Reviewed by: Funkadelic
Rated:
Posted on: November 16, 2000

Various video game magazine and Web sites have made much noise about the inadequacies of the PlayStation2's DualShock2 controller regarding DVD movie viewing. In my opinion, unless you are a hardcore movie watcher, the DualShock2 fares pretty well against the third-party DVD remotes currently available. In fact, unlike the wireless remotes, the DualShock2 guarantees each button press will respond 99.9% of the time. That said, Pelican Accessories' DVD remote is a decent remote for those who want a more authentic feel while watching movies. Although the remote has serious flaws, it does have some positive qualities.

The first thing every PS2 DVD remote needs is a pass-thru port. Without this important feature, you can expect to do plenty of unplugging and replugging as you swap between the controller and the remote receiver. Thankfully, Pelican's DVD remote has a pass-thru receiver that lets users plug a controller into it, sparing an all-important controller port. Unfortunately, this is where the first flaw rears its ugly head.

First off, if you accidentally press a button on the DVD remote while playing a game with a controller plugged into the pass-thru, the controller will cease to function for twenty seconds. Furthermore, some games will occasionally fail to recognize the controller plugged into the pass-thru. During each of my sessions with Madden NFL 2001, a message would pop up several minutes into the game asking that I plug in a controller, even though I never removed it. The only way to avoid this is to plug the pass-thru receiver into the second controller port, which quickly solves the problem. Naturally, during two-player games, you will have an unfair advantage while your friend is left with a functionless controller. I also must mention that you should not use any other type of remote (e.g., TV, VCR, stereo, etc.) while using the PS2 DVD remote, as it will interfere with the signal.

Fortunately, this remote has all the important buttons, and it does not contain a pesky reverse-button flaw à la Saitek's DVD remote. The main buttons include the following: Rewind & Fast Forward, Previous Chapter & Next Chapter, Menu, Play/Pause, Subtitle, and Audio (switches between audio tracks). Where are the Stop and Enter buttons, you ask? Well, Pelican's DVD remote has the four standard game-controller buttons (i.e., Triangle, Square, Circle, and X), which provide several functions. For example, the X button serves as the Enter/Cancel button, while the Circle button will stop the movie. Of course, the remote also has a wobbly D-pad, which you use to navigate menus.

All the buttons, unfortunately, have a cheap feel and poor response. The schizophrenic receiver only makes things more maddening, as I often had to stand directly in front of it when pressing a button. Strangely, though, the remote does seem to have a good range — and you can point it at any angle — but you are never guaranteed a response no matter how close or far you stand, or how straight you point the remote. So, in other words, you can forget about using this remote to play an interactive DVD-Video like Hologram Time Traveler, because you will get nowhere fast. Basic movie watching fares somewhat better, if only because there are fewer button presses to make and response time is not as crucial.

Style and comfort is where Pelican's DVD remote is head and shoulders above the rest. With a sleek design that feels great in your hand, and a groovy clear case that allows you to see its innards, this remote should appeal to those looking for style over substance. Still, the overall look does not blend well with the PS2 system. If you want a remote that complements the design of the PS2, the Saitek remote is the one for you. Too bad it does not provide any better performance...

In closing, of all the PS2 DVD remotes I tested, I liked this one the best, oddly enough. However, Pelican's remote contains several serious flaws that will mar the movie-watching experience for true movie buffs. For everyone else, though, it is an inexpensive accessory that will get the job done until something better comes along, namely, Sony's official PS2 DVD remote.

Requires two AAA batteries