After last Friday's European debut of the PlayStation 2, gamers have been frantically putting the new console through its paces over the weekend, and are beginning to uncover potential problems.

First, the PS2 requires multiple connections to a TV if users want to play games and watch DVDs. The console supports RGB SCART cables - used by the original PlayStation, and almost all TV, video and DVD kit shipped into Europe - for games playback, but not for DVD.

Instead, the manual admits, users will have to use a second cable, either an aerial cable, S Video line or AV cable.

As Register reader Chris Hardy puts it: "So I get a bloody expensive DVD player which won't output RGB even though the Japanese PS2 will happily do so. And now I have to damage my expensive TV by unplugging and plugging in EuroAV and AV cables!"

A desperate bid to help prevent users taping DVDs? Chris thinks so. Whatever, it's a pretty naff implementation if you ask us.

Meanwhile, the UK edition of Gamespot, reports that some users have been experiencing problems with their consoles' fan - described by one user as "knackered", but with little indication of just what that constitutes.

We hear that some fans stop working, causing the console to overheat and power down. However, Sony has yet to confirm the problem.

Other reports point out PS2s with faulty on-off switches, though by all accounts Sony and its retailers are replacing these when requested. ®