TV options - regular / LCD / plazma - PS2/GT4 advantage?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Greyout
  • 115 comments
  • 7,747 views
G

Greyout

Messages
665
I wanted to get some opinions and facts on PS2 performance on different TV technologies.

the options I am considering:

- 30"+ conventional TV, sitting 6-8 feet away

- 23" HDTV, sitting 3-6 feet away

- 18"-20" plazma or LCD screen, sitting 2-3 feet away (more of a desktop PC style setup)

the sizes may vary depending on what is in a similar price range, but you get the idea: larger, lower quality TV's compared to smaller, higher quality TV's.

Is the increased resolution & clarity of a LCD or plazma taken advantage of by a PS2?

any other opinions would be welcomed
 
Out of the options you've given I would choose the first. It is the cheapest one, and with a proper S-Video cable it produces the same quality image as a HDTV. That's because the PS2 just doesn't generate "High Definition" images. It's also the one which will give you the least headache. And it's always better to be able to sit a bit further away, so you can sit relaxt on a couch or something, with a table in front of you.
 
Go for a crt, those things own EVERYTHING in terms of picture quality and clarity.
Also make sure you get a decent scart cable, the picture quality on those that come wityh are laughable. mmm rgb mode :)
 
code_kev
Go for a crt, those things own EVERYTHING in terms of picture quality and clarity.
Also make sure you get a decent scart cable, the picture quality on those that come wityh are laughable. mmm rgb mode :)
Click to expand...

A CRT, as in a computer monitor?

the cable that my PS2 uses is the S-video port at the PS2 end and the 3 RCA cables at the other. So I'd be looking for a CRT (computer monitor?) with RCA inputs?

<-- confused
 
Yeah a normal tube tele:). Go for quality over size, make sure it supports all the cool stuff like rgb too and your sorted hehe.

I use a sony 21" trinitron and the picture quality in rgb mode is...perfect.
 
code_kev
Yeah a normal tube tele:). Go for quality over size, make sure it supports all the cool stuff like rgb too and your sorted hehe.

I use a sony 21" trinitron and the picture quality in rgb mode is...perfect.
Click to expand...

what about using one of these viewsonic TV adapters
10314792.jpg


bad idea? they get good reviews.
 
I have no idea, I don't know that much about em. If I was you though, I'd get best CRT tv you can, get a seperates amp (and speakers, oh and some high quality cables), the best ps2 scart cable you can get, and enjoy ;)
 
I personally have a 82cm (33") JVC Widescreen TV. I have a choice of 4 SCART entries, but I use an S-Video hook-up with my PS2. I personally have never seen a better image produced by the PS2. I don't know what your budget is?
Anyways, I can just sit relaxed on the couch at about 12 feet away, having my drinks on the table, playing games :D
 
As you guys are all pretty TV literate, does anyone know why i get 'ghosting' across my TV screen when watching DVD? It doesn't appear to be copying what is on teh screen but more of a liscensing logo if you know what I mean. It can get pretty intense at time. I have tried a lense cleaner on my DVD player, I have cleaned teh scart connectors. But nothing works.

It works fine with my PS2.
 
Sounds like copy-protection.. do you have your DVD player running through a VCR? That'll do it, every time. It's there to prevent folks from copying DVD content onto tape. Just bypass the VCR, hook it directly into the reciever/TV, and it should work. If not, take the player back and get another one.. hehe.

In regards to the original topic, I would suggest a standard TV. Widescreen, if you can find it, although those are pretty rare depending on where you are. The only advantage to an HDTV would be the widescreen. Otherwise, there's really no improvement in quality, since the resolution exported by the PS2 stays the same (720x480 NTSC, 720x576 PAL). And it's possible (although unlikely) that an HDTV, because of it's higher resolution, may be more apt to display interlacing artifacts, since videogames these days all run at 60i. The interlacing is designed for a standard television, so that's where it works the best. Unless the game in question supports progressive-mode (60p), in which case HD is clearly preferable, since a standard TV cannot display 60p. However, KY has stated that GT will NOT support progressive, since it would have meant cutting back the on-screen detail.
 
I don't know that it is a designed copy protection, so much as translating RCA to COAX will blow your picture to shat.

Upgrade all your hardware. That should fix it (:
 
I will definitely say that 16:9 is a much better display for race games. You don't need to see what is above or below you, but what's on the sides definitely makes a difference.
 
I use a 30 inch direct view Toshiba.

16X9, HDTV (720p, 1080i capable).

My ps2 is hooked up via S video, as there are only a handful of games for it running with progressive scan (socom 2, R&C 2). Looks very nice.

My xbox is hooked up with the advanced AV pack (RGBs, optical cable for digital sound). Looks awesome. Games all run in progressive scan.

LCDs are good, but too expensive (the same can be said about plasmas). Plus, earlier plasma sets had burn in issues (a static image becomes "burned" into the screen, staying there permanently) and they consume a lot of power and generate a lot of heat. Damn pretty designs though.

DLP projection sets are the best bang for the buck (for larger sizes), and they have excellent picture and color. Still kinda pricy, but worth it.

Direct view CRTs (cathode ray tube) are the best in image quality, and are also the cheapest. They get quite bulky as the size of screen increases though.
 
Most LCD and plasma HDTV sets don't have deinterlacers. Deinterlacers convert any video input into a higher, better quality of video. Basicly, it converts all video into a progressive format. Make sure your new HDTV set has one. Stay away from EDTV sets. They're crap. Oh, make sure it is HDCP compliant, and has at least one HDMI and DVI input.
 
Words of wisdom:
get a tv that has component inputs cuz even if the games don't support progressive scan, they will still look a hair better than S-video. I would know from experience.
When buying cables for your PS2 you get what you pay for. Be prepaired to pay over $30 for the good component cables. Ie: Monster.
Also get a tv with either a glass screen or a decently clear plastic cover.
Glass will always offer a clearer picture, but if you want true Hd you gotta get a Plasma and no plasma's come with glass. So look for persay a Sony WEGA, atleast 36 inches. But if you are trapped on cash, just do what I did and get a glass screen tv.
Mine is:
JVC
32"
has 2 standard inputs (av)
1 s-vid
1 component input
supports progressive scan
about 2 years ago cost me $450 with coupons and my dad's Sear's discount (he is a tech there) Before it was still only $650, not bad. Can prolly be found for cheaper now.
Try Best Buy or Sears as they will give a decent warranty without the reaming.
 
Solid Lifters
Most LCD and plasma HDTV sets don't have deinterlacers. Deinterlacers convert any video input into a higher, better quality of video. Basicly, it converts all video into a progressive format. Make sure your new HDTV set has one. Stay away from EDTV sets. They're crap. Oh, make sure it is HDCP compliant, and has at least one HDMI and DVI input.
Click to expand...

word.
 
If you go with a CRt be sure to get the flat glass ones atleast, for not much more they look a lot nicer. Sounds like i need to go get an s-video cable

Does the cable quality itself really effect the image quality?

I know with the rest of my home theater i have never noticed a differnece in my good gold plated stuff vs the crap that comes with it.
 
Car_Guy
Does the cable quality itself really effect the image quality?

I know with the rest of my home theater i have never noticed a differnece in my good gold plated stuff vs the crap that comes with it.
Click to expand...

gold plated rca connectors (especially the soldered connection type) are more conductive, so yeah, the signal will be stronger, thus a clearer image. It's really not noticeable to untrained eyes though.

Going from an regular to high quality co-axial cable also makes a difference.

It's really not earth shattering, but for those that notice, it's nice.
 
Yeah thats what i fugured, i knew that they conducted better, but i could not tell a big enough differnece to justify the cost.

So here is the real question then, will a cheap (ie the mad cats s-video cable) be a worthy improvement over the standard rca plugs)

I'm way too cheap for the monster cable stuff.
 
Car_Guy
Yeah thats what i fugured, i knew that they conducted better, but i could not tell a big enough differnece to justify the cost.

So here is the real question then, will a cheap (ie the mad cats s-video cable) be a worthy improvement over the standard rca plugs)

I'm way too cheap for the monster cable stuff.
Click to expand...

I don't see why not. S video is S video.

I made my own RGBs for my dvd player, all it cost me was some gold plated rca connectors and some labelling tape.
 

Latest Posts

Back