Ok, it looks like we PAL users have a (very expensive) solution for HDTV on PAL copies of GT4. I would try to explain it but its MUCH better you please read the post in the link below.
I've pasted the post from the guy who figured it out.....for the entire thread please go to this link below:
http://www.hdtvarcade.com/hdtvforum/viewtopic.php?t=1316
Heres the post....
I have discovered something very cool, 580p on PS2!!!
Have been tinkering around with my Setup lately and have been experimenting with the best way to play PS2 seeing as its the worst of this generation of consoles in terms of HDTV support. I have found the ultimate solution for PS2. This solution is somewhat extravagant but if you can do it I don't think there is a better way to play the PS2.
I am using a 26" 16:9 Sharp Aquos LCD TV in conjunction with an IScan Ultra de-interlacer. I have a modified PAL PS2 hooked up to the IScan ultra through one of its component inputs and the IScan Ultra is hooked up to my TV Via DVI.
For those of you unfamiliar with PAL bascially PAL PS2 games display by default in 580i mode ... if our games have progressive scan they are the same as the US/Japan/et al at 480p.
Due to the excellent quality of the IScan Ultra I am able to take a 580i signal display & it in 580p and it looks superior to a native 480p signal. To get 580p you will need PAL PS2 games. NTSC PS2 games will only play at 480p (640x480 or 720x480) through the IScan.
I have tested my theory with Gran Turismo 3 and compared it to US versions of GT4 Prologue and GT4 and GT3 in 580p is FAR superior to GT4 in 480p.
I also tested this theory with some other excellent looking games on PS2 like Ghost hunter ... this game looks fine in 480p easily matching GCN and Xbox games, however I then ran the game at 580i and used the IScan to generate a 580p signal and to my initial surprise the game looks far better then the native 480p. I have also tested other games and all times the 580p proved to be superior to even the.
Now in the past I snubbed PAL games so that I could get the earlier release NTSC titles or because the NTSC titles had 480p and PAL didn't ... now I am doing an about face turn and will try to purchase PAL titles as much as possible.
The beauty of this discovery is that I should be able to do the same in theory with my GameCube and Xbox PAL games, Region 4 DVD movies etc etc ... believe me this was a very very pleasant discovery.
What you need in Summary:
* An HDTV capable of displaying 580p/576p or equivalent
* A PAL PS2 or modified PS2 capable of playing PAL games
* An IScan Ultra (or similarly capable deinterlacer)
* PAL PS2 games
------------------------
ok, back to me....with all that said...i'm still unsure what to do. Go with the expensive option above or instead mod my PAL PS2 and buy an NTSC GT4.
To be honest, its not the cost nor the picture difference thats the deciding factor. What I'd like to know from you NTSC and PAL gamers is...which version has more cars/features/new stuff.....this is probably what will decide my path
Cheers y'all.
I've pasted the post from the guy who figured it out.....for the entire thread please go to this link below:
http://www.hdtvarcade.com/hdtvforum/viewtopic.php?t=1316
Heres the post....
I have discovered something very cool, 580p on PS2!!!
Have been tinkering around with my Setup lately and have been experimenting with the best way to play PS2 seeing as its the worst of this generation of consoles in terms of HDTV support. I have found the ultimate solution for PS2. This solution is somewhat extravagant but if you can do it I don't think there is a better way to play the PS2.
I am using a 26" 16:9 Sharp Aquos LCD TV in conjunction with an IScan Ultra de-interlacer. I have a modified PAL PS2 hooked up to the IScan ultra through one of its component inputs and the IScan Ultra is hooked up to my TV Via DVI.
For those of you unfamiliar with PAL bascially PAL PS2 games display by default in 580i mode ... if our games have progressive scan they are the same as the US/Japan/et al at 480p.
Due to the excellent quality of the IScan Ultra I am able to take a 580i signal display & it in 580p and it looks superior to a native 480p signal. To get 580p you will need PAL PS2 games. NTSC PS2 games will only play at 480p (640x480 or 720x480) through the IScan.
I have tested my theory with Gran Turismo 3 and compared it to US versions of GT4 Prologue and GT4 and GT3 in 580p is FAR superior to GT4 in 480p.
I also tested this theory with some other excellent looking games on PS2 like Ghost hunter ... this game looks fine in 480p easily matching GCN and Xbox games, however I then ran the game at 580i and used the IScan to generate a 580p signal and to my initial surprise the game looks far better then the native 480p. I have also tested other games and all times the 580p proved to be superior to even the.
Now in the past I snubbed PAL games so that I could get the earlier release NTSC titles or because the NTSC titles had 480p and PAL didn't ... now I am doing an about face turn and will try to purchase PAL titles as much as possible.
The beauty of this discovery is that I should be able to do the same in theory with my GameCube and Xbox PAL games, Region 4 DVD movies etc etc ... believe me this was a very very pleasant discovery.
What you need in Summary:
* An HDTV capable of displaying 580p/576p or equivalent
* A PAL PS2 or modified PS2 capable of playing PAL games
* An IScan Ultra (or similarly capable deinterlacer)
* PAL PS2 games
------------------------
ok, back to me....with all that said...i'm still unsure what to do. Go with the expensive option above or instead mod my PAL PS2 and buy an NTSC GT4.
To be honest, its not the cost nor the picture difference thats the deciding factor. What I'd like to know from you NTSC and PAL gamers is...which version has more cars/features/new stuff.....this is probably what will decide my path
Cheers y'all.