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View Full Version : Playstation 3 Will Provide DVD Upscaling

DangerousDaze
03-04-2007, 10:43 AM
In an interview (http://ncroal.talk.newsweek.com/default.asp?item=511031) conducted by N'Gai Croal, SCE worldwide studios president Phil Harrison informs that the Playstation 3 will soon offer DVD upscaling."You know, we're not sure when it's coming, but we're going to have DVD upscaling on Playstation 3." There you go. There's a scoop for you.
This is slightly old news but welcome nonetheless, especially for PS3 owners.
Sion
03-04-2007, 10:50 AM
Uuuuuuup Scaaaaaaling!
Phades
03-04-2007, 10:53 AM
That's very cool. I was disappointed that neither it nor the HD-DVD drive for the 360 did upscaling.
anakin876
03-04-2007, 10:57 AM
It will age them like fine wine...
perhaps their broken promise will unbreak?
Dirty Harry
03-04-2007, 11:04 AM
It will age them like fine wine...
perhaps their broken promise will unbreak?
Well obviously they were thinking, "If we can break this, surely we can unbreak it".
Johan
03-04-2007, 11:09 AM
Good news, good news,
No more singing the blues...
Philonious
03-04-2007, 11:11 AM
I'm still hoping beyond hope that it will eventually upscale games too. (And doesn't the 360's DVD drive upscale movies?)
donkeydrop
03-04-2007, 11:22 AM
doesn't the 360's DVD drive upscale movies?
No, it outputs DVDs in 480p
Pluvious
03-04-2007, 11:23 AM
Yes it upscales to 480P if you use Component or RGB. But to be honest, you would be better off buying a $150 Oppo upscaler that goes to 1080i instead. (http://www.oppodigital.com/)
Norse
03-04-2007, 11:30 AM
No, it outputs DVDs in 480p

With a VGA connection the 360 upscales DVDs to whatever resolution you set it to.
Pluvious
03-04-2007, 11:45 AM
VGA looks like shit compared to Component. All the colors are washed out. I borrowed the VGA cable to test it.. and it just looked bland compared to component.
Norse
03-04-2007, 11:52 AM
VGA looks like shit compared to Component. All the colors are washed out. I borrowed the VGA cable to test it.. and it just looked bland compared to component.

That may depend on your TV. On my TV the colors look great using the VGA.
King Drewsky
03-04-2007, 12:13 PM
Sony has failed on too many promises lately. Their word means nothing to me. I will believe they will have DVD upscaling when I see it.
Adam Blue
03-04-2007, 12:18 PM
This is awesome, something I wish the 360 would do. On my list of reasons to buy a PS3, this is a start.
Crenor
03-04-2007, 12:35 PM
About time the PS3 did this, but is it coming out with the software support to play PS2 games? So which decade is it coming out in?
Kamalot
03-04-2007, 12:42 PM
Buying on potential...
IrishWhiskey
03-04-2007, 01:22 PM
Our approach in Japan is, "Once it's perfect, we'll share it with everybody else." Whereas I think in order to engender trust in our users, we have to share some things that might be not quite perfect, but are ready to give you an indication of what's coming. So we could say, "You know, we're not sure when it's coming, but we're going to have DVD upscaling on Playstation 3." There you go. There's a scoop for you. In my view, we should have a slide on a Web site, or a blog. We should have [Playstation head of platform development Izumi] Kawanishi blog his road map for the Xross Media Bar for Playstation 3. I think he would probably have the biggest blog after yours in the world.
Two things. First, this seems to very much confirm the editorial about problems Sony is having with media relations across cultures, and they at least seem to be recognizing a need to be more open and accountable to gamers. Although it sounds like they don't have it quite right yet. We don't want a platform head to blog about an old development project. We want a human face to answer questions and take responsibility for mistakes, to let gamers know when the company is working to address their concerns or why they aren't. People who are part of the gaming and blogging community rather than talking down to us.

Second, he doesn't say soon at all, rather that he has no idea when its coming. As such I wouldn't start twiddling my thumbs and waiting. If they want people to buy BluRay rather than new DVDs, and they still currently beat the prices of most next-gen players, I don't see much of an incentive for them to add the feature just yet. It could be a year or more until we see it implemented.
NeoSuplex
03-04-2007, 01:31 PM
This is awesome, something I wish the 360 would do. On my list of reasons to buy a PS3, this is a start.

The X360 will upscale as far as the CSS specs will let it for your Output (I use VGA, so I get full access). I'm guessing the PS3 will have to follow these rules as well, meaning you'll need a VGA or HDMI adaptor to get Upscaled DVDs. Component and Composite are locked to 480.
Damn HDMI-less 360... I don't have an HDTV yet, but I hate knowing it'll cost an extra $400 to really use it.
Adam Blue
03-04-2007, 02:13 PM
The X360 will upscale as far as the CSS specs will let it for your Output (I use VGA, so I get full access). I'm guessing the PS3 will have to follow these rules as well, meaning you'll need a VGA or HDMI adaptor to get Upscaled DVDs. Component and Composite are locked to 480.
Damn HDMI-less 360... I don't have an HDTV yet, but I hate knowing it'll cost an extra $400 to really use it.

I have an upscaling DVD player that does both component and HDMI. I'm just dissapointed that the HD-DVD add-on doesn't have HDMI...my HDTV doesn't have VGA, and the VGA doesn't look as good as component oddly enough.
Zander
03-04-2007, 02:17 PM
I wonder how breaking the CSS in order to display higher than 480p dvds will be handled.
Akeldama
03-04-2007, 02:18 PM
VGA looks like shit compared to Component. All the colors are washed out. I borrowed the VGA cable to test it.. and it just looked bland compared to component.

When?

A dashboard update fixed this issue.
mkelehan
03-04-2007, 02:43 PM
That's great news. I'm sure the 360 will add the same feature real soon as well. Why they didn't both have it to begin with, I don't know.
NeoSuplex
03-04-2007, 02:50 PM
I have an upscaling DVD player that does both component and HDMI. I'm just dissapointed that the HD-DVD add-on doesn't have HDMI...my HDTV doesn't have VGA, and the VGA doesn't look as good as component oddly enough.

Ignoring your last sentence, since it seems to not know what it's trying to say, does your upscaler go up to 1080p or just 480p over component?
Philonious
03-04-2007, 02:52 PM
That's great news. I'm sure the 360 will add the same feature real soon as well. Why they didn't both have it to begin with, I don't know.

Probably because they're supporting HD formats and want to give us more reason to buy into them.
crashedout
03-04-2007, 03:10 PM
That's great news. I'm sure the 360 will add the same feature real soon as well. Why they didn't both have it to begin with, I don't know.

Just to reiterate the 360 already does this, it is just limited to VGA. TO avoid legal problems you cannot break CSS which does not allow upscaling over component. There are some smaller brand consumer players that ignore this, but the rest all meet this requirement. I remember Samsung complaining about this years ago with their first upscaling player. Sony will not break CSS, their advantage over the 360 is upscaling over HDMI as well as VGA/RGB. I have been playing dvds on the 360 at 1080p via vga, and it looks good. No washout here, although that seems common on lcd's.

Wow I just assumed the ps3 already did this, as their other Blu-ray players do. Its appears to be another scaling feature that Sony ignored or forgot...I really don't understand how they did as their TV's have good scalers. Its like they never even talked to the other divisions, bad management. At least they are fixing it.
Midda
03-04-2007, 03:14 PM
Component and Composite are locked to 480.

Just to nit-pick, Component can go higher than 480. PAL is 576.
NeoSuplex
03-04-2007, 03:18 PM
Just to nit-pick, Component can go higher than 480. PAL is 576.

Well, it can really go as high as the data it can carries can go. I was referring to how much upscaling is allowed according to the CSS.
mkelehan
03-04-2007, 03:31 PM
Stupid CSS. My HDTV only does component.

Okay folks, here's a question for you. More of a request. My computer is hooked up to the HDTV over 1080i component, so I've got an extended desktop and a fantastic way to watch video files. However, for what I can only assume are the same reasons as the 360 only upscaling over VGA, all the DVD software I use refuses to play on the TV side. Does anyone know of Windows DVD software that will play over component, and thus give me the upscaling I want?
dotbomb
03-04-2007, 03:55 PM
Yay. Now give me an IR input!!!!
NeoSuplex
03-04-2007, 04:09 PM
Stupid CSS. My HDTV only does component.

Okay folks, here's a question for you. More of a request. My computer is hooked up to the HDTV over 1080i component, so I've got an extended desktop and a fantastic way to watch video files. However, for what I can only assume are the same reasons as the 360 only upscaling over VGA, all the DVD software I use refuses to play on the TV side. Does anyone know of Windows DVD software that will play over component, and thus give me the upscaling I want?

Whatever you do, don't break the CSS encryption thereby enabling you to upscale as much as you want. Such things are Illegal and immoral. Even thinking about Google searching for "DVD Decrypter" or other programs is a surefire way to corrupt your soul.
ascl
03-04-2007, 04:30 PM
Try VLC, it should work without restrictions.
mkelehan
03-04-2007, 04:54 PM
Try VLC, it should work without restrictions.
Thank you kindly. It most certainly does.
civil_dead
03-04-2007, 08:35 PM
Whatever you do, don't break the CSS encryption thereby enabling you to upscale as much as you want. Such things are Illegal and immoral. Even thinking about Google searching for "DVD Decrypter" or other programs is a surefire way to corrupt your soul.
Nicely put.

Oh, and get to upscaling games dammit. I'm almost done with Yakuza.

Leeeerrrroooooyyyy Yakuuuuuuuuuzzzaaa!!!
Jack B
03-04-2007, 08:54 PM
This can't be looked at as anything, but a good thing. It does make a difference for most people.
Kamalot
03-04-2007, 08:55 PM
PS3 will come out with DVD upscaling.

PS3 will have a price drop.

Which will come first?
92miata
03-04-2007, 08:57 PM
since i already own one they better offer upconverting before a price drop.

:)
Virtual Machine
03-04-2007, 11:44 PM
VGA looks like shit compared to Component. All the colors are washed out. I borrowed the VGA cable to test it.. and it just looked bland compared to component.


VGA on my 50-inch Grand Vega SMOKES, and the 360 upscales my DVD's to 720p.

Meanwhile - i've said it before - i'll say it again - When the PS3 upscales my legacy games, THEN i'll buy in.
Kamalot
03-04-2007, 11:47 PM
VGA on my 50-inch Grand Vega SMOKES, and the 360 upscales my DVD's to 720p.

Meanwhile - i've said it before - i'll say it again - When the PS3 upscales my legacy games, THEN i'll buy in.
Fully upscaled and anti-aliased PS2 games would be a great selling point for PS3 and would probably force me to get one. Granted, it better play all the games in my library too.
Virtual Machine
03-04-2007, 11:51 PM
Fully upscaled and anti-aliased PS2 games would be a great selling point for PS3 and would probably force me to get one. Granted, it better play all the games in my library too.


Amen. Though truth be told if it played FFXII in 720p with AA and texture filtering i'd probably be content.
Magnanimous Gnome
03-05-2007, 05:28 AM
What is this CSS thing you guys keep referring to?

Why in the world are there all these silly "standards" or "guidelines" or what-have-you (CSS, HDCP, etc.) that intentionally limit hardware? I don't get the point of it at all - what's the point of setting an arbitrary limit on what signals DVD players can send over component???
Watership
03-05-2007, 05:49 AM
I bet this only upscales over HDMI. There are all sorts of legal and licensing issues with upscaling over Component.
Kamalot
03-05-2007, 05:54 AM
I bet this only upscales over HDMI. There are all sorts of legal and licensing issues with upscaling over Component.
And Sony Wants people to buy Bluray, not upscale their current DVDs.
DangerousDaze
03-05-2007, 06:07 AM
And Sony Wants people to buy Bluray, not upscale their current DVDs.
Which explains why the standalone Blu-Ray players already upscale DVDs. Oh, no wait, it doesn't.
Kamalot
03-05-2007, 07:04 AM
Which explains why the standalone Blu-Ray players already upscale DVDs. Oh, no wait, it doesn't.
Good idea. If you have a collection of DVDs, buy a standalone Bluray player. You'll get more value out of your current collection.
lockwoodx
03-05-2007, 07:20 AM
Sony needs to upscale thier PR department first.
Virtual Machine
03-05-2007, 07:35 AM
Good idea. If you have a collection of DVDs, buy a standalone Bluray player. You'll get more value out of your current collection.

Or just buy an upscale player for about 15 percent of the cost of a bluray machine.

I was pretty damned amazed at how good upscaled DVDs look vs. BluRay on my display.

I only compared two titles, and yeah, bluray was clearer, but the difference was negligable.
DangerousDaze
03-05-2007, 07:37 AM
Good idea. If you have a collection of DVDs, buy a standalone Bluray player. You'll get more value out of your current collection.
Look, sometimes you get lost in your own one liners. You imply that Sony are attempting to coerce people into buying Blu-Ray disks by not supporting upscaled DVDs. Then, when that that assertion is shown to be just another baseless Sony dig you say that people with DVD collections should buy Blu-Ray players? I'm really not understanding your point here, though I'm sure you've got another one liner all set up to explain it. I'm all eyes...
Kamalot
03-05-2007, 07:43 AM
Look, sometimes you get lost in your own one liners. You imply that Sony are attempting to coerce people into buying Blu-Ray disks by not supporting upscaled DVDs.
I'm saying that Sony has no incentive to provide upscaled DVD playback on the PS3. They want people to buy BluRay rather than new DVDs. The PS3 still currently beat the prices of most next-gen players.

They may eventually offer upscaling, but there is little incentive for them to do so.
DangerousDaze
03-05-2007, 08:05 AM
They may eventually offer upscaling, but there is little incentive for them to do so.
I can't agree with you there. If the PS3 is the trojan horse Sony wishes to employ to get Blu-Ray players into the hearts and homes of consumers, then they won't want to intentionally hobble it, especially in the face of falling standalone player prices. There's no upside.
Kamalot
03-05-2007, 08:30 AM
I can't agree with you there. If the PS3 is the trojan horse Sony wishes to employ to get Blu-Ray players into the hearts and homes of consumers, then they won't want to intentionally hobble it, especially in the face of falling standalone player prices. There's no upside.
The upside is that people put a DVD in and it looks like ass, so they buy a Bluray disc.
Perhaps the target audience for the PS3 is concerned about games first and movie playback second, which means updating the DVD playback a lower priority than it would be on a dedicated player.

The bottom line is, this is another promise from Sony. Best to remain skeptical until we can try the final upscaling for ourselves. Sony has a proven track record of lying out their ass to consumers, press and shareholders.
DangerousDaze
03-05-2007, 08:42 AM
The bottom line is, this is another promise from Sony. Best to remain skeptical until we can try the final upscaling for ourselves.
On this point I am in full agreement.