Reviewed: January 30, 2007
Reviewed by: Mark Smith
Manufacturer
Sony
Type: Remote Control
System: PlayStation 3
Rating: 9.0
MSRP: $24.99
I’ve always been a huge opponent of using game systems as DVD players. It’s my belief that these systems only have so much “life” in them and why would I want to waste precious potential gaming hours watching a movie. And for what it's worth, I’ve been able to stand by my convictions through the PS2, Xbox, and even the Xbox 360, but Sony’s new PlayStation 3 is another matter entirely.Launching with the all-new Blu-ray movie (BD) format DVD player, the PS3 is still the cheapest (about $300 cheaper) way to experience the amazing quality of Blu-ray movies without paying upwards of $900-$1,000 for a dedicated DVD player that doesn’t even play games. You don’t have to be an accountant to do that math.
Sony even seems to be promoting the watching of BD movies by including a BD version of Talladega Nights with their initial batch of launch systems, and I have to admit, my personal BD movie collection now numbers in the “teens” only after two months of owning my PS3.
If you plan on watching a lot of movies you are going to need a good remote control…or do you? The PS3 comes with a fully functional quasi-remote control interface that appears as an overlay. It’s very similar to the DVD interface on the PS2 with a few BD-specific options, and now that the SIXAXIS controller is wireless, you do have the luxury of wireless remote control over your movies.
But if you are craving a more conventional remote control for your PS3 you are going to love the PlayStation 3 Blu-Ray Disc Remote Control. It features the same sexy black styling and finish of the PS3 and the SIXAXIS while combining all the functionality of the game controller and a DVD remote.
At first I didn’t think there was really a need for this remote, especially at the salty price tag of $24.99, but now that I have been using it for about a week I can’t imagine life without it. I use the remote to turn on my PS3, even when I’m about to play a game. It just seems much more natural to do it this way as well as navigating the XMB.
Out of the box, you need only insert the pair of AA batteries (included) then register your Bluetooth device with the PS3 following the simple pairing instructions. Once linked to your PS3, your remote can only be used on another system if you repeat the pairing process, and if you return it to your original system you will need to pair it once again.
What may be either a blessing or a curse is the power-on function that will turn on your PS3 if you touch any button on the remote. I’ve only accidentally turned on the PS3 twice in the past week, but that is two times more than any other remote controlled device I’ve ever owned.
Can you live without the Blu-Ray remote? Probably. If you don’t plan to watch any movies or not a lot of movies then you can certainly get by with the built-in interface and the wireless SIXAXIS, but if you plan on using your PS3 as your new BD movie player then you will want to invest the $25 to add yet another remote to your coffee table.