Okay, after the poetry, the hardware setup ensues. Before getting into anything, you must declare your native tongue and time zone. There is no need to set the internal clock further, as it comes already synched.

Sony has wisely adopted the Browser metaphor of the Web, to which ultimately the PS2 will connect. In this context, however, you can browse your memory card, managing your game files. Once we actually get saved games onto this 8MB memory card (add $35 to the purchase price for that), we will report back. Our understanding is that unlike the PS memory cards, these are much larger and will hold a substantial number of saved games.

The Browser window also recognizes and accesses DVDs and audio CDs when one is in the drive. We'll come back to the actual DVD performance of the PS2 in a subsequent article. For now, we can attest to the fact that it works and at first glance it works quite well. The controller doubles as a DVD controller. Specific buttons are assigned to common DVD navigation chores. The shoulder buttons advance through chapters, the triangle calls up the DVD disks own master menu, and the select button superimposes a DVD menu that lets you scroll through the options and jump to specific disk chapters.

The System Configuration menu reveals a wealth of goodies that give you a sense of the processing power and output versatility of the machine. The Digital Out toggle lets you direct surround sound signals through the optical cable output and into a home theater setup. This probably will be your audio video home theater receiver.