PS3 DVD Upscaling

[Prophet X]

I'm a little confused as to what the different menu options do for PS3's DVD upscaling feature.

The options are "Normal" "Double Scale" and "Full Screen" and I'm a bit confused as to what exactly each option does, or how to get the best possible picture for my current video setup. Right now I have a Sony 3LCD 42-inch LCD projection TV hooked up with a Sony-brand HDMI cable in 1080i resolution. I've searched for some type of FAQ or instructions that go into detail about PS3's DVD upscaling feature and have had no luck.

[Terjyn]

Originally Posted by Prophet X

I'm a little confused as to what the different menu options do for PS3's DVD upscaling feature.

The options are "Normal" "Double Scale" and "Full Screen" and I'm a bit confused as to what exactly each option does, or how to get the best possible picture for my current video setup. Right now I have a Sony 3LCD 42-inch LCD projection TV hooked up with a Sony-brand HDMI cable in 1080i resolution. I've searched for some type of FAQ or instructions that go into detail about PS3's DVD upscaling feature and have had no luck.

I may have this slightly wrong, but here is how I understand it.

Normal upscales the picture to the display you are using, but keeps the aspect ratio and will tack on black bars to fill out the rest of the resolution. (640x480 upscaled to 1080p will give 1440x1080 with black bars around the 1440)

Double Scale does what it sounds like, it doubles size in both directions (640x480 becomes 1280x960)

Full screen upscales the picture to the display you are using, including stretching it out as necessary to fill up the entire screen. (640x480 upscaled to 1080p will give the full 1920x1080, but will stretch the 1440 out to 1920)

Which one you want to use is very dependent on both what you want to see and what your TV can do for you. For example if the stretch doesn't bother you you may still want to use normal because your TV may do a better job of the stretch than the PS3 does.

[Shin-Ra]

Someone elses explanation:

Originally Posted by Toptube

normal mode upscales to whatever output resolution your PS3 is set to---while keeping the original aspect of whatever you are watching.

full mode stretches anything to fit your entire screen basically no matter what, without much regard for aspect. Its pretty much for those who absolutely HATE black bars.

double scale is just that, it doubles the original resolution of whatever you are watching. Its there for people who don't mind losing some size in exchange for a bit sharper of a picture. Its not really a big deal on 720p TVs, but I've seen a decent amount of people who prefer it for their 1080p TVs.

[Kratos3]

With your TV, Normal should do the trick. There's not a real appreciable difference b/t Normal and Full, except if the DVD is not anamorphic, or for special features and such that are displayed 4:3. I just leave mine on Full for DVDs. That way it will fill the screen as appropriate for what's on the disc.

[Prophet X]

Ah, that helps somewhat. I'm basically trying to upscale the DVD content to the maximum definition possible, while still preserving the original aspect ratio, regardless. I'm trying to avoid the "rubber band people" effect. Sounds like "Normal" is probably the best setting for my current setup.

[U-Phorik]

I must say DVD's look much, much cleaner on the PS3 than the PS2, it's night and day, at least in my eyes.

[Nooblet]

not sure if it is related, in the latest firmware, whenever you change the upscaling properties from full/norm/double there is a message saying that it will not upscale copyright dvd-r/rw through component cables. Why is this? What do they mean by copyright dvds? For example if I watch original dvds, will it still upscale? What about the divx videos?
I guess I just don't quite understand this message. Can anyone explain? Thanks in advance.

[Beast]

I still get normal black bars for widescreen movies with Full Screen Upscaler on DVDs.

The only benefit I seem to get from is it is the stretching of Full Screen DVDs so that there's no black bars on the sides of the picture. Works great for TV shows like Family Guy.

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by Nooblet

not sure if it is related, in the latest firmware, whenever you change the upscaling properties from full/norm/double there is a message saying that it will not upscale copyright dvd-r/rw through component cables. Why is this? What do they mean by copyright dvds? For example if I watch original dvds, will it still upscale? What about the divx videos?
I guess I just don't quite understand this message. Can anyone explain? Thanks in advance.

The PS3 will not upscale commercially pressed dvds over component connections. This is a limitation imposed on all dvd player manufacturers to prevent piracy.

[vektar]

If possible you should try and use 720p instead of 1080i, I find the picture to be better with 720p. 1080i tends to hurt my eyes more also that’s just personal preference though. Good luck with the up-scaling.

[arbetet]

Originally Posted by U-Phorik

I must say DVD's look much, much cleaner on the PS3 than the PS2, it's night and day, at least in my eyes.

I agree. I have mine set to "normal" and the DVDs look so much better than I expected. That's another reason I won't double-dip.

[Prophet X]

The only benefit I seem to get from is it is the stretching of Full Screen DVDs so that there's no black bars on the sides of the picture. Works great for TV shows like Family Guy.

But then you get to see the "rubber band people" I was talking about. Eh, it's worse when you're watching a native widescreen movie stretched to fit onto a standard 4:3 tv.

And here is another link I found(after I made this post) that could be of some help to other people confused to lack of documentation about the specifics of ps3 hardware updates and features.

http://manuals.playstation.net/docum...ngs/index.html

This link definitely clears up alot of things. Although one thing I can't seem to find alot of information about is using a "super white" video connection...I'm lost as to exactly what that is.

[Kratos3]

Originally Posted by Beast

I still get normal black bars for widescreen movies with Full Screen Upscaler on DVDs.

The only benefit I seem to get from is it is the stretching of Full Screen DVDs so that there's no black bars on the sides of the picture. Works great for TV shows like Family Guy.

Exactly. If a movie or TV show is Full Screen(4:3) it stretches it laterally. Anamorphic DVDs will display as they should.

[bypass]

I read somewhere that a PS3 with the latest firmware rivals the best DVD upconverting players on the market. Particularly, when you max out the settings for Mosquito Noise Reduction, Frame Noise Reduction, and Block Noise Reduction. I have PS3, but nothing else for upconverting DVDs, so I have nothing to benchmark. Can anyone else confirm?

I've also heard noise reduction settings should be turned off if you have a display that is capable of 1080p, which mine is. Should I turn them off?


Thanks in advance

[partridge]

Aside from setting it to normal, I don't use any of the other settings. I can't see any difference when using them.

[Toptube]

Originally Posted by bypass

I read somewhere that a PS3 with the latest firmware rivals the best DVD upconverting players on the market. Particularly, when you max out the settings for Mosquito Noise Reduction, Frame Noise Reduction, and Block Noise Reduction. I have PS3, but nothing else for upconverting DVDs, so I have nothing to benchmark. Can anyone else confirm?

I've also heard noise reduction settings should be turned off if you have a display that is capable of 1080p, which mine is. Should I turn them off?


Thanks in advance

put mosquito and block noise reduction at "2". Upon very close scrutiny, I see basically no difference at "3" with these. In this case, I feel that "less is more" so put it at "2".

frame noise reduction applies an overal noise reduction to the entire picture at once, making it noticeably soft. Turn it off, it is junk.

With mosquito and block set at 2, you'll about halve your noise problems on average I'd say. Still, its not a dramatic difference, but it is there. set it and forget it.

Actually, there is a pretty big difference in clarity and smoothness for onscreen text, like subtitles and credits.

[bypass]

Originally Posted by Toptube

put mosquito and block noise reduction at "2". Upon very close scrutiny, I see basically no difference at "3" with these. In this case, I feel that "less is more" so put it at "2".

frame noise reduction applies an overal noise reduction to the entire picture at once, making it noticeably soft. Turn it off, it is junk.

With mosquito and block set at 2, you'll about halve your noise problems on average I'd say. Still, its not a dramatic difference, but it is there. set it and forget it.

Actually, there is a pretty big difference in clarity and smoothness for onscreen text, like subtitles and credits.

I'll have to try that out. Thanks again!

[Blodskur77]

I Use Full Screen DVD upscaling, Why?? Because I've tested the others, and it seems that using Full Screen is the best way to go, Depending on if you want Black Bars going Vertically, or Horizontally..I prefer mine normal, and/or Horizontally..ok, Full Screen basically means, that its using every part of your screen it can, without sacrificing the image, even on Widescreen movies, trust me, it looks the exact same as normal viewing, but when enabling Full Screen, instead of Normal, on Fullscreen movies it will fill your HD TV, and make them better. On Widescreen format movies, it will obviously do nothing, and just be widescreen, there you go, your PS3 Analysis for the day from the guy that would know, seeing as I helped make it.. Yea Peace fellow Blu-viewers.