New PS2 announced

[Mattalos]

Sony will release a new model of PlayStation 2 named SCPH-50000, which will be compatible with DVD movies in DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW and DVD-RAM format. In addition, the new model also include a built-in infrared sensor, which is used for the new DVD remote. The machine also features progressive scan support, 30% less operating noise from cooling fan, and 400g lighter weight. The new PlayStation 2 will launch in Japan on May 15, for 25,000 yen. (In a side note, Sony will stop producing the old SCPH-39000 model.) - from MagicBox

Oh, and...

- Sony will also release a new PS2 DVD remote control SCPH-10420 on the May 15, for 2200 yen. The SCPH-10420 includes new functions such as switch on/off main power, and open/close disc tray.

[GizmoDVD]

Now only if they can stop the amount of PS2s that break...

[khieng]

I would much prefer Microsoft to redesign their system and come out with a smaller and lighter model.

[kaiyouske]

Originally posted by khieng
I would much prefer Microsoft to redesign their system and come out with a smaller and lighter model.

Yes, and name it the 'X-boy'. *cough*

[JNielsen]

The SCPH-10420 includes new functions such as switch on/off main power, and open/close disc tray.
:up: I've been waiting for that.

[Superboy]

<i>The SCPH-10420 includes new functions such as switch on/off main power, and open/close disc tray.</i>

I don't understand why these features are necessary when you have to get up to change the discs and the DVD player automatically goes into standby mode when you press stop.

[Gideon68]

Originally posted by GizmoDVD
Now only if they can stop the amount of PS2s that break...

But that's how they sold 50 million units.

[Joshic]

I don't understand why these features are necessary when you have to get up to change the discs and the DVD player automatically goes into standby mode when you press stop.
Well, here are two arguments for the new remote features:
1.) DVD players with a single tray also have remote power and open/close disc tray features. So why not the PS2?
2.) If you're using a wireless PS2 controller and a home theater system where everything is controlled with a remote, the only system that you have to get up to turn on/off is the PS2. Sometimes you play one game exclusively for a week or more at a time, and there's no need to get up to open/close the tray. So in that case you want a remote power on/off. I wish my PS2 & Xbox had remote power on/off - there are the only systems in my HT setup that don't have remote power. And it's annoying.

[young]

sounds good to me... i especially like the 30% quieter part.

of course, i'm not going to buy it unless my old one breaks or something.
-
about the remote, i hope it is backlit w/ a better button layout. i, too, would appreciate the power button.

-
they could have thrown in a built in hard drive. i've become spoiled by the xbox's built in drive... no more switching memory cards.

[spankyj]

Any ideas as to a US release date?

[Goldberg74]

What will it look like?

[young]

here's cnet's article on it. they say that the firewire port will be gone (if that matters). 75% quieter cooling system.

http://news.com.com/2100-1043-996748.html?tag=cd_mh

[menaz]

Originally posted by Joshic
Well, here are two arguments for the new remote features:
1.) DVD players with a single tray also have remote power and open/close disc tray features. So why not the PS2?
2.) If you're using a wireless PS2 controller and a home theater system where everything is controlled with a remote, the only system that you have to get up to turn on/off is the PS2. Sometimes you play one game exclusively for a week or more at a time, and there's no need to get up to open/close the tray. So in that case you want a remote power on/off. I wish my PS2 & Xbox had remote power on/off - there are the only systems in my HT setup that don't have remote power. And it's annoying.

Couldnt have said it better myself. I have been complaining about the lack of ON/OFF on a remote since the release date. At least on the xbox someone found a way to hack it, PS2 had no way of adding that feature.

[Josh H]

Originally posted by khieng
I would much prefer Microsoft to redesign their system and come out with a smaller and lighter model.

I agree, and this is rumored to be in the works. The current model is too wide to fit under the TV with my other consoles, and the weight makes me hesitant to stack it on top of my DVD player (only free space I have in my hometheater other than under the TV). The beveled top makes things not sit well on top of it. It's just a poor design all around IMO.

A smaller, lighter X-box will be tempting when Halo 2 comes out.

[tanman]

any pics yet? if its coming out in a few weeks then there should be pics available.

This is good news. Maybe I can pick up an old PS2 for cheap.

[Mattalos]

I dont necessarily think it will look any different...

[Josh H]

Yeah, the article says nothing about a design change. I imagine it will be the exact same size and shape, if for no other reason than not having to put out new stands and multi-taps.

[MrPink]

I knew this would happen when I bought my PS2.

[tanman]

there has always traditionally been design changes when a 2.0 system is released to entice people to buy it again. I would be surprised if Sony did not follow...

[joshd2012]

New Remote (http://ps2media.ign.com/ps2/image/ps2spch50kremote_041403_01.jpg)

[JNielsen]

Originally posted by joshd2012
New Remote (http://ps2media.ign.com/ps2/image/ps2spch50kremote_041403_01.jpg) http://ps2media.ign.com/ps2/image/ps2spch50kremote_041403_01.jpg

[glassdragon]

my xbox just got louder since in installed the ceiling fan in it to cool it down better rotfl

[slop101]

Originally posted by khieng
I would much prefer Microsoft to redesign their system and come out with a smaller and lighter model.

It's going to be officially announced at E3.

[Josh H]

Originally posted by tanman
there has always traditionally been design changes when a 2.0 system is released to entice people to buy it again. I would be surprised if Sony did not follow...

Not true for sony. They designed the PSX once or twice prior to the ultra small PSONE and it looked identical, simply having different insides and I believe different ports. For instance the PSX that came with dual shock was a different model than the original, but looked identical.

[Gideon68]

There was actually 4 differeent Playstation models before the PSOne was released.

[sniper308]

Originally posted by Josh Hinkle
I agree, and this is rumored to be in the works. The current model is too wide to fit under the TV with my other consoles, and the weight makes me hesitant to stack it on top of my DVD player (only free space I have in my hometheater other than under the TV). The beveled top makes things not sit well on top of it. It's just a poor design all around IMO.

A smaller, lighter X-box will be tempting when Halo 2 comes out.

Come on Josh, join the "dark" side. I just picked one up and Halo rocks... moved my cube to another room and now I'm set no matter where the "old lady" :D wants to watch TV.

Used my 10% off at Best Buy a few weekends ago and took the plunge. probably should have waited for the E3 price drop, but what the heck.

[darkside]

PS2? Xbox? What I want to know is when the smaller lighter GameCube is coming out. I'm tired of draging that big bulky thing around. ;)

[joshd2012]

Originally posted by Gideon68
There was actually 4 differeent Playstation models before the PSOne was released.

The PS2 is already on its 3rd revision I believe:

Original design (w/o hdd area)
HDD design (aka, the one released in US and Japan)
Updated DVD (w/ newer DVD software)

[fujishig]

Huh? Don't even the first PS2 models have room for the HDD?

[Bruce_S]

I'm going to hold of unti PS3 comes out... I got my PS2 at launch and it has a space for the hard drive. The HD must have a connection of the Network Adapter...

I'm curious, if the 'old' model of PS2 will be able to upgrade the dvd software to progressive scan...??

[Sherbz]

The PS2 with a PCMCIA slot (I believe that's what it had) and no space for the hard drive was only released in Japan.

[jekbrown]

Originally posted by Josh Hinkle
and the weight makes me hesitant to stack it on top of my DVD player

unless the body of your dvd player is damaged somehow, the weight of the x-box is no problem for it to support. Hell, i used to have my A/V system set up in a stack, and my dvd player was under my receiver... which weighs atleast 5x what the xbox does...

people really over-state the weight of the xbox... its no big deal, really.

j

[spankyj]

Putting this back to the top. Any info on a US release date?

[Groucho]

Originally posted by jekbrown
people really over-state the weight of the xbox... its no big deal, really.I agree. I've made my share of "Friggin' Huge" jokes, but it's not all that heavy.

Those original controllers on the other hand...who designed 'em...King Kong?

[Decker]

Originally posted by Groucho
Those original controllers on the other hand...who designed 'em...King Kong?
Well, their focus group apparently really loved them. Unfortunately their focus group was the Dallas Maverics