How to Connect and Play PlayStation 2

The PlayStation 2 is one of the most popular video game consoles in the world, but it would be a bit difficult to connect to a TV these days. Many newer TVs do not have a standard PlayStation 2 AV cable support port. Fortunately, there are ways to connect PlayStation 2 to a TV, and it just takes a little patience and you’ll be fine.

Table of Contents

Connecting PlayStation 2

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Check the input on the TV. There are different ways you can connect your PlayStation 2 to your TV or receiver, depending on what input is available. Different inputs will provide different levels of picture quality. You can usually find the inputs on the back of the TV, sometimes on the side or front of the unit.

Composite/Stereo AV – This is the most common way to connect PlayStation 2 to a TV, receiver, or VCR player. The composite cable has three plugs: yellow (video – image), red and white (audio – audio). This cable is usually included with all PlayStation 2 models. Newer HD TVs may not support this connection.
Component/YCbCr – This is the most superior way to connect PlayStation 2 to newer TVs, most HD TVs have this port. Component cables also deliver the best possible picture quality for PlayStation 2. Component cables have five connectors: red, blue, and green (picture), red, and white (audio). This cable is not included with the PlayStation 2. If you purchased a component cord, check that the cable has a connector that is compatible with the port on the PlayStation 2.
S-Video – This port is not very common on newer TVs. Although the picture quality from this connection is better than that of a composite cable, it will not be as good as a component cable. The S-Video jack is usually yellow and has pins instead of the standard AV jack. The PlayStation 2 S-Video cable has an S-Video jack along with a red and white audio header.
RF – This is the most restrictive way to connect PlayStation 2 to a TV or VCR as it produces poor picture quality. The RF connects through the coaxial port of the TV/VCR (the analog input you would normally use with an old cable box or antenna). Avoid using this type of connection, unless you have no other choice.

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Prepare the right cables. If you bought a new PlayStation 2, a composite cable is included in the box. If you need a different cable, you can order it from Sony or an online store like Lazada. Because PlayStation 2 uses a specific connection port, you’ll need to double-check the description to make sure you’re purchasing the correct cable for PlayStation 2.

Video Cable for PlayStation 2 will work with all models of this generation console.

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Place the PlayStation 2 near the TV or receiver. PlayStation 2 needs to be placed in a place with lots of open space so it doesn’t overheat. Avoid placing your PS2 on top of or below other electronic devices. If there is a stand, you can place the PlayStation 2 vertically to save space. The PS2 should be close enough to the TV and power outlet so that the picture cable and power cord don’t get too stretched. ^{[1] X Research Source}

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Plug the video cable into the back of the PlayStation 2. All PlayStation 2 video cables plug into the same port on the back of the console. The video port is located in the lower right corner behind the PlayStation 2 fat (original), and next to the power connector is on the right side of the back of the PlayStation 2 slim (thin version). This port is marked as “AV MULTI OUT”.

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Plug the other end of the video cable into the TV. Make a note of the port you are connecting to so you can find the correct input when the TV is turned on. Proceed to plug the cable into the port of the corresponding color.

The audio connection (red and white) may not match the picture input on the TV. If the TV only supports mono, you can simply use the red audio jack.
When you connect the component cable, you will have two red plugs. In it, one end is the image and the other end is the sound. If you lay the cable on a flat surface, the order of the connectors will be red, blue, green (visual set) and white, red (audio set).
If the TV only has a component port, and you only have a composite cable available, you will still be able to connect. Plug in the red and white audio cables as usual, then try plugging the yellow end into the green port. If the image shows up in black and white, try plugging the yellow end into another blue or red port.
If you are in Europe, you may need a Euro-AV connector to plug the composite cable into the SCART drive on the TV. This connector is available in packaging for new PS2 models in Europe.

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Connect a digital audio cable (optional). With a 5.1 surround sound system, you may need to connect the Digital Out (Optical) audio port on your PS2 to the receiver using a TOSLINK cable. This only applies if you have the necessary equipment and want to listen to 5.1 surround sound. The Digital Out (Optical) port is usually located next to the video port on the back of the PlayStation 2.

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Plug in the PlayStation 2 power cable. PS2 fat and PlayStation 2 slim have different power cables. To connect the PS2 fat, you need to plug the “figure 8” end of the power cable into the back of your PlayStation 2, then plug the other end into a wall outlet/extension. With the PS2 slim, connect the power cable to the yellow “DC IN” jack on the back of the unit, connect the power brick power supply, and then plug the last end of the cable into a wall outlet/extension.

Cables need to have a certain amount of slack so that the connection is not overstretched.

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Connect an Ethernet cable (optional). Some PS2s have an online feature, so you need to connect your PlayStation 2 to your home network via an Ethernet cable to access the Internet. PS2 slim has a built-in Ethernet adapter, while PlayStation 2 fat requires an additional network adapter.

You don’t need to set up the network at the system level. Instead, each game will handle the network settings on its own when you make the connection.
Some online multiplayer PS2 games no longer have network access because the servers have long since been down.

Play PlayStation 2

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Connect a gamepad to your PlayStation 2. You need to use an official PlayStation 2 controller (named DualShock 2), or a third-party controller designed for PS2. All new PlayStation 2 models come with a DualShock 2 controller built-in. While the PS1 controller cannot be used with the PS2, you can use the PS1 controller when playing PS1 games.

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Insert a memory card (optional). If you want to save game progress, you need to use a PS2 memory card with an official capacity of 8 MB, this storage space is enough for many games. In addition, PS2 also has official memory cards with larger capacities such as 16 MB and 32 MB. You can also buy an unofficial memory card with a huge capacity, but doing so has the potential to conflict or corrupt saved data. An external hard drive is also an alternative to a memory card, but you’ll need a memory card to install the hard drive’s software.

You can play games without a memory card or hard drive, but progress will be lost every time you shut down the system or switch to another game.
The memory card is inserted just above the controller handle. Note: the label of the memory card needs to be facing up when inserted.

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Turn on the TV and switch to the appropriate input. Turn on the TV and switch to the input the PlayStation 2 connects to. If PS2 is connected to a VCR or receiver, you must set the VCR/receiver as the corresponding input, which needs to be done simultaneously with the TV.

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Turn on PS2. Press the power button on the front of the PlayStation 2. The light will light up green and if the appropriate input has been selected, the PS2 welcome logo will appear. If you don’t have a game on your PC, the screen will go to the PS2 system menu. If you have inserted the game, the game will automatically be started right after the boot screen.

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Put the game on the computer. Press the Eject button on the front of the PlayStation 2 to eject the disc tray (PS2 fat) or pop the player cover (PS2 slim). Place the game disc in the tray or spinner. Close the lid (PS2 slim) or press the Eject button again to retract the disc tray (PS2 fat).

Do not remove the game disc while playing, or the game will exit without being saved.
Note: do not touch the disc surface when inserting or removing the game. Thus, the disc will be less scratched, damaged and used longer.

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Start the game in progressive scan mode (with component connection only). If the PS2 is connected via a component cable, you will be able to enable progressive scan (480p). This mode produces clearer images, but is only supported with certain games. To activate this mode, you hold down the △ + ✕ button after the PlayStation 2 logo appears at the start of the game. If the game supports progressive scan mode, a message will appear instructing you how to enable it. Also, there are no system settings for this mode.

Steps

Connecting PlayStation 2

Play PlayStation 2

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