Hate to drag folks back to last-gen for a minute, but I could use a bit of help. I'm replacing a DVD player in a bedroom, and thought it might be fun to use a PS2 player instead of a standalone DVD player - that way folks can play a few games in there too.

Can somebody give a basic tutorial as to what it takes to play DVD's on a PS2 - I've been poking around on ebay for used system. Some mention a disc that is necessary to play DVD, some don't. Some mention an IR receiver, some don't. When I look at new DVD remotes, they give long lists of product numbers they do and don't work with.

Also, can you guys reassure me that a PS2 is a half-way decent DVD player. This will be hooked up to a 19" tv, so I'm not looking for great - I just need it to be "acceptable. :

Thanks for the help,
Sal

You don't need any special discs or any other hardware to play DVDs via PS2. The PS2 was my first DVD player and the first one we had in the house. It worked great and we never had any problems with it right out of the box. The only thing you need to buy if you want it, is the wireless remote/IR receiver so you don't have to use the dual-shock controller for playback functions. Unless the absolute original PS2s needed something extra to playback DVDs that I don't know about, you don't need anything else. Are you buying the chubby one? Or the slimline? Either way, I'm almost positive you don't need anything special.

The earliest version PS2s had problems playing back some DVDs so an update DVD was released with the remote control. If you get the new slim model no update is needed and it does Progressive scan (the old ones do not). DVD playback is not the best, it works okay as a backup.

You don't need anything guaranteed!! Only a IR remote if you want. The slime line ones are the way to go, save space and sleek looking. You should definitley pick up GOW2 while your at it :D

I dont have experience with the slimline, but my old rev 1 PS2 has some issues with some DVDs(no i havnt updated and dont plan on it at this point, never had it wired to the internet). Skipping, some scenes wont play at all. If a download or the newer slimlines dont have the issues you will have a dvd player that performs like a lower end dvd player. It will work.