ps2 goes HD (Sorta) - Blu-ray Forum

BTBuck1 · 08-03-2006, 06:27 AM

Xploder HDTV Game Player for PlayStation 2
Company announces solution to up-scale PS2 games to 720p and 1080i. Is it for real?
by Gerry Block

August 2, 2006 - In an unexpected and surprising announcement, Xploder, designer of a variety of console peripherals and media kits, has announced a solution that claims to allow the PlayStation 2 to output 480p, 720p and 1080i ED and HD signals, as well as even higher resolutions via VGA. The package, dubbed the HDTV Game Player, promises support for all standard PS2 games, and supports both PAL and NTSC consoles.

According to the company's press release, the system makes use of propriety Xploder software and allows users to boot a software CD in the PS2 to select the desired output quality. The settings are then saved to a memory card for future use. RGB component cables will be included with the package to make the connection to HDTVs.

Xploder also announced the HDTV Movie Player, apparently a separate product, that will allow the PS2 to play DVDs in 480p, an upgrade over the console's usual 480i. The press release indicates the software will function in a similar manner to the HDTV Game Player, and will also come with included component cables.

North American release dates and pricing have not yet been confirmed.

What does it mean?
Xploder's press releases on the HDTV Game and Movie Players provided no further information on how the propriety software functions, though we can safely assume that the company has engineered a software algorithm that performs up-scaling processing on the PS2's 480i signal to make the conversion to the High-Def resolutions.

How, or perhaps if, the software is able to run from the PS2's memory card is unknown. We're guessing the Xploder software CD must be inserted prior to booting each game in order to temporarily flash PS2 with the up-scaling software. We're also not sure why Xploder is able to up-scale games all the way to 720p and 1080i, yet can only de-interlace movies from 480i to 480p.

A lot of progress has been made recently in up-scaling software. More and more HDTVs are making use of internal scaling circuitry to bring incoming signals up to the display's native resolution. However, the processing in these HDTVs, and in products like Anchor Bay Technologies' iScan VP20 and VP30, is performed by specially designed de-interlacing processors. The PS2 has no such dedicated chips, which means that Xploder has likely discovered a way to replicate GranTurismo 4's ability to output a pseudo-1080i signal.

We'll withhold judgment on Xploder's claims and the quality of their product until we can try it for ourselves, which you may be sure we will be doing ASAP. If Xploder has indeed engineered a successful product they could well have struck gold, as the ability to make older PS2 games look nice on big HDTVs would breath a great deal of life back into the platform for gamers that have HDTVs but aren't quite ready to commit to the PlayStation 3 at launch.

Full article here:http://gear.ign.com/articles/723/723025p1.html

BTBuck1 · 08-03-2006, 06:27 AM

^ PRETTY F'n Cool If ya asked me! (if it works)

JTK · 08-03-2006, 02:05 PM

Dare I ask what this is going to cost?

Cool idea, but I'd sure like to see the end results, because there's some PS2 games that are going to suffer, imo, for having the jacked up resolutions reveal every stinking flaw and shortcoming.

Garbage in, garbage out?

Cool idea.

My answer is: Just buy a next gen gaming system instead of throwing any more money towards the old gal, but YMMV.

Depending on costs and whatever you personally own and want to get done...here's something else to consider:

You could save up some money (and/or use a credit card) and buy yourself something like a video processor that does the switching anyways and ALL of your devices would benefit.

Something LIKE the DVDO VP20 or 30 that the article refers to. The MSRP's certainly ain't cheap, but that's never the last word on that subject.

Just something to think about...

Although I'm sure this thing ain't gonna cost anywhere NEAR what a VP costs.

Jazar · 08-03-2006, 03:15 PM

Hopefully the PS3 will do this

JTK · 08-03-2006, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazar

Hopefully the PS3 will do this

Good point.

The PS3 is supposed to be backwards compatible, but I have no idea if it's going to be able to upconvert the older games or not...

Psiweaver · 08-03-2006, 07:31 PM

My guess is that it will be able to. But a very cool idea and am very intersted as to the cost of this piece of equipment or software.

suprmallet · 08-05-2006, 06:04 AM

From what I've heard, the PS3 should be able to do this.

As for this, I promise you the PQ will be crap. I mean, most upscaling DVD players are over $300. And the PS2 isn't known for good 480i quality, so why should it suddenly have awesome simulated HD quality?

This seems like a lame cash-in attempt on the people who can't afford/want to wait on the next-gen systems that can play HD.

takezo · 08-13-2006, 07:37 AM

I would be wary about an item like this. Technically this device does convert the 480i or 480p video displayed on your PS2 and displays them at 720p or 1080i. But however do not confuse this claim to actualy increasing game resolution, as it does not.

What do I mean? In a PC game when you increase the resolution it actualy renders the game at that resolution. The Xbox 360's backwards compatibility, while not perfect does just that. When you select 720p, it renders it in 720p. 1080i is rendered at 720p and upsampled to 1080i.

This device just upsamples the PS2 480i/480p, rendered video (actualy a lot of games are rendered at resolutions lower than 640x480, then upsampled to 480i).

If any one has played Grand Tourismo in 1080i would understand what i am talking about. Even when it's displaying 1080i the game it's self is still not HD. Only Xbox 360 and PS3 game will be true HD.

partridge · 08-13-2006, 01:44 PM

Tried to find a link from Gamesindustry, but couldn't.

I am sure that a recent interview with Harrison or someone revealed that the PS3 would at least upscale PS2 games as long as they adhered to the playstation design code (ie the developer did things by the book), so these games would run better and look smoother (and hopefully not have the black border) when played on an HD tv. PS1 games? Well, there have to be limits to what the PS3 can do with these, but frankly if PS3 can output PS1 & 2 games and make them look better on HD sets, then great!

Hopefully Sony will be demoing the PS3 video playback soon showing off it's blu-ray and DVD abilities.

08-03-2006, 06:27 AM	#1
BTBuck1 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jun 2006 Location:Oceanside, CA. Blu-ray collection:507 DVD collection:1	ps2 goes HD (Sorta) Xploder HDTV Game Player for PlayStation 2 Company announces solution to up-scale PS2 games to 720p and 1080i. Is it for real? by Gerry Block August 2, 2006 - In an unexpected and surprising announcement, Xploder, designer of a variety of console peripherals and media kits, has announced a solution that claims to allow the PlayStation 2 to output 480p, 720p and 1080i ED and HD signals, as well as even higher resolutions via VGA. The package, dubbed the HDTV Game Player, promises support for all standard PS2 games, and supports both PAL and NTSC consoles. According to the company's press release, the system makes use of propriety Xploder software and allows users to boot a software CD in the PS2 to select the desired output quality. The settings are then saved to a memory card for future use. RGB component cables will be included with the package to make the connection to HDTVs. Xploder also announced the HDTV Movie Player, apparently a separate product, that will allow the PS2 to play DVDs in 480p, an upgrade over the console's usual 480i. The press release indicates the software will function in a similar manner to the HDTV Game Player, and will also come with included component cables. North American release dates and pricing have not yet been confirmed. What does it mean? Xploder's press releases on the HDTV Game and Movie Players provided no further information on how the propriety software functions, though we can safely assume that the company has engineered a software algorithm that performs up-scaling processing on the PS2's 480i signal to make the conversion to the High-Def resolutions. How, or perhaps if, the software is able to run from the PS2's memory card is unknown. We're guessing the Xploder software CD must be inserted prior to booting each game in order to temporarily flash PS2 with the up-scaling software. We're also not sure why Xploder is able to up-scale games all the way to 720p and 1080i, yet can only de-interlace movies from 480i to 480p. A lot of progress has been made recently in up-scaling software. More and more HDTVs are making use of internal scaling circuitry to bring incoming signals up to the display's native resolution. However, the processing in these HDTVs, and in products like Anchor Bay Technologies' iScan VP20 and VP30, is performed by specially designed de-interlacing processors. The PS2 has no such dedicated chips, which means that Xploder has likely discovered a way to replicate GranTurismo 4's ability to output a pseudo-1080i signal. We'll withhold judgment on Xploder's claims and the quality of their product until we can try it for ourselves, which you may be sure we will be doing ASAP. If Xploder has indeed engineered a successful product they could well have struck gold, as the ability to make older PS2 games look nice on big HDTVs would breath a great deal of life back into the platform for gamers that have HDTVs but aren't quite ready to commit to the PlayStation 3 at launch. Full article here:http://gear.ign.com/articles/723/723025p1.html

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08-03-2006, 02:05 PM	#3
JTK Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jan 2006 Location:www.blurayoasis.com	Dare I ask what this is going to cost? Cool idea, but I'd sure like to see the end results, because there's some PS2 games that are going to suffer, imo, for having the jacked up resolutions reveal every stinking flaw and shortcoming. Garbage in, garbage out? Cool idea. My answer is: Just buy a next gen gaming system instead of throwing any more money towards the old gal, but YMMV. Depending on costs and whatever you personally own and want to get done...here's something else to consider: You could save up some money (and/or use a credit card) and buy yourself something like a video processor that does the switching anyways and ALL of your devices would benefit. Something LIKE the DVDO VP20 or 30 that the article refers to. The MSRP's certainly ain't cheap, but that's never the last word on that subject. Just something to think about... Although I'm sure this thing ain't gonna cost anywhere NEAR what a VP costs.

08-03-2006, 03:15 PM	#4
Jazar Active Member Member since:Jun 2006	Hopefully the PS3 will do this

08-03-2006, 07:31 PM	#6
Psiweaver Special Member Member since:Jun 2006 Location:Los Angeles,CA	My guess is that it will be able to. But a very cool idea and am very intersted as to the cost of this piece of equipment or software.

08-05-2006, 06:04 AM	#7
suprmallet Active Member Member since:Jun 2006 Blu-ray collection:264	From what I've heard, the PS3 should be able to do this. As for this, I promise you the PQ will be crap. I mean, most upscaling DVD players are over $300. And the PS2 isn't known for good 480i quality, so why should it suddenly have awesome simulated HD quality? This seems like a lame cash-in attempt on the people who can't afford/want to wait on the next-gen systems that can play HD.

08-13-2006, 07:37 AM	#8
takezo Active Member Member since:Aug 2006	I would be wary about an item like this. Technically this device does convert the 480i or 480p video displayed on your PS2 and displays them at 720p or 1080i. But however do not confuse this claim to actualy increasing game resolution, as it does not. What do I mean? In a PC game when you increase the resolution it actualy renders the game at that resolution. The Xbox 360's backwards compatibility, while not perfect does just that. When you select 720p, it renders it in 720p. 1080i is rendered at 720p and upsampled to 1080i. This device just upsamples the PS2 480i/480p, rendered video (actualy a lot of games are rendered at resolutions lower than 640x480, then upsampled to 480i). If any one has played Grand Tourismo in 1080i would understand what i am talking about. Even when it's displaying 1080i the game it's self is still not HD. Only Xbox 360 and PS3 game will be true HD.

08-13-2006, 01:44 PM	#9
partridge Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Oct 2005 Location:England	Tried to find a link from Gamesindustry, but couldn't. I am sure that a recent interview with Harrison or someone revealed that the PS3 would at least upscale PS2 games as long as they adhered to the playstation design code (ie the developer did things by the book), so these games would run better and look smoother (and hopefully not have the black border) when played on an HD tv. PS1 games? Well, there have to be limits to what the PS3 can do with these, but frankly if PS3 can output PS1 & 2 games and make them look better on HD sets, then great! Hopefully Sony will be demoing the PS3 video playback soon showing off it's blu-ray and DVD abilities.

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