PS3 doesn't do 1080i?

That's what IGN has discovered in testing several PlayStation 3 games. Despite 1080p being "the true definition of HD", most of the titles available are rendered internally at 1280 x 720 and scaled up accordingly... or at least that's what should happen. On many older CRT HDTVs that only support 1080i input and not 720p, instead of scaling to the appropriate HD resolution, the PS3 goes back down to the positively Wii-like EDTV standard of 480p. The problem is confirmed to exist in Resistance: Fall of Man, Tiger Woods 07, Need for Speed Carbon and NHL 2K7 so far, but no word from Sony if this can or will be fixed in a downloadable update. The Xbox 360 scales to 1080i without a problem -- although 1080p results may vary -- if you're not reading this from your place in line already be sure to check your HDTV's manual for supported input resolutions before grabbing a lawn chair (and bulletproof vest).

[Thanks, Michael J.]

[Hipster Union @ Nov 16th 2006 5:23PM]

You, sir, did not have a 65" CRT television. In case you're not sure, CRT stands for "cathode ray tube" meaning tube televisions as opposed to plasma or LCD. My 34" CRT HDTV weighs 200 lbs. For that reason, CRT HDTVs never went larger than 36." A 65" CRT HDTV would tip the scales at over 400 lbs.

[mrhammerstein @ Nov 16th 2006 4:01PM]

hey hannibalchew

could it be that the ps2 is outselling the 360 because it's $129, not $399?

what a dolt. gee, you think the free cellphone sell more than the $400 cellphones? must mean those $400 cellphones blow.

argh. parallel arguments people. stop comparing items that don't relate.

[Pip @ Nov 16th 2006 4:02PM]

Actually, it is not a requirement in the USA to display 720p. Only in Europe. Most HDTVs sold within the past 4 years WILL NOT DO 720P. This may be hard to swallow, but 720P did not become standard in most HDTVs until mid to late 2004. And it is NOT just CRTs, this goes for most rear projection HDTVs as well. From a consumer standpoint, this is a disaster because 720p is not a commonly used resolution. Most devices like HDCable tuners will upscale the few 720p channels available, while most HD channels simply do 1080i from the getgo. You will be hard pressed to find much love for anything 720P in the HD world.

[Rick @ Nov 16th 2006 4:03PM]

while 1080P is great, it is "OVER-HYPED", Most will not be able to tell the difference. Is all about marketing, 1080P sounds like the best thing since slice bread, well is not that big of a deal specially when watching movies.

[E Malave Jr @ Nov 16th 2006 4:13PM]

Hey, hannibalwhatever-most people were cutting edge with 1080i up until two months ago. Why trade in a 1080i set if it has one thousand and eighty lines. They usually still do progressive at the 480p level and some do 720p--1080p has only recently become available. Sony should be going forward not backwards. But it doesn't surprise me since they try to force everyone to use what they make instead of giving consumers choices. When you pick up your check at Sony Corp for trashing anything non-Sony in blogs you should trade in your Sony branded kneepads for a better set of rabbit-ear antennas. "The truth shall set you free", jerk.

[nVidiot @ Nov 16th 2006 4:53PM]

This IS an issue if Sony doesn't/can't patch it.

We aren't talking about not being able to display content recorded in 720p ala network TV, your cable box does the job of upconverting to 1080i with that.

Most 360 games are made for 720p. They still display on my TV that can't accept a 720p signal because the Dashboard has an option to set your TV to 1080i.

The PS3 does not have this option.

This SHOULDN'T be an issue.. Sony SHOULD be able to patch this.. but I'm confused as to why Sony hasn't made a statement that they are patching this.

And I have a SONY HDTV by the way.

[brock_samson @ Nov 16th 2006 5:03PM]

So if I want get a 360's full potenial of the output I'll need a VGA cable that connects to a DVI adapter that connects to a HDMI adapter for that?

[Hipster Union @ Nov 16th 2006 5:29PM]

That's impossible. Even for a computer.

The signals won't convert. There is no way to do VGA-HDMI. Theoretically, one can go from VGA-to-DVI-a. Then, the theory goes, one can go to HDMI. Doesn't work. If anything, you want VGA-to-component, for which you'll need a transcoder which may or may not work and may blow out your TV. They cost around $100 and require their own wall wart.

Might as well plunk down the extra scratch for the HD-DVD add-on.

[Don @ Nov 16th 2006 5:33PM]

He probably means CRT rear projection.

[general487 @ Nov 16th 2006 6:25PM]

This is a big deal and it is why I tipped engadget to post it. I have a RP CRT from last year and it does not support 720P natively. That means no HD gaming for me on the PS3 (unless they make all their games in 1080p and it can DOWNCONVERT- which doesn't seem likely). This is a BIG deal. If companies develop games in 720p (pretty standard now), then I won't get to play them in HD like I would on the 360. It is as simple as that.

If it is a hardware problem as some have posed, then customers like me are getting the shaft in next-gen gaming.

[Jason @ Nov 16th 2006 6:52PM]

The better question at this point, is it a hardware problem or is it fixable through firmware.

[Dave @ Nov 16th 2006 8:05PM]

Hmm... Hadn't planned on buying one, but I've got a great Sony 36" CRT HDTV that would've had this exact problem. Guess I'll stick with my 360. Sony f's up again.

[Ryan @ Nov 16th 2006 11:13PM]

Here is a great explanation of what you get from 1080p. http://blog.hometheatermag.com/geoffreymorrison/0807061080iv1080p/

Question: Does the DVD Drive that is standard on the 360 upscale DVD's to 720p/1080i?

[Jimmy @ Nov 16th 2006 11:52PM]

i have a 46" sony rp crt that i bought 2 years ago. it does 1080i. the 360 looks great on my set. so sony is screwing me until they get an update? urgh. thank god i don't have to stand in line tonight in the freezing cold with people robbing each other.

[Brian B. @ Nov 17th 2006 8:46AM]

720p is better for heavy motion stuff like sporting events and video games. The number of TV's that support 1080i and not 720p can't be too high.

[pimpbot515 @ Nov 17th 2006 12:36PM]

Are we SURE that it will output 1080p games at 1080i?

[marlon @ Feb 8th 2007 10:25PM]

I have a stupid question (im not to tech savy) the blue ray movies all say 1080 p resolution on the back of the cases. so if i have an older tv that only has 1080i what will the movie play in?