PS2 Getting DVD Upgrade & Progressive Video?

blues5150 writes "ZDNET is reporting that Sony is going to be upgrading the PlayStation 2. According to the article "The new design will support most recordable DVD media, including DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW. The new PS2 will also support "progressive scan", a playback method used by some TV sets for clearer images, and it will come with a built-in infrared receiver for using a remote control to control DVD playback." The bad part of all of this is that they don't have dates for availability in North America or Europe."

Comments

vcd

[JBlaze03]

Wonder if it will support VCD's this time... that would be great

Re:Hmmm all blank media?

[bludstone]

Sony is a very large company. There are constant battles being fought between the different parts of it. You think sony music entertainment enjoys the fact that sony sells pocket mp3 players?

Always conflict within sony.

Re:Hmmm all blank media?

[jm91509]

Just because the machine supports *rw media doesn't mean that you'll be able to play copied games. In the same way as the original ps2 can play cdrw audio cd's but you can't play cdrw'd games without a chip afaik.

If it supported mp3 and dvdrw then happy days. Alas it appears not.

Karma

Some observations about the changes

[binaryDigit]

Progressive scan and a quieter fan. This makes the PS2 much more compatible with home theatre setups. One of the things I don't like about the current PS2 is it's extremely loud fan (well if you're watching "quiet" movies or listening to music).

One "benefit" to Sony with supporting dvd-r is that they will probably sell more dvd-r burners now. Someone mentioned vcd, it makes no sense to support vcd as doing so will not drive more sales of other Sony products. I know that I'm more likely to buy a burner now since we use the PS2 as our primary dvd player and we are constantly worrying about the kids scratching up their dvd's.

Re:Still waiting on VCD and other rants

[rf0]

Not trying to be rude buy why not just spend $100 on a new DVD player than can play VCD's? Surely cheaper, easier and you can get it now

Rus

Re:burned dvd support?

[mccalli]

There must be more to it then just playing any burned DVD, but whatever protection is used is just asking to be hacked. I really don't see where Sony is going with this one.

Remember that Sony sell DVD burners. It's odd, at the moment, that I can burn my DVD on Sony equipment but not play it back on Sony equipment.

Cheers,
Ian

I Feel Slighted...

[Finlandia]

Damn...Companies sure know how to screw their loyal fans. I bought my PS2 the week it came out. First, there were the price cuts. These are somewhat understandable, with competition and all, but it burns my ass paying $100 more for the same product. Then, it was a cheaper PS2, plus games bundled in. Now, it's a PS2.1. Shoot, I can understand lower prices or pack-in games, but giving the system features, ahhhhh, it screws over the loyal.