PS3 720p workaround for TVs that also lack HDMI (receiver)?

[farmecologist]

Hi all,

This has been pissing me off for quite some time.   As most of us know, a PS3 will NOT upconvert 720p games to 1080i for TVs that lack 720p support.  Instead, it downconverts to 480p.   I have been hoping for a firmware 'fix' at some point but it looks like that isn't going to happen.  Some of the newer games just look horrible, and I just can't stand it anymore!   

I have an 'older' TV that only supports 1080i HDTV via component inputs ( NO HDMI ).   It occurred to me that a 'workaround' might be to purchase an 'upconverting' receiver that will convert the 720p signal to 1080i.   Unfortunately,  'reasonably priced' receivers such as the Denon 1909 and Onkyo 606 only appear to upconvert component inputs to *HDMI*..which my TV lacks.

It looks like I might have to invest in a new TV! Sigh..anyone have any other ideas?  Yes, I have considered going for an XBOX 360...

At this point I need something that will upconvert a a 720p *component* input to a 1080i *component* output.

[HaRuMaN]

Your TV has 1080i but not 720p? 

[farmecologist]

Your TV has 1080i but not 720p? 

Yep!  Bummer, eh?

[HaRuMaN]

Yeah, get a new TV, one with HDMI (pretty much standard now) and 1080p.  Your eyes will thank you!

[farmecologist]

Yeah Yeah..however, I'd rather avoid getting a new TV just to avoid the upscaling issue.


At any rate, if anyone knows of a reciever that will do 720p -> 1080i *component video* upconversion, let me know!

Thanks!

[Dartful Dodger]

I've got a 62" rear projection Magnavox TV.  It was made when HD just started and nobody knew what the standard would be.  When I run it through a converter the picture quality and movies look great, but the lag makes playing games suk.

I don't know what converter I have I can find out, but for playing games it's useless.

I assumed it'd be the same with any converter, but if there's one that works I'd like to know about it.

Right now I have my PS3 going directly to the tv.

[farmecologist]

I assumed it'd be the same with any converter, but if there's one that works I'd like to know about it.

The two receivers I have heard will do the 720p->1080i conversion via the *component* video outputs are the Onkyo 875 and the Harmon Kardon AVR-745.   Unfortunately, these are both very high end receivers which are out of my price range.   

Note that are quite a few reasonably priced receivers that will do the conversion but only to HDMI out.   However, that will not work for me as my TV only supports component inputs.  Sigh..

[Dizzle]

Unfortunately, I don't think there's a reasonably priced piece of hardware out there that's going to upconvert a 720P signal to 1080i without noticeable lag. 

I'm in the same situation you are -- my TV supports 1080i but not 720p.  It's an older TV.  I had to go through games like Heavenly Sword and Resistance in 480P, all the while wondering what they would look like in high definition.  This is why I buy just about all of the multi-platform releases on the 360 since we're not likely to ever see the issue fixed on the PS3.  I'm not about to buy a new TV until I have to but before I forked out the cash for a converter or receiver that MIGHT do a somewhat acceptable job at upconversion, I'd go for the new TV.

I don't think it'll be quite an issue going forward though.  It appears as though the majority of games coming out now support 1080 resolutions, which makes sense since 1080p is becoming the standard, but it looks like you'll be stuck at 480p for the older games.   

[farmecologist]

Unfortunately, I don't think there's a reasonably priced piece of hardware out there that's going to upconvert a 720P signal to 1080i without noticeable lag. 

I don't think it'll be quite an issue going forward though.  It appears as though the majority of games coming out now support 1080 resolutions, which makes sense since 1080p is becoming the standard, but it looks like you'll be stuck at 480p for the older games.   

Well, some very high profile games ( Little Big planet, motorstorm 2, resistance 2, *fallout 3*, oblivion, etc.. ) only support 720p. 

There is one piece of hardware that *will* do the 720p->1080i scaling...an xbox 360.    I went ahead and ordered one.  At least I will be able to play the multi-platform games ( oblivion, Fallout 3, etc..) in upscaled 1080i now.  Sigh...

I agree..the 360 is the way to go.  I am not going to invest in a new TV when my current 1080i-only TV will do just fine!

 

[somunny]

Well, some very high profile games ( Little Big planet, motorstorm 2, resistance 2, *fallout 3*, oblivion, etc.. ) only support 720p. 

There is one piece of hardware that *will* do the 720p->1080i scaling...an xbox 360.    I went ahead and ordered one.  At least I will be able to play the multi-platform games ( oblivion, Fallout 3, etc..) in upscaled 1080i now.  Sigh..

Wow...  PS3 Fallout only supports 720p?  The 360 version is 1080p. 

[farmecologist]

Well, there is a very common misconception that the 360 will render everything at your chosen resolution.   What actually happens is that the game is displayed at the resolution you choose.  This is due to the scaling chip on the 360 hardware. 

The game is still rendered at whatever resolution the developer intended.   


For more info than you ever wanted to know about true resolution of games, 360 hardware scaling, etc...see:

     http://forum.beyond3d.com/showthread.php?t=46241


As for Fallout 3, the true rendered ( non scaled ) resolution on the 360 is 1280x720.  Same for the PS3.

[somunny]

Well, there is a very common misconception that the 360 will render everything at your chosen resolution.   What actually happens is that the game is displayed at the resolution you choose.  This is due to the scaling chip on the 360 hardware. 

The game is still rendered at whatever resolution the developer intended.   


For more info than you ever wanted to know about true resolution of games, 360 hardware scaling, etc...see:

     http://forum.beyond3d.com/showthread.php?t=46241


As for Fallout 3, the true rendered ( non scaled ) resolution on the 360 is 1280x720.  Same for the PS3.

Great...  Now you've ruined it for me.   

[Dizzle]

One thing to keep in mind.  There are some PS3 games that don't indicate they support 1080i or p on the box but actually do.   Resistance 2 and Uncharted are two games I own that say 720p only, but work in 1080i.  It's confusing, I know.  It'll just mean doing a little checking before you plunk down $60.

[farmecologist]

One thing to keep in mind.  There are some PS3 games that don't indicate they support 1080i or p on the box but actually do.   Resistance 2 and Uncharted are two games I own that say 720p only, but work in 1080i.  It's confusing, I know.  It'll just mean doing a little checking before you plunk down $60.

Good point.   I was not aware that Resistance 2 is now supporting 1080i..apparently as of the 1.03 update(?)

Here is a good place to check on 1080i/1080p support:

     http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=ps3&message.id=1543717#M1543717

[Malenko]

I guess Im the only one who cant tell the difference. I run HDMI from my elite360 and my P3 and the only time I can tell a difference is when I run Dead or Alive 4 in 1080i cause the subtitles get cut off.

I only have 1 PS3 game, little big planet and my TV says its running in 1080p, I dunno if the PS3 is upscaling or what, but it looks pretty freekin good.

[brpadington]

Does your TV Have VGA? if it does this thing might work and it seems to have great reviews.