Xploder's HDTV Player unlocks 720p 1080i mode on PS2

[hey69]

Xploder's HDTV Player unlocks 720p 1080i mode on PS2


Not having a PS2, I cannot say what the output looks like on an HDTV or even a computer monitor. But, according to Computerandvideogames.com, it's blurry. In an article this morning, they claim to have tested a software disc for the PS2, that will unlock, supposedly already existing high resolution modes in the console, such as 720p and 1080i. Not only that, they say it makes the images look nice and sharp, without any hit on frame rates.
All you do is plonk the CD into the PS2 and up pops a menu screen. Set your desired resolution, insert your game and off you go. We tested it with two Sony HDTVs, both running OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast. With the HDTV Player pre-loaded on one PS2, the difference was immediately noticeable. We're talking Xbox 360 sharpness, and absolutely no effect on frame-rates at all.

It works simply by unlocking a high-def mode that already exists within the PS2's hardware. The Xploder HDTV Player comes bundled with a PS2 component cable needed for a HD signal, and will hit shops for £29.99.
If this is the case and also if the games indeed do look a lot better, this is all most people will be needing for HD gaming for the near future. It could also make a PS3 less easy to justify. Right now, 720p screens are quite affordable and put out a very sharp image, especially when sitting at a normal viewing distance. It certainly sounds like an interesting addition of software for current PS2 owners.
More information can be read in this press release. It appears the software is making it's North American debut in October for approximately $49.95 and is compatible with 95% of all PS2 games.

 

[mrboo]

A video scaler? and going by its price, its more then likely a bad one aswel.

 

[Guden Oden]

To put it mildly, I'm not totally convinced this software does what it says it does. It's not as if you simply flip a switch or twiddle a knob and whups; the game renders in 720P or 1080i all of a sudden.

Just getting a picture on the screen requires writing any number of very specific values to various hardware registers in the GS and possibly whatever video encoder/scaler chip the console might be using. Then there's the matter of game software, which has total and complete control over the size of the video buffer it's going to render. At 720P, there's simply no room for front and back color and Z buffers in 4MB eDRAM, and some games even triplebuffer.

 

[rabidrabbit]

From the Xpoder site Q&A

Doesn’t my HDTV already up-convert lower resolution signals to High Definition, regardless of the source?

Displaying interlaced video on progressive displays (LCD, Plasma) results in motion artefacts called “combing”, the Xploder HDTV avoids this by sending video frames in progressive mode (where possible).

What? Isn't it same whether the deinterlacing is done on the display or on the player?
It just depends which one is better at the job.

For example, I feed my front projector (Optoma HD72i) a 576i - intelaced - signal, even though my DVD (Pioneer DV-696) is capable of outputting 576p, 720p and 1080i,because the projector is much better at deinterlacing and scaling than my DVD player.
With DVD handling the deinterlacing, I immediately see some moire effect in difficult patterns and occasionally some minor staircasing. With the projector handling all processing, there is no moire in the same scenes, nor staircasing in the edges.
PS2 games on the projector look surprisingly sharp and clean, I think there is much less flickering and jaggies than in my old SD CRT TV. GT4 looks much much cleaner
On my crappy Huyndai PC monitor/TV, PS2 games look awfully blocky, because of the substandard scaler/deinterlacing.

With games, that have a progressive scan mode (hidden or in the options) the disc might work though, but hasn't there been such a device on market already years ago. I think london-boy boiught one of those and liked what it did to PS2 games on his flatscreen TV.

 

[Bigus Dickus]

Total BS. Obviously the game isn't rendering at higher resolution - both for hardware limitation reasons and the non-effect on framerates. If the software somehow tricks the PS2 into scaling the output, I don't see how that is any different than allowing your TV to do the same job, unless the scaler in your TV is pure crap.

 

[Nesh]

I find it impossible

 

[London Geezer]

What a load of rubbish.

There was a boot up disc that forced progressive scan output on PS2, and worked fine for those games that rendered at full frame, but that's totally different because the PS2 was already rendering at 640x480 so what the software did was to just force it through to output stage - through the VGA cable supplied.

But this...? Rubbish.

 

[Phil]

I can imagine how they could make a 480p signal into a 1080i one (GT4 example)... I'm quitee puzzled by how they would achieve a 720p signal though. Perhaps through easy line-doubling?

 

[hey69]

maybe they found untapped resources in the almighty ps2? right right?

 

[London Geezer]

maybe they found untapped resources in the almighty ps2? right right?

... It's teh hidden power!! The VU2!!!111one

 

[_xxx_]

... It's teh hidden power!! The VU2!!!111one

LOL!

Totall bull, that spam above (by spam I mean the original source).

 

[assen]

Maybe the EE/GS are based on G80 after all...

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Some people really lack smarts

I'm a bit surprised on a clever technical forum like this, that supposed 'experts' can overlook the distinct possibility of the the use of magic to enable this. Kellog's aren't the only company in the world to employ Pixies, you know. Ireland's exports of little folk have been growing fantastically in the last decade too.

 

[Firewarrior]

I'm a bit surprised on a clever technical forum like this, that supposed 'experts' can overlook the distinct possibility of the the use of magic to enable this. Kellog's aren't the only company in the world to employ Pixies, you know. Ireland's exports of little folk have been growing fantastically in the last decade too.

Magic FTW



LOL!

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Magic FTW

You betcha! Considering how versatile magic is, I'm surprised it's not used more often. I guess the inability to patent magic turns these large firms off.

 

[London Geezer]

You betcha! Considering how versatile magic is, I'm surprised it's not used more often. I guess the inability to patent magic turns these large firms off.

It's probably because most of these large companies have signed contracts with the Devil so we would get very nasty varieties. They would probably open a new market for exorcisms. I'm sure a few people on here could do very well with one.

 

[Firewarrior]

You betcha! Considering how versatile magic is, I'm surprised it's not used more often. I guess the inability to patent magic turns these large firms off.

Yep seems so

Magic can do anything atm just wish Sony and MS used magic in their consoles

 

[DieH@rd]

Xploder's HDTV Player unlocks 720p 1080i mode on PS2

In an article this morning, they claim to have tested a software disc for the PS2, that will unlock, supposedly already existing high resolution modes in the console, such as 720p and 1080i. Not only that, they say it makes the images look nice and sharp, without any hit on frame rates.

Yeah, when pigs fly... Maybe ill belive when I see some video footage of this miracle.
HD footage

 

[Phil]

All fun aside, the company never claimed to have changed the rendering-mode of the software. From what I read, it's clear that they are talking about a signal being outputted that is recognized as either a valid 720p or a 1080i one. Now is this technically feasable?

Perhaps, if the way they're doing it is by simple line-doubling, similarly to what Polyphony did with GT4... Perhaps the 720p signal is achieved through line doubling as well?

I just think it's a bit immature for a technical forum like this to simply dismiss it. After all, I would think the company in question would submit itsself to being sued if they sell a product on the false premise of delivering something they are clearly not. If they claim to have found a way [to output a valid 720p/1080i signal), shouldn't we be trying to figure out how instead making fun? After all, this IS Beyond3d last time I checked and not the IGN kindergarten forum...