25-06-2004 20:55									#1
	PS2 vs DVD player. Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition

Ok, heres a real world buying decision.

We're somewhat behind electronically. Our VCR broke sometime ago (dont own many tapes) and our PC is aged (resources going to car, braces, savings, etc)

Since we're deferring yet again our PC purchase, im thinking next electronics purchase is DVD player. Plain vanilla, read only. Name brands run about $60 to $70 US, these days.

Now PS2, at $150, also plays DVDs, IIUC.

I cant think of one PS2 game that I want to play, and POTM isnt interested in console games. Indeed, buying a PS2 might lead QOTM to question my adult status . And remember the price difference can go towards the budget PC i intend to get, to play the games I (and POTM) really want.

Your thoughts? PS2 as DVD player? PS2 library for a gamer who mainly likes TBS, RPGs, sims, etc?

	25-06-2004 22:55									#2
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

Don't forget that you'll need to buy a memory card + a remote control (unless you want to play your DVDs with the gamepad). I don't know if it's a good DVD player. I own a Xbox and I play my DVDs on it. It played everything I throwed at it, except LOTR: fellowship (extended version).

	25-06-2004 23:03									#3
	Browse Apolyton AD-FREE

The trouble with buying a console is that you'll always end up buying games in the weeks afterwards. Not many, but perhaps 3-5 (ooh, but look it's on sale honey!). That's money that would have gone to other expenses but instead is spent on games. You could of course buy an Xbox and turn it into a fullblown mediaplayer with a modchip and a bigger HD (100-120Gig) but that's gonna cost ya extra (unless you like a bit of DIY).


Just buy a decent DVD player that lasts a bit longer. It will save you money in the long run.

	25-06-2004 23:05									#4
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization III: Complete

thanks yeah.

i mean given the price of console games, it wouldnt take too many to match the price of a budget PC. and if the DVD players on consoles arent that good, that would clinch my decision.

	25-06-2004 23:23									#5
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

Everyone I know who uses their PS2 as a DVD player can't stand it, and has ended up buying a real DVD player. My brother in law tried it for a while, but after an hour of watching DVDs, the PS2 would overheat every 10 minutes or so. Different people, same story.

	25-06-2004 23:47									#6
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization 2

If you go for a PS2, try to get the newer version - it's 70% quieter, IIRC.

	25-06-2004 23:49									#7
	Tired of ads?

quote: Originally posted by Sandman If you go for a PS2, try to get the newer version - it's 70% quieter, IIRC.

Im pretty sure Im not going for the PS2 - the above comments confirm my initial inclination, but thanks anyway.

	26-06-2004 00:06									#8
	Support Apolyton

My daughter uses her's to watch DVDs all the time, and she has never complained or had a problem. But the price for a low end DVD player is getting so low, that it's hard not to just buy one.

	26-06-2004 00:06									#9
	Support Apolyton, buy Call to Power 2

It was one of the things that made me go for the xbox - i had been reading a few complaints about the PS2 DVDs performance. And like you i was looking for a way to go to DVD in a cheapish way.

Also i wanted to see what all this modern console stuff was about(an Atari 2600vcs being the last one i had owned!).

I used the xbox's DVD about 20 times and havent had a problem with any of the films i've watched - its definately an improvement over my old VHS.

BUT all good tales come with a cautionary note - since i bought my xbox(maybe two years ago?) ive spent about £400 on games(most of which i no longer play)!!!

A decent DVD can be bought for around £50 these days - £100 max if you want a very decent one.

	26-06-2004 00:24									#10
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

quote: Originally posted by child of Thor It was one of the things that made me go for the xbox - i had been reading a few complaints about the PS2 DVDs performance. And like you i was looking for a way to go to DVD in a cheapish way. Also i wanted to see what all this modern console stuff was about(an Atari 2600vcs being the last one i had owned!). I used the xbox's DVD about 20 times and havent had a problem with any of the films i've watched - its definately an improvement over my old VHS. BUT all good tales come with a cautionary note - since i bought my xbox(maybe two years ago?) ive spent about £400 on games(most of which i no longer play)!!! A decent DVD can be bought for around £50 these days - £100 max if you want a very decent one.

i forgot Xbox had one too - no particular reason i mention PS2, just remembered it had one.

Similar tradeoff though, maybe with better DVD player on Xbox, but slightly higher price?

Anyway, Rah's captured the "driver" in my decision.

Whatever KOTOR costs, thats money i could put toward a new PC.

	26-06-2004 00:39									#11
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization: The Boardgame

quote: Originally posted by lord of the mark edit...... Whatever KOTOR costs, thats money i could put toward a new PC.

or buy a DVD player with - they are very cheap

If i just wanted a DVD i wouldn't have botherd with the xbox.

and if you can get a reasonable PC, you'll be able to play the decent titles the console's have(mostly), and more importantly patch them for free

	26-06-2004 00:46									#12
	Tired of ads?

quote: Originally posted by child of Thor or buy a DVD player with - they are very cheap If i just wanted a DVD i wouldn't have botherd with the xbox. and if you can get a reasonable PC, you'll be able to play the decent titles the console's have(mostly), and more importantly patch them for free

im taking it as given that we'll at least get a budget DVD player - so the $70 or so is a given.

I was just thinking before I do that, it made sense to consider the console option. But it seems like at least $80 incremental for the PS2, to get a console with an inferior DVD player. And a potentially large library of games im not real interested in Or maybe a bit more for the Xbox, for a better DVD player, but a smaller library of games im not real interested in.

anyway, thanks.

	26-06-2004 03:13									#13
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization III: Complete

quote: Originally posted by child of Thor BUT all good tales come with a cautionary note - since i bought my xbox(maybe two years ago?) ive spent about £400 on games(most of which i no longer play)!!!

bang 'em on Ebay then?

	26-06-2004 03:40									#14
	Help yourself to an AD-FREE life

i'm too possesive besides i havent really forgiven myself for losing track of all my old computers and software over the last 20 years!

	26-06-2004 04:38									#15
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

Given your stated preferences I'd plump for the best DVD player you can afford.

	27-06-2004 07:23									#16
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

quote: Originally posted by DrSpike Given your stated preferences I'd plump for the best DVD player you can afford.

indeed

my ps2 sits there most months untouched, all connected to the stereo system...

the dvd player gets quite a work out

good luck, and happy hunting for the best deal

	28-06-2004 19:09									#17
	Enter the AD-FREE zone

quote: Originally posted by DrSpike Given your stated preferences I'd plump for the best DVD player you can afford.

Well, we'll probably head partway in that direction. Talked it over with QOTM, she says lets get SONY DVD player (at $90 US) cause, like, its SONY, and her relative in the industry said always get SONY. Since QOTM has a tendency to dither over purchases, Im not inclined to argue and will go get this.

	28-06-2004 19:33									#18
	Enter the AD-FREE zone

Good decision.
The DvD player is a nice bonus if you're looking to buy a games console, but the other way round would be foolish. Besides, for the same price as the cheapest Xbox then you can get a decent DvD player and a PC copy of KOTOR when you upgrade that.
Alternatively, you could just play Civ 2 all the time......

	28-06-2004 19:33									#19
	Support Apolyton, pre-order Civilization IV

Sounds like a good choice. I have a fair bit of Sony stuff myself.

	28-06-2004 20:04									#20
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

Why not buy the PC and connect to the TV?

	28-06-2004 22:17									#21
	Full PM-box? Change here!

quote: Originally posted by SpencerH Why not buy the PC and connect to the TV?

well they'll be in different rooms, which means messing with wiring (I assume) plus some inconvenience. Also means use of the computer is tied up with playing movies - I think. Depends on the PC I guess.

Thoughts?

	28-06-2004 22:22									#22
	Support Apolyton, pre-order Civilization IV

It can work well, but personally I much prefer my standalone player, though I have both. It's not worth the hassle unless your pc is already linked to your sound system. Plus, computer DVD players are flakier than standalones.

	28-06-2004 22:39									#23
	Help yourself to an AD-FREE life

My DVD player cost $40. And someone gave it to us because "we didn't have one and needed to have one so they could loan us movies." Ok, fine. Wheeeee! Free stuff. And they can loan us as many movies as they like.

	28-06-2004 22:44									#24
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

If you are buying a DVD player, by all means get an "all region" box.

	29-06-2004 02:05									#25
	Browse Apolyton AD-FREE

Its not cost effective for you if they're in different rooms. You've either got to use a long S-video cable, or go wireless or ethernet with some version of box to convert the signal at the TV.

	29-06-2004 02:46									#26
	Avatar Enlargement: We've got the solution

our ps2 plays dvds fine. there might be more than a few games on ps2 you might like lotm but i'm not sure(stuff like disgaea maybe?).

http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/august03/disgaeaps2/

	29-06-2004 05:50									#27
	Increase Your PM Length

quote: Originally posted by pg our ps2 plays dvds fine. there might be more than a few games on ps2 you might like lotm but i'm not sure(stuff like disgaea maybe?). http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/august03/disgaeaps2/

nah, im not that deep into fantasy rpgs. I play them lately in part cause ive have played so many of the strategy games that are easily available and will run on old PC, and cause i wanted to see what the fuss was all about. I played BG just to see what RPGs were like, and PST cause every said it was a good example of a more story oriented one. Theyre both good, but not really they kind of thing im inclined to buy a new machine to play.

	29-06-2004 05:52									#28
	Got spare money?

quote: Originally posted by Urban Ranger If you are buying a DVD player, by all means get an "all region" box.

whats that?

	29-06-2004 06:04									#29
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

DVDs for the US(and I'm not sure whatever places) are encoded as Region 1, or R1. England, IIRC, is R2. Most DVD players sold in the US, such as mine, will only play R1 DVDs.

All Region DVD players are capable of playing DVDs, regardless of it's region encoding.

	29-06-2004 19:05									#30
	Increase the size of your Attachments

quote: Originally posted by Verto DVDs for the US(and I'm not sure whatever places) are encoded as Region 1, or R1. England, IIRC, is R2. Most DVD players sold in the US, such as mine, will only play R1 DVDs. All Region DVD players are capable of playing DVDs, regardless of it's region encoding.

are most foreign films available for rent and sale in the US encoded region 1? Wouldnt want to not be able to rent Bergman, Kurosawa, Truffaut, etc.