Everyone knows that the PlayStation 3 is more than just a gaming system. It allows connectivity to the Internet, the ability to enjoy music in your home, DVD playback as well as the capability to enjoy the latest generation of media; Blu-Ray. Just like with the PlayStation 2, you can use your PS3 controller to navigate through the menus on the Blu-Ray discs, but it can be time consuming, cumbersome, and it’s not nearly as easy as what you will find using your standard remote. Just like with the PlayStation 2 though, Sony has a remote for all you blossoming Blu-Ray aficionados to replace fumbling with the controller.

The PlayStation 3 Blu-Ray remote utilizes the same Bluetooth technology as what the systems SIXAXIS controllers do, and trying to remember what button corresponds to what function or spending time quickly jumping through hoops to access one of the players features. This remote is just like the one that you have with your standard DVD player, television, VCR (if you even still own one) or just about anything else. You still have many of the same buttons as on the PS3 controller clearly labeled, so it’s easy to locate your square, triangle, L3, etc.

Setting the remote up is just as easy as adding another controller to your system. Select and Start will allow the PlayStation 3 to recognize that you’re using a new “controller” and it’s as simple as that. The device also has the PS button so you can turn the system off without needing to get up off the couch. Just about every button you would ever need as far as menus are concerned is found her as well. You can turn the subtitles on and off, adjust the audio, switch angles and everything else that you would expect. The remote also features colored buttons (red, blue, yellow, and green) which will have some future use, though at this point I have found no Blu-Ray that utilize these, and from what I’ve managed to surmise, it will correspond to various features on release (if studios make proper use of them.)

The remote may be easier to use than what the PS3 controller is, at least in my opinion, but there are a few features that I wish were included. My DVD remote for example will allow me to control the TV and even the VCR if I feel the need (and it’s also Sony, actually all my electronics are) but the Blu-Ray remote will ONLY work with the PS3. There isn’t an option or switch to allow you to control the volume on the TV for instance, so if I decide that maybe things are a bit too loud, I need to grab the other remote, and maybe it’s on the other side of the room. Sure, the walk isn’t going to kill me, but it’s the convenience mind you. I have also read a few write-ups that have complained that the remote lacks backlighting, but I don’t feel that’s necessarily a drawback. Once you’ve used a remote enough, you tend to know exactly where the buttons are anyway, so in complete darkness save for the glow of the television, being able to see the buttons isn’t always a requirement.

There are a lot of people saying that the PS3 is currently one of the best Blu-Ray players on the market, and while I can’t really compare (I don’t have a grand to spend on one right now) I can say that the functionality and ability to due more than just gaming is part of the appeal of the PS3. If you’re intent goes beyond just the latest and greatest video game on the market, the Blu-Ray remote is a must have and at under $25, it’s not a bad investment at all.

-mike-