progressive scans are out but cost >$1000 >>



You can purchase a nice progressive scan player for well under $1,000, they continue to drop farther and farther in price. If you are ever going to want progressive scan, buy it soon because you don't want to buy 2 players in the next couple years. You get what you pay for in situations like this. I highly recommend buying a nice Toshiba player or even a Sony or Philips Magnavox. Stay away from Apex and JVC and some of the other lower quality brands you'll see in department stores. I personally have experience with probably 20 or so DVD players including the PS2 and again I reemphasize, it is NOT DVD quality. It'll be better than a VCR tenfold, and if that's all you're used to then by all means, buy the PS2 if you're at all interested in its games, if not, the Toshiba SD-2200 is a GREAT player in the price range you're looking in.

I would highly recommend extending your budget a little bit and waiting for a progressive scan, but only if you plan to buy a TV in the next 3 years which supports progressive inputs.

Also, here are some reviews on the Toshiba model I mentioned above. For the cost, it's one of the most highly rated DVD players out there. I own (2) of its predecessor, the SD-3109 and can't say enough good things about it. Good luck.

dm

 

[pg22]

The word is that progressive scan output CAN be done with a driver update. Rumours have it that they will enable this around the time X-Box xomes out....but you never really know.

I have my PS2 as my main DVD player on my 36 inch WEGA and it's very good. Watching Braveheart and Gladiator with the WGEA's 16x9 Enhanced mode is *awesome*. It's not on the level of progressive scan DVD players right now per say, but it's far from horrible.

Best adviced to give ya instead of telling you....is just check it out yourself


edit:

One little addendum.....my main complaint about the DVD playback of the PS2 is not the quality (I think it's fine)....but mostly the functionality of the system. I guess that's what you expect since the DVD is secondary....but things like 4x, 8x, 16x fast forward, time displays, and a few other things are not available (at least right now). If it was me, and I had $200-$400 to spend on a DVD player, and you enjoy games, and the PS2 all the way. But if your a 'phile with money to spend, I'd get a full featured progressive scan DVD

 

[Erasmus-X]

The DVD playback on the PS2 is not too bad; I would call it decent. It still can't really compare to a good standalone player. But that's not really the annoying part of the PS2's DVD player. I don't like the idea of using the controller to emulate functions normally found on a remote. You find yourself constantly accidently pressing the wrong buttons. I haven't found a 3rd-party remote that I even like for it yet, so I guess I'll have to live with that.

I bought the PS2 primarily for the games (or lack there of). It also makes a nice DVD player for the TV in my room. But I wouldn't recommend making it your DVD in a home theatre setup.

 

[Gunbuster]

It looks a lot better if you get the component cable for it.

With the normal RCA I had dot\edge crawl and it's gone using component