Playstation 2 as a primary DVD player

[Dartful Dodger]

Okay DVDs are not a fad, I've finally broke down and decided to buy a DVD player.  Now I don't own a PS2, and I don't have the time to play games like I use to, so 200 bucks for a console I'll barely play, doesn't seem worth it.
BUT
I figure I could kill two birds with one stone. If I buy a PS2, and use it as my DVD player.

I don't have surround sound, I don't plan on having a DVD collection, I just want a player that will play DVDs from start to finish.  I was planning on buying a cheap DVD player for near 100 bucks, but I'd shell out the extra 100 if that meant I could play PS2 games.

Has anyone else tried using there PS2 as a DVD player?
Did it kill the PS2?
What formats of DVDs can it play?

Thanks

[Generic Eric]

Has anyone else tried using there PS2 as a DVD player?

Yes

Did it kill the PS2?

No

What formats of DVDs can it play?

Any/Every movie(dvd of course) I have bought or rented.  If you are referring to DVD -/+ (R)W or RAM, I am not sure, because I have not tried.

Thanks

Another thing to consider is wether you want a Playstation 2, or a XBOX.  

Get the DVD remote from sony.

A word of warning...
The ability to watch movies on it is an added bonus.  Don't expect to get the same video quality that you would from a high dollar DVD player.

[SNAAAKE]

Its designed to PLAY dvd movies. You won't mess it up.
Duh  

U can buy a remote and use it as dvd player no problem(I do).
remote is like $10.
AND you can get a ps2 for like $125-150 from ebay.  

 Don't expect to get the same video quality that you would from a high dollar DVD player.

...    
Why not.I have a panasonic dvd player(living room) and movies looks better running on ps2.
Of course I am running ps2 though component input and the dvd player on s-video.

I dont think there is any difference between any high dollar dvd player and the ps2 dvd player.
Maybe progressive scan but ps2 dvd player works JUST as good as any others in the market.  

[Generic Eric]

I was suggesting that if he is expecting super great quality, that he wouldn't be getting it.  Having said that, its fine for me.

[CthulhuLuke]

There is a difference, the PS2 dvd reader is pretty crappy compared to one you buy, they put a pretty low quality reader in there for some reason.  If you dont believe me go rent 2 DVDs from blockbuster, try playing em on your PS2, notice the parts that skip and crap?  Thats not the dvd its the ps2,  put it in your DVD player, works perfect.  I dont know bout the Xbox dvd player, I hear its pretty good, but I like the games a lot more on the PS2.  I have actually had dvds not read at all on my ps2, like the very last 2 chapters of the Cell, damn I was pissed.

[LunarLoveLust]

I've had some problems with various DVD's on my PS2... it's rare, but some DVDS just dont like playing on PS2.

[pointdablame]

You definitely make some compromises with the PS2 as a DVD player. I have a Sony DVD player and a PS2 and there is a definite difference. I recently bought the newer version of the PS2 with progressive scan and it is a step up, but it is still not a fully fleshed out DVD player. But then again, the player you would get for 100 bones more than likely wouldn't be either. If you think you'll play games, get the ps2.  If you plan on playing like one or two games, don't bother. Put the $200 towards a high quality DVD player.

[BombProofPlane]

Its designed to PLAY dvd movies. You won't mess it up.
Duh  

U can buy a remote and use it as dvd player no problem(I do).
remote is like $10.
AND you can get a ps2 for like $125-150 from ebay.  

 Don't expect to get the same video quality that you would from a high dollar DVD player.

...    
Why not.I have a panasonic dvd player(living room) and movies looks better running on ps2.
Of course I am running ps2 though component input and the dvd player on s-video.

I dont think there is any difference between any high dollar dvd player and the ps2 dvd player.
Maybe progressive scan but ps2 dvd player works JUST as good as any others in the market.  

thats the stupidest thing you've ever said

35 dollar apex players are better than the ps2

one of the main reasons why the ps2 dvd player sucks is because the laser was designed to read both types of media which saved sony some cash while all other dvd players do this seperatly

another thing is compatibility

go to dvd.ign.com and see the list of dvd MOVIES that are incompatible with consoles

if you want a dvd player buy a dvd player if you want a console buy a console

[jakejake28]

go to dvd.ign.com and see the list of dvd MOVIES that are incompatible with consoles

if you want a dvd player buy a dvd player if you want a console buy a console

i checked that compadibility list, it says Evil Dead wont work on xbox, but i watched both of them on my xbox last week, not a problem. i will say this, the xbox dvd player is great for dvd usuage. the only prob with it is the 40 dollar price for the remote...

[Generic Eric]

another thing is compatibility

go to dvd.ign.com and see the list of dvd MOVIES that are incompatible with consoles

http://dvd.ign.com/articles/315/315957p1.html

Thats a pretty handy link.  I have to take back my earlier statement.  Not every disc I tried to play ran fine, most of those were rentals that I had a problem with.

I did have a problem w/ T2 Judgement day.  I was pretty pissed about that.

[SNAAAKE]

thats the stupidest thing you've ever said

35 dollar apex players are better than the ps2

one of the main reasons why the ps2 dvd player sucks is because the laser was designed to read both types of media which saved sony some cash while all other dvd players do this seperatly

another thing is compatibility

go to dvd.ign.com and see the list of dvd MOVIES that are incompatible with consoles

if you want a dvd player buy a dvd player if you want a console buy a console

Hell if I know...
I was suggesting to get a ps2 because its got great games and plays dvd.I wasnt aware of the  "compatibility" issue.I tried some movies on my ps2 and everything worked without any problem.
Of course I am not too into movies so I didnt notice any difference between the quility of the ps2 dvd player and any other dvd player.
(I dont even watch movies)

[eightbit]

Buy an xbox, chip it, play all DVD regions. If you chip it you don't even need the dvd remote to play dvd's. Get the advanced AV pack and get even better picture quality out of it. Go download MameX and play all your favorite arcade games on your living room tv.

As far as DVD compatability with the xbox the site you link doesn't mention the fact that there are 3 different DVD drives in the xbox. Some are better than others. They've been using a Samsung drive for a while and this seems to be a really robust drive that can read just about anything.

[SirPoonga]

I've had some problems with various DVD's on my PS2... it's rare, but some DVDS just dont like playing on PS2.

Try cleaning your lens.

[SirPoonga]

The PS2 is an ok DVD player.  When I moved in with my friend his PS2 became the main DVD player and I have mine in my bedroom.  My cheap Toshiba is by far better, but partly because I have componant video and the living room TV is just svideo.

The PS2 doe shave optical audio out.  That's pretty nice.  My Toshiba dvd player only have coax digital out.

[BombProofPlane]

whats the difference between optical and coax

thats like saying the dvd looked better playing off the disc then when you copied the raw data off to your hard drive

its still 0/1s at this point so no change could be made

[tom61]

My vote is to buy a cheap $50-60 DVD player loaded with features if you want to play DVD movies. I have an old Apex AD500W (huge thing, but cheap and packed with features).

I can't compare the PS2 to my DVD, but I do have an Xbox and the DVD remote hooked to the same TV (via composite) and both are about equal in quality, but the DVD player can play VCD and SVCDs (easy to burn CD video discs in a PC) with being modified, has zoom and slow motion.

[BombProofPlane]

actually the newer apex models won't read vcds pretty vierd eh

look at open box models i picked up a 35 dollar dvd player that had progressive scan and a 5 disc changer

[DAmnb]

Well I have both PS2, Xbox and a stationary DVD player and Xbox > PS2 while the stationary > both consoles.
And like someone already said the PS2 laser is the cheapest p.o.s. on the planet so why waste it on DVD movies when there are so many great games  

[SirPoonga]

whats the difference between optical and coax

thats like saying the dvd looked better playing off the disc then when you copied the raw data off to your hard drive

its still 0/1s at this point so no change could be made

Well, there isn't a big difference between coax and fiber unless you have a good home theater system.

However, there is a difference in between svideo and componant which was my point.  It's quality of 1s and 0s

[DaveMMR]

No one mentioned this but for the $200 you're going to spend you can hook yourself up with a semi-decent home theatre package.  For that price you're not going to get the best, but you will get a decent DVD player that also plays MP3s, has an FM/AM receiver, and 6 satellite speakers.  Of course you mentioned sound is not your top priority so that may be overkill -- but you also mentioned playing videogames were not top priority so why would the PS2 even be a viable choice.  

Sony did release a DVD player that also records programs and doubles as a PS2 console (instead of the other way around) but that's around $500 -- and I think it's only out in Japan now.

As for eightbit's suggestion, I wouldn't go so far as to chip an X-Box (and void the warranty) if all you want to do is watch the occasional versatile disc.  

Basically, DVD players are DIRT cheap nowadays.  Even the least expensive ones are pretty decent.  If you're not big on audio or video perfection (or especially if you're playing it a regular TV) you can get by spending way under $100.

One final suggestion:  make sure your TV has component inputs (preferably an S-Video one too).  DVD players do not like to be hooked up to VCRs (copy protection - geesh!).  If not you'll have to buy an adapter to hook it up to your TV's coax input.  

[Frostillicus]

Does the PS2 have 5.1 out?  You guys mentioned it has optical but I didn't know it had a decoder built in.  

[eightbit]

No one mentioned this but for the $200 you're going to spend you can hook yourself up with a semi-decent home theatre package.  For that price you're not going to get the best, but you will get a decent DVD player that also plays MP3s, has an FM/AM receiver, and 6 satellite speakers.  Of course you mentioned sound is not your top priority so that may be overkill -- but you also mentioned playing videogames were not top priority so why would the PS2 even be a viable choice.  

How can games not be a top priority?

Sony did release a DVD player that also records programs and doubles as a PS2 console (instead of the other way around) but that's around $500 -- and I think it's only out in Japan now.

This was announced earlier this year at E3, its not shipping yet.

As for eightbit's suggestion, I wouldn't go so far as to chip an X-Box (and void the warranty) if all you want to do is watch the occasional versatile disc.  

I suggested the xbox since if he's posting here he's probably also interested in Mame or other emulators. You can play these easily on the xbox. Also since he's posting here I figurered he's a person that would like to mod an xbox. Most of us here either like to build things or are at least be interested in hearing about it.

Basically, DVD players are DIRT cheap nowadays.  Even the least expensive ones are pretty decent.  If you're not big on audio or video perfection (or especially if you're playing it a regular TV) you can get by spending way under $100.

Its easy to find them under $60, I've seen new ones go on sale as low as $40 and there better than my old $300 dvd player that won't even play a DVD-R.

One final suggestion:  make sure your TV has component inputs (preferably an S-Video one too).  DVD players do not like to be hooked up to VCRs (copy protection - geesh!).  If not you'll have to buy an adapter to hook it up to your TV's coax input.  

You can always get a RF modulator for <$20 if your tv only has a coax input.

[SirPoonga]

Does the PS2 have 5.1 out?  You guys mentioned it has optical but I didn't know it had a decoder built in.  

Yes, it does.  And in games only movies can have 5.1, gameplay won't.

[Dartful Dodger]

Thanks everyone.  I went with a $100 DVD player from Sony.  It sounded like the PS2 might not play all DVDs and have problems with others.  I haven't bought a game for my PS1 in over 2 years, I mostly buy and play PC games.  I figure the PS2 and games for it would just cut into my cabinet building cost.

[b3atmania]

Does the PS2 have 5.1 out?  You guys mentioned it has optical but I didn't know it had a decoder built in.  

Yes, it does.  And in games only movies can have 5.1, gameplay won't.

Some games have 5.1 out (Final Fantasy X comes to mind).
To experience 5.1 you need an external decoder that accepts optical inputs. Without an external decoder the PS2 will down-mix the channels to stereo.