For the fiddly bits (Sony Blu-Ray Disc Remote Control PS3)

Member Name: illogicology

Product:	Sony Blu-Ray Disc Remote Control PS3
Date:	29/07/09 (28 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great build quality, makes browsing blu-rays and PlayTV much easier, also accesses standard PS3 menu

Disadvantages: Runs on AAs, would have been nice to see USB charged battery pack like other controllers

Let me just preface this review by telling you that I bought this item as part of a movie bundle. It contained a blu-ray, HDMI cable and the remote itself. It was a great bargain and cost me about the same as the individual price for the remote itself. As such it was a great bargain for me but I can't say if I'd find it as good value if I'd just bought the remote.

This remote is a bluetooth device that functions as a basic Playstation 3 controller. It is designed to allow the owner to browse, scan and interact with blu-ray disks in an easier fashion than the PS3's joypad style controller. This is pretty useful as the buttons on the Dual Shock 3 or Sixaxis controllers are designed for gaming and have simple controls mapped on. While you can access all the features through an on screen menu, the extra remote has all the options on a single piece of kit and really is the preferred way to watch movies. It also has the added benefit of being perfectly capable of browsing various PS3 menus and options. This means that aside from gaming, the extra features of the PS3 can all be accessed via this remote. If like me, you have the auto-loading of disks disabled then it means you can start up the movie without two controllers.

While it is very handy for blu-rays, that is not the reason I purchased the remote. I also have a PlayTV, the PS3's freeview tuner. The PlayTV software records live TV as well as all the other freeview options and this means a huge range of functions that are a serious hassle to manage on the Sixaxis controller. This remote is also capable of operating the PlayTV and an overlay is also included in the PlayTV package for this remote.

I wasn't sure when I picked this up if I used it, however since then it has become a standard piece of kit when using the PS3 for anything other than gaming.

Summary: Should become standard equipment for anyone who uses the full range of PS3 functions.