Some questions from a newbie...! Just need a little help...

Hi , all.
I\'m a newbie in this playstation 2 area, and I\'m thinking of
buying one. But firstly I have to know some things
So, I would really appreciate it if anyone answered me
a bunch of questions. I know some things already, but I have to
hear (read) it from you guys, it would be better
this way.
I\'m gonna buy the european (UK) version of playstation2.

So here we are:

1. Will i have the option to connect an external hard disk? I heard Sony is planning on realeasing one...

2. What about DVD movies? Will I be able to watch them, without adding any chip or memory card? Are they played
quite well without scene skipping and other problems?

3. I know its compatible with ps1 games. But only with the originals? What about cd-rs? Will I have to use
a chip or a memory card for those?

4. I\'ve heard you can\'t play VCDs. is this right? If so, is there any chip or memory card I can plug in
that it will make ps2 to be able to play VCDs?

5. Will I be able to connect a 5.1 (optical connection -
like Cambridge DTT 3500  [  http://www.europe.creative.com/products/product.asp?lang=1&cate=3&prod=145  ]
5.1 surround speakers) system?
I\'ve actually got  DTT2200   [ http://www.europe.creative.com/products/product.asp?lang=1&cate=3&prod=150  ]  
which is with analog connection (no optical). So will I be able to connect these , too? What about DTT 2500
digital? [ http://www.europe.creative.com/products/product.asp?lang=1&cate=3&prod=15  ]


6. What about an ethernet - network card?

7. Can I connect ps2 to a CRT dirplay? (u know a usual PC display)?

8. What about the connection to TV. Is there a Scart, and a S-Video  option? What about a composite cable?

9. I\'ve heard you can watch all regions DVD movies. Will this be with a chip oe with a memory card, or anything else?

10. What about a DTS audio support?

11. What are actually the differences between the different versions of PS2 (Japa, US, European, etc)??

12. Does it have PCMCIA ports?

thanx in advance
stark

1.  Yes.  There will be an external and an internal.  I think the PS2s on sale now only allow an internal one though.  Only the first Japanese PS2s are compatible with external.

2.  Yes.  The PS2\'s DVD player is pretty good.  It does not skip or anything like that.  It is lacking a couple features like zoom and frame-by-frame viewing though.

3.  Piracy is not allowed on these forums.  And you need a chip to play pirated PSX games on the PS2.  I am not sure if there are even chips to do that though (nor do I care).

4. No.  You can\'t play VCDs.

5. I am pretty sure yes, but I\'ll pass this to someone else that knows more about it.

6. Yes.  I am not sure about the European release date though.

7. I\'ll pass this to someone else.

8. Yes.  You have to buy the cables for it though.

9. Nope.  Only the first Japanese PS2s could do that.  They fixed the problem though.

10.  Yes.  Some games are finally starting to support it.  It probably won\'t be until late next year until most games use it though.

11.  Actually, not too much.  The only difference I can think of is the DVD region thing.  You can only watch DVDs that are in your region.

12.  I\'ll pass this one to someone else too.

Thanx for the reply. Sorry for that pirate thing. It wasn\'t my intention to abuse the forum or anything.. sorry.
I\'ll be waiting for more replies...
stark