HDTV Users - Question About Quality of Graphics w/in Game:

[SimRaceDriver]

To anyone that has been able to play/run GT4 on both a standard CRT TV and HDTV, have you noticed any 'decrease' in the quality of how the tracks look themselves?

I just picked up a Panasonic HDTV this past weekend and even adding some Monster Componet cables, the quality of the tracks in GT4 now look really grainy!!

Now, I can say that every other aspect of the game has been greatly benefitted from adding the HDTV, but because the tracks look the way they do, I'm starting to think the HDTV wasn't worth it! !!!

Can anyone say that they have seen a drastic increase in avery aspect of the game after switching to an HDTV and if not, what parts of the game have suffereed...if any?

Thx-

SimRaceDriver:

 

[X-Othermic]

The graphics don't change, its the game that makes the graphics, not the TV.

 

[SimRaceDriver]

The graphics don't change, its the game that makes the graphics, not the TV.

ok..I will admit when it comes to electronics, I'm a little wet behind the ears..
I thought the graphics DO change based on the type of connectors/cables being used to link the PS2 to a TV...I mean, from reading other threads on this forum, those options were:

1. Standard plugs...providing the lowest quality
2. S-Video...slightly better...
3. Componet...the best that the PS2 can currently support I hear...

and that end-users would reep the most benefit by running GT4 at 1080i, which I belive can only be done by an LCD or Plasma TV....and if this is true, then I'm merely stating that in my current experience, 1080i isn't all that much better...but am looking for 2nd opinions.


Thanks-

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

I just bought a Sony HDTV and the graphics increase like you cant even image!! NO DECREASE AT ALL. On levels like the grand canyon and most other levels if you have a standard tv the backround is blurry. With HDTV it is incredible. Everything is perfect quality almost like you are playing the top of the line PC game. Just read my quick review in this thread. The review starts at post #29. https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=73865
Make sure you are in 1080i and you will be amazed, well if your TV is good enough. I bought the highest rated 27" tv on the market and it is well worth the price. Mine is the Sony FD Trinitron Wega Hi-Scan KV-27HS420.

 

[turboash78]

I did not notice any track deterioration at all... I found things more defined, smooth (pixelation wise), brighter and 'clearer'. Nothing about the HD game seemed to suffer at all, and I thought the tracks looked even better. It sucks that every time you play, you have to go into the options menu and trun HD on. BTW, this is on a 52" LG DLP.

Have you watched LOTR Return of the King... specifically the big battle scene...

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

....and if this is true, then I'm merely stating that in my current experience, 1080i isn't all that much better...but am looking for 2nd opinions.Thanks-

You definetly have a bad first impression or you have been mislead.
HDTV It is soo much better there really is no comparison at all. Its like comparing a black and white tv to color. Its mind blowing if set up in 1080i. Like I just stated. Anything you see in the backround is perfectly clear. The colors are incredible too like green, blue, red are completely amazing now compared to regulart tv.
However with a cheap HDTV the quality can change a lot for the worse. If your going to do it, do it right and get the best tv you can afford.

 

[LoudMusic]

You have to make sure that you are ACTUALLY doing EVERYTHING in HD.

Your TV appears to be HD capable. Claims to do 480, 720, and 1080. However the pixels are 768 tall, so it's going to have to do some kind of conversion no matter what HD setting you choose. I'd go with 720 personally.

You bought the good cables.

Now make sure you've got your Playstation 2 and Gran Turismo 4 set to output in HD. Honestly I can't help you here - I've never done it myself. Check the options menus.

 

[wfooshee]

My own experience is that the "stutter" (cars jumping up and down a few scan lines on screen) of the starting lineup is much reduced in 1080i, and the backgrounds are much more detailed. On the other hand, I see more moire patterns in HD, specifically because there are more pixels on the screen. (Moire patterns are those weird curves that appear as an illusion when certain graphic features, like parallel lines ore concentric curves, are too close together.)

As has been stated before, remember that the 1080i video applies to game play and replays only, the menus are 480i (standard TV.) Also, the console does not remember this setting, you have to re-enable 1080i every time you start the game.

After playing some weeks in 1080i (mostly trying to beat Mission 34), I tried it at 480 just to see, and it was almost unplayable. I couldn't make out any of my visual cues until it was too late. My TV is a fairly old (as HD goes) Hitachi rear projector, 4:3 screen. It letterboxes to go into 16:9.

 

[SimRaceDriver]

Thanks for all the response people! 👍 Much appreciate it!


@LoudMusic: Just to confirm my settings are right, I start the game and then:

* Into Options from main start up screen
* Under "General", I select Screen
* Set Aspect Ratio to: 16:9 and Video Output to "HDTV (1080i)"

This is the correct way to get GT4 to display at its highest graphic level...right?
If not, what have I missed?


Thx-

PS: FWIW...under "Video Output", I only have "Normal", Progressive(480p) & "HDTV (1080i)" for settings. No 720!

 

[03 Yellow]

I only have "Normal", Progressive(480p) & "HDTV (1080i)" options as well.

I cannot get my 1080 option to work though, my tv has seperate component inputs for 480 and 1080 and the 480 works in the 480 slot. I havent tried to adjust the aspect ratio in 1080 mode though. (The PS2/GT4 is working because i tried it on another tv)

 

[SRV2LOW4ME]

I'm running GT4 on a 50" Hitachi LCD with components and the difference is HUGE. Even the difference between 480 and 1080 is noticable. I haven't noticed any grainy tracks like what your talking about, but you have to make sure to go into your PS2 options and change the display settings there aswell if it didn't do it automatically. Might help.

 

[Wolfe]

HD won't increase texture quality on tracks. It'll only increase resolution and pixel clarity.

If everything looks sharp and neat -- even if the textures are more noticably crappy -- your setup is working just fine. Nothing can be done about it, unfortunately, other than waiting for GT5 on the PS3...

 

[zPhoenix]

I suspect that although HDTV has an effect, the majority of the improvement comes from the cables.

I used component video cables with a regular old-style TV and got MUCH BETTER picture than with the original cable.

 

[eastley]

I run my PS2 with Component leads on a standard definition TV, and there is a huge difference between that and normal AV Cables.

 

[SimRaceDriver]

HD won't increase texture quality on tracks. It'll only increase resolution and pixel clarity.

And that it has!

If everything looks sharp and neat..

They do!

"...even if the textures are more noticably crappy -- your setup is working just fine.

I do beleive you're right on that one!

Nothing can be done about it, unfortunately, other than waiting for GT5 on the PS3...

It can't come soon enough!


Thanks to everyone else who chimed in and offered their experiences!
Much appreciate the support and information! 👍


Thx-

SimRaceDriver:

 

[X-Othermic]

Right ok, i can see that im wrong.....

 

[slackbladder]

I have used my GT4 on a 28" CRT TV@1080i and my new 46" Samsung DLP TV@1080i.
On the 28" the PQ is fantastic. Driving on the George V track is amazing! Smooth and virtually "jaggie" free. Far better than 480i and a little superior to 480p.
On my 46" DLP the PQ is as good except in two areas. 1). Black level is a little weak but that's my TV not the game. 2). Grays tend to smear so the road surface can look odd sometimes. But again this is more to do with the TV. In fact I fiddled with the service menu recently and it looks better.
The lowdown is 1080i looks far, far better than 480i on either of my two TV's. Absolutely stunning. I never use 480i for GT4.
PIcture quality is more dependant on your display and its settings than the PS2 or GT4. It took me 3 weeks to get my DLP how I like it! But now I really, really love it!

 

[Quisp]

if setup properly, 1080i should look much better on a HDTV, than 480.

I have a rear-projection Mitsubishi 55", non-progressive PS2(older model), monster component cables.
Make sure your PS2 Component(red/green/blue) cable is going into 1080 input in your set. If you have an older model PS2, you may have to manually set it for component, prior to game bootup. I believe the newer PS2's do it automatically. As stated select 1080i in your screen options within GT4.

The PS2 is limited as far as its video abilities go. On a Plasma HD, things look too pixelated. You can smooth it out sometimes, by decreasing your TV's Sharpness/Contrast.
Many people, myself included, notice a lot of texture shimmering, particularly when you look at courses where fences are involved.

Again, 1080i output will ONLY be available in GT4 DURING races. Therefore, when you are racing, make sure your TV's output is actually 1080. Most remotes have an Info button that will show what display your in at that time.

 

[Mikey15]

I have a HD TV, is it worth importing GT4 to be able to play with high resolutions? I'm in the UK, and only have a PAL machine, so I dunno if it'll work or not