DVD Playback Issues On Consoles Enumerated

Thanks to IGN.com for their updated list of DVDs that play back incorrectly on consoles, including the Xbox and, particularly, the PlayStation 2. It seems DVD layer changes are a particular problem, but the article points out that "...with at least three different sets of DVD drivers out for the [PS2] system, there are quite a few discs that have problems running", and also raises the little-known fact that the only way to upgrade your PS2 DVD drivers "..is to pick up the Sony PlayStation 2 DVD Remote. The $20 remote includes a disc that will copy the latest (2.10) drivers to a memory card."

Comments

PS2 DVD software

[Anonymous Coward]

2.10 is the base DVD player software in the SCPH-30001R. The remote control is shipping with version 2.12 on CD (be prepared to allocate 2,051 KB of your PS2 memory card for the DVD Player app, and be sure to have it inserted when you decide to pop a DVD in.) You can hit Triangle at the Browser/Config screen to see what version it'll use.

Another way to update DVD driver?

[rritterson]

Hasn't anyone ripped the driver update to .ISO or .BIN so that it can be shared across the net? I'd be more than a little peeved if Sony cracks down on this (restricting access to a driver update? That's worse than Microsoft)

Or maybe Sony is cracking down, forcing you to spend your $20 to get the update?

Re:Another way to update DVD driver?

[MBCook]

My understanding is that the only thing that is different about the update is that it has the code neccessary to deal with the DVD Remote. So basically, the update is useless unless you have the remote, and the remote is useless without the update, which is why they are shipped together.

Watch out

[Anonymous Coward]

There are at least two official PS2 remote controls. I got the thin one that's pretty crappy, and it didn't come with any disc. Go for the wider version.

My experience on PS2

[jvmatthe]

I have the remote control (which I believe means I have driver 2.10) and I had no problems with The Ring or with Unbreakable. I wonder how much of this has to do with dirty or scratched rental discs...I've had a disc that skipped like mad and I just had to clean it off a bit and magically it worked.

Honestly, I haven't thought about DVD issues in ages, although I did have real problems with Jurassic Park III and The Mexican a while back. Nothing since then to interrupt viewing, except the half-second pause when the layer changes.

Area codes?

[Helmut Kool]

I have played two blacklisted movies (Blow, Planet of the Apes 2001) fine on PS2 with driver 2.10. But i live in Europe and the movies have area code 2. Maybe that makes a difference? BTW, new PS2's have new version of the driver out of the box. Mine was bought in October 2002.

Don't forget.

[Inoshiro]

New PS2 models (SCPH-39001 and SCPH-39010/N in the network bundle) already ship with 2.12 firmware DVD drivers, and don't require the PS2 DVD remote upgrade disc. This saves you 1/4th of a memory card :)

If you bought your PS2 at a big, nasty store like Wal-mart or Future Shop, chances are you have one of the old SPCH-30001R or S (1st gen) machines which have the old 2.10 driver (and also many issues with lasers).

If you bought it at EB, GameStop, or some other store that focuses on games, chances are you have the newer 7th gen one. You can always check the version via triangle in the browser. If you did buy it at an EB or Gamestop and you have an old PS2, don't fret. If you bought one of their extended warrantees, you can just exchange it for a new one. Just take the base console in and ask for a newest model one.