• Enables DVD movie playback functionality on the Xbox
• Includes remote control
• Infrared receiver plugs into Xbox controller port
• Makes your Xbox a complete entertainment system
• Required for DVD functionality on the Xbox

Got an Xbox? Do you enjoy watching DVDs? Then you need one of these. This DVD playback kit unlocks the DVD functionality of Microsoft's powerful Xbox and helps make the console an even more important addition to your home entertainment deck.

Feeling rather light in hand, this remote features large keys that feel rubbery yet firm. The kit sports some of the basic functions you'd expect from a common controller, including chapter skip, play, pause, and number buttons. There's also handy 32x fast-forward and reverse controls.

Pressing the display button calls up a friendly onscreen menu that allows access to more features, including up to 10x magnification, A-B playback loop (for cueing and viewing favorite scenes repeatedly), and subtitle and audio options. It's worth noting that many lower-cost DVD remotes have access to such features through the press of a button. The fact that this one requires you to use a menu to access such common commands may rankle DVD aficionados, as the menu is a bit slower than using buttons. Still, the menu is quite intuitive and couldn't be much easier to use.

For the remote to work, you'll need to plug the included infrared receiver into an open controller port on the Xbox. Most gamers will never need to unplug the receiver again, as you can plug it into the rarely used fourth port. Interestingly, the receiver works best when the remote is operated almost directly in front of it, and can be a little finicky when signals are sent from the far left or right.

The couch potato crowd won't be thrilled to learn that the remote does not include power or eject buttons. Why such standard features were omitted escapes us, but that is far and away the worst thing we can say about an otherwise decent control. --Mark Brooks

Pros:

• Though very lightweight, the controller seems sturdily made and the buttons are large and comfy
• Uses any of the 4 Xbox game controller ports; rarely gets in the way
• Gives the Xbox cool DVD playback features
• Onscreen menu is very easy to use

Product Description
The DVD Movie Playback Kit is a quick way to expand the functionality of the best gaming machine around! Xbox requires this kit to enable DVD movie playback. Simply plug in the infrared receiver to a controllerport and use the remote control designed for DVD movie playback. No messy cables or confusing game controllers to deal with!