[charlie_ps2]

We all want to test this one! I should be getting one in a week or so and I'll report.

The spec is good and the enhanced price is pitched to meet the enhanced spec. So, of course, Messiah 2 is coming down in price to maintain a value for money proposition.

The feature that matters most (and which will be very difficult to test) is the stealth mode as regards DNAS protected network games.

Some users will benefit from macrovision defeat but that's available on DVD players that give a better picture and don't cost much more than the DMS3.

Another feature will give benefit in due course. That is the ability to store applications written for the PS2 (it is a Unix box!) that have been stored on a memory card.

By corollary it will be useful to be able to upgrade the code to manage applications residing on a HDD, for example.

Many of the other features are exotic (particularly the use of the Eject button for ½ second to get a DVD movie going.

Also DVD Region Free will benefit PAL users in the main, plus Japanese who want to see US movies, plus Hispanics in USA that want to see Latin American stuff, .... but of course NTSC users will not be able to see PAL movies.

In summary, the PS2 modchip scene shuffles along, putting DM3 at the top of the range (with price to match). As a value for money proposition, well you need to consider what you will need to use rather than just go for the top-of-the-line willy nilly.

I hope you regard that as a reasonable assessment.