PlayStation 2 Undergoes Major Update

[bonkers325]

Sony Computer Entertainment will put an upgraded version of its PlayStation 2 (news - web sites) video game on sale in Japan in mid May, the company said Monday. The new machine will be the first major upgrade SCEI has made to its hit gaming platform since it first went on sale just over three years ago.

The SCPH-50000 doesn't add much to the gaming experience but it does improve on the unit's ability to work as a DVD player. Whereas the current machine accepts only DVD-Video discs, at least officially, the new console adds support for the DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, and DVD+RW recordable and rewritable formats. It doesn't support DVD-RAM.

"The current player can read some of those discs but it's not stable," said Yoshiko Furusawa, a spokesperson for the Tokyo-based company. "We never officially supported them but now we do."

New and Improved
The new console can also output a progressive-scan video image, which should mean a better picture for users with a compatible television. The console is also quieter and the remote controller has been improved with the addition of a power on/off button and eject button--functions that require a trip from the couch to the console on the current model.


Link

 

[Zim Hosein]

Interesting, but I'll believe it when I see it bonkers325

 

[zippy]

Originally posted by: bonkers325
The console is also quieter and the remote controller has been improved with the addition of a power on/off button and eject button--functions that require a trip from the couch to the console on the current model.

Is it me or is an eject button on a remote control completely useless? :Q You'll still have to get up to change the disc.

 

[ThaGrandCow]

Kickass! I need to buy one again anyways. I've been wanting to play Kingdom Hearts for a long time.

 

[aswedc]

The new version of the PS2 will be available in Japan starting May 15, Sony said in a statement. No date was set for availability in North America or Europe.

http://news.com.com/2100-1043-996748.html

 

[MrBond]

Built in IR reciever too. No more buying a DVD Remote that plugs into the console, you just get the remote and point it at the console itself.

 

[JACKHAMMER]

Hopefully woth this will come a reduction in price

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: zippy

Originally posted by: bonkers325
The console is also quieter and the remote controller has been improved with the addition of a power on/off button and eject button--functions that require a trip from the couch to the console on the current model.

Is it me or is an eject button on a remote control completely useless? :Q You'll still have to get up to change the disc.

i was thinking the exact same thing.

 

[nmcglennon]

sweet... let the burning of games begin...

not only that, but this opens up more of a door to try your own games out...

 

[BAMAVOO]

Long time no see Bonkers


What the hell has been going on?

Sweet deal of the PS2..But isn't it time for PS3 yet?

 

[Smolek]

Originally posted by: BAMAVOO
Sweet deal of the PS2..But isn't it time for PS3 yet?

Not for another 2 years.

 

[RichieZ]

Hmm my V7 PS2 seems to read DVD-R and DVD-RW just fine. I don't use my ps2 as a dvd player so I'm not too concerned about the new features. Is the form factor remaining the same? Price drop?

 

[bonkers325]

Originally posted by: RichieZ
Hmm my V7 PS2 seems to read DVD-R and DVD-RW just fine. I don't use my ps2 as a dvd player so I'm not too concerned about the new features. Is the form factor remaining the same? Price drop?

its mainly just for dvd video via dvd-r and dvd+r

 

[jteef]

thank god they put a working power button on the remote.

 

[her209]

Originally posted by: jteef
thank god they put a working power button on the remote.

There's a remote?

 

[kami]

Hello Sony and welcome to 2 years ago!

And where's the hard disk?

I'll pass.

 

[bonkers325]

Originally posted by: BAMAVOO
Long time no see Bonkers


What the hell has been going on?

Sweet deal of the PS2..But isn't it time for PS3 yet?

yeah long time no see
been busy lately, got mroe time now

 

[bonkers325]

Originally posted by: kami
Hello Sony and welcome to 2 years ago!

And where's the hard disk?

I'll pass.

in the xbox

 

[bonkers325]

Originally posted by: AthlonXP
So lemme guess, with support for DVD-RW,DVD-R, it will be easier to play back-uped games?

movies

 

[NokiaDude]

So if the new version comes out in North America, can we RMA our barely 4 month old PS2's and get new units?!? I just got my PS2 in December and am really pissed off that I wait and wait and wait for a price reduction and then they come out with a better version 4 months later. GRRRRRRR . . . . .

 

[bonkers325]

Originally posted by: NokiaDude
So if the new version comes out in North America, can we RMA our barely 4 month old PS2's and get new units?!? I just got my PS2 in December and am really pissed off that I wait and wait and wait for a price reduction and then they come out with a better version 4 months later. GRRRRRRR . . . . .

i feel for u, same here