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SONY OFFICIAL DVD CONTROLLER

One of the coolest feature about the PlayStation2, is the ability to play DVD movies, but trying to play back a move or frame on a standard DUAL SHOCK 2 controller is kind of hard compared to a remote.

Therefore Sony Decided to make an official model for its revolutionary console. Even though there are many out there from third parties' such as Interact and Saitek, which came to the market first

so Sony didn't want to be left out, they went and designed one of the best REMOTE for the system yet to come. The Controller itself is kind of wide but, it features more than 30 functional buttons.

They allow easy access to almost every feature of PlayStation 2's DVD playback, with out having to go trough all those setup menus. Like every other controller out there it uses an

Infrared device, which hooks up to PS2's memory port and controller port. The cool thing about this controller, is that it can be hooked up in second controller port leaving your DUAL SHOCK 2

in first controller port, a very smart move. The remote will be supplied in new PS2's released in JAPAN along with new drivers, which will make the price little higher then before. The Controller

will go on sale in JAPAN before end of year on DECEMBER 22nd for 3500 Yen. The US release has not been announced yet.

SONY HDD FOR PS2

At special press conference in Tokyo today Sony has officially unveiled the PlayStation 2's add- device called Hard Disk Drive (HDD for short) and its network accessories. Below is what the unit will look like side by side with the PlayStation 2 itself, be sure to read on for more details.

The HDD isn't big as the PS2 but don't let the small size fool you it pack's loads of features. The HDD comes with an ethernet card enabling gamers to connect their unit's to DSL lines, Cable modems and other computer networks. The actual capacity of the drive has not been yet decided, but its expected about 6-10GBs. With this additional space PS2 users will be able to download game demos, music, add-on levels for a limited time. If they decide they want to keep the software they will have to pay. Another cool feature is users will be able to connect cameras and camcorders to store video and pictures.

The exact date of the units launch has not yet been announced, but it should be available in both America and Japan before the Christmas season of this year. Be sure to check back for more information on the HDD.

SONY DUAL SHOCK 2

For the launch of the PlayStation 2, Sony decided to redesign the Dual Shock. Thus creating the black Dual Shock 2. On the out side many folks think that the controller is same as first DUAL SHOCK, but on the inside the Dual Shock 2 has been redeveloped. Along with a few minor changes the big difference is that all buttons (except Select and Start for obvious reasons) are analog with a whopping 256 levels of pressure sensitivity. Well just exactly what does this mean? It means when you play a racing game like Gran Turismo 2000 or Ridge Racer V when you press the X button hard you accelerate fast, slow when press softly, the button works like a real gas pedal the harder you press the faster you go. The new buttons aren't just for racing games, they can be used in practically all types of games from fighting to RPG's

SONY 8 MB MEMORY CARD

For the launch of the PlayStation 2, Sony decided to redesign the standard memory card. Although it looks the same on the outside the new memory card is a whopping 250 times faster and holds 64 times more information then the original. Saving a customized track or player now only takes one block instead of a whole card. You may only have to buy one card for every hundred so games. This type of card is not only efficient but should be very affordable. Even though the old cards work with the Playstation 2 the new card wont work with the original Playstation.

SONY HORIZONTAL STAND

We all completely understand that while the Vertical Stand isn't completely necessary to keep the PlayStation 2 standing up, it is somewhat functional because it does give it some added support and looks really cool. The Horizontal Stand, on the other hand, doesn't really appear to server a real meaningful purpose whatsoever.

The horizontal stand is simply a black and blue piece of plastic that sits under your PlayStation 2. In order to attach the stand properly, you must remove the four small rubber feet on the bottom of your PS2 so that it may sit on top of the stand. The stand itself has the same rubber feet under it, so you won't have to worry about your PS2 sliding around places. In front of the unit is a small blue strip of plastic that runs along the front of the PS2. The blue strip doesn't cover anything important, like the major ports or the vent in the front of the unit.

So what is the horizontal stand good for then, you ask? The answer is really nothing. It simply there for the look, you just sit there and say, "Wow, it (the PS2) has a piece of blue plastic in front now. Wow...." That's it. There is nothing any more impressive about the unit with the stand attached. There are no "That sure was ingenious what they did so the disk doesn't fall out" remarks. There is simply a strip of blue plastic running along the front. When asked in a video game magazine what the purpose of the horizontal stand was (since the unit doesn't need a stand to support it horizontally), a Sony representative replied that that was how the PS2 was originally designed, but later it was decided that the blue strip was to be taken off and sold as a horizontal stand add-on. Sounds like an easy way to make more money to me.

So why would anyone buy the horizontal stand? I don't know the answer to that question. I personally don't think it is worth the $10 that it's going to cost you. Use the money that you were thinking about using here towards something cool, like a game or a DVD movie.

SONY VERTICAL STAND

One of the biggest revelations by Sony at the initial official announcement of the PlayStation2 was that you could stand the system vertically in addition to the normal, horizontal position. The preliminary response from most PlayStation owners was laughter followed by jokes about how they have to stand their current PlayStation vertically right now to get past the system's overheating and skipping problems.

Whether or not this was one of the reasons why Sony decided to create the PS2 so that it could stand vertically, doesn't really matter. The bottom line is that the system looks like a brilliant work of art when it's standing in the vertical position. I've always loved the design of the PS2 and thought that it would work well in both the horizontal and vertical positions, but after seeing this sleek, black baby sitting upright with the vertical stand, I don't think I'll ever use it in the horizontal position.

The PS2 will in fact stand vertically on its own, without the Vertical Stand, but it just doesn't look quite as stylish. In addition, the wide base adds a great deal of stability to the system in the vertical position. The PS2 is an expensive piece of equipment, so the idea of having the system knocked over numerous times isn't a pretty picture. Also, the laser in most DVD players is very precise and can easily get unaligned. Again, having the system get knocked down a lot wouldn't be a good thing.

The PlayStation 2 Vertical Stand is sold separately in the United States and carries a $14.99. If you have any plans on having the PS2 stand in the vertical position, it's a must-have piece of plastic. That is, if you have any sort of a sense for fashion.

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	PS2 REPUBLIC \| home History \| News \| Software \| Hardware \| Images \| FAQ \| Definitions \| Specifications \| Related Links \| Contact Me Hardware SONY OFFICIAL DVD CONTROLLER One of the coolest feature about the PlayStation2, is the ability to play DVD movies, but trying to play back a move or frame on a standard DUAL SHOCK 2 controller is kind of hard compared to a remote. Therefore Sony Decided to make an official model for its revolutionary console. Even though there are many out there from third parties' such as Interact and Saitek, which came to the market first so Sony didn't want to be left out, they went and designed one of the best REMOTE for the system yet to come. The Controller itself is kind of wide but, it features more than 30 functional buttons. They allow easy access to almost every feature of PlayStation 2's DVD playback, with out having to go trough all those setup menus. Like every other controller out there it uses an Infrared device, which hooks up to PS2's memory port and controller port. The cool thing about this controller, is that it can be hooked up in second controller port leaving your DUAL SHOCK 2 in first controller port, a very smart move. The remote will be supplied in new PS2's released in JAPAN along with new drivers, which will make the price little higher then before. The Controller will go on sale in JAPAN before end of year on DECEMBER 22nd for 3500 Yen. The US release has not been announced yet. SONY HDD FOR PS2 At special press conference in Tokyo today Sony has officially unveiled the PlayStation 2's add- device called Hard Disk Drive (HDD for short) and its network accessories. Below is what the unit will look like side by side with the PlayStation 2 itself, be sure to read on for more details. The HDD isn't big as the PS2 but don't let the small size fool you it pack's loads of features. The HDD comes with an ethernet card enabling gamers to connect their unit's to DSL lines, Cable modems and other computer networks. The actual capacity of the drive has not been yet decided, but its expected about 6-10GBs. With this additional space PS2 users will be able to download game demos, music, add-on levels for a limited time. If they decide they want to keep the software they will have to pay. Another cool feature is users will be able to connect cameras and camcorders to store video and pictures. The exact date of the units launch has not yet been announced, but it should be available in both America and Japan before the Christmas season of this year. Be sure to check back for more information on the HDD. SONY DUAL SHOCK 2 For the launch of the PlayStation 2, Sony decided to redesign the Dual Shock. Thus creating the black Dual Shock 2. On the out side many folks think that the controller is same as first DUAL SHOCK, but on the inside the Dual Shock 2 has been redeveloped. Along with a few minor changes the big difference is that all buttons (except Select and Start for obvious reasons) are analog with a whopping 256 levels of pressure sensitivity. Well just exactly what does this mean? It means when you play a racing game like Gran Turismo 2000 or Ridge Racer V when you press the X button hard you accelerate fast, slow when press softly, the button works like a real gas pedal the harder you press the faster you go. The new buttons aren't just for racing games, they can be used in practically all types of games from fighting to RPG's SONY 8 MB MEMORY CARD For the launch of the PlayStation 2, Sony decided to redesign the standard memory card. Although it looks the same on the outside the new memory card is a whopping 250 times faster and holds 64 times more information then the original. Saving a customized track or player now only takes one block instead of a whole card. You may only have to buy one card for every hundred so games. This type of card is not only efficient but should be very affordable. Even though the old cards work with the Playstation 2 the new card wont work with the original Playstation. SONY HORIZONTAL STAND We all completely understand that while the Vertical Stand isn't completely necessary to keep the PlayStation 2 standing up, it is somewhat functional because it does give it some added support and looks really cool. The Horizontal Stand, on the other hand, doesn't really appear to server a real meaningful purpose whatsoever. The horizontal stand is simply a black and blue piece of plastic that sits under your PlayStation 2. In order to attach the stand properly, you must remove the four small rubber feet on the bottom of your PS2 so that it may sit on top of the stand. The stand itself has the same rubber feet under it, so you won't have to worry about your PS2 sliding around places. In front of the unit is a small blue strip of plastic that runs along the front of the PS2. The blue strip doesn't cover anything important, like the major ports or the vent in the front of the unit. So what is the horizontal stand good for then, you ask? The answer is really nothing. It simply there for the look, you just sit there and say, "Wow, it (the PS2) has a piece of blue plastic in front now. Wow...." That's it. There is nothing any more impressive about the unit with the stand attached. There are no "That sure was ingenious what they did so the disk doesn't fall out" remarks. There is simply a strip of blue plastic running along the front. When asked in a video game magazine what the purpose of the horizontal stand was (since the unit doesn't need a stand to support it horizontally), a Sony representative replied that that was how the PS2 was originally designed, but later it was decided that the blue strip was to be taken off and sold as a horizontal stand add-on. Sounds like an easy way to make more money to me. So why would anyone buy the horizontal stand? I don't know the answer to that question. I personally don't think it is worth the $10 that it's going to cost you. Use the money that you were thinking about using here towards something cool, like a game or a DVD movie. SONY VERTICAL STAND One of the biggest revelations by Sony at the initial official announcement of the PlayStation2 was that you could stand the system vertically in addition to the normal, horizontal position. The preliminary response from most PlayStation owners was laughter followed by jokes about how they have to stand their current PlayStation vertically right now to get past the system's overheating and skipping problems. Whether or not this was one of the reasons why Sony decided to create the PS2 so that it could stand vertically, doesn't really matter. The bottom line is that the system looks like a brilliant work of art when it's standing in the vertical position. I've always loved the design of the PS2 and thought that it would work well in both the horizontal and vertical positions, but after seeing this sleek, black baby sitting upright with the vertical stand, I don't think I'll ever use it in the horizontal position. The PS2 will in fact stand vertically on its own, without the Vertical Stand, but it just doesn't look quite as stylish. In addition, the wide base adds a great deal of stability to the system in the vertical position. The PS2 is an expensive piece of equipment, so the idea of having the system knocked over numerous times isn't a pretty picture. Also, the laser in most DVD players is very precise and can easily get unaligned. Again, having the system get knocked down a lot wouldn't be a good thing. The PlayStation 2 Vertical Stand is sold separately in the United States and carries a $14.99. If you have any plans on having the PS2 stand in the vertical position, it's a must-have piece of plastic. That is, if you have any sort of a sense for fashion. HOME