Sony retracts 1080i fix statement, leaving customers in lurch

All you owners of HDTVs that can only do 1080i, we've got some bad news for you. Sony Computer Entertainment America's head honcho of Corporate communications, David Karraker, apparently retracted -- or at least backtracked -- on Sony's previous statements about the increasingly infamous 1080i issue (the one that won't let PS3s play games at 1080i on HDTVs that don't support 720p). According to GameDaily, Sony cannot actually confirm this issue can be fixed via a firmware patch (although they're not denying it, either), and that they are "looking into the issue and haven't stated any actions that will be taken regarding it."

[Thanks, Matt]

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 26th 2006 7:58AM]

I now remember the new wii-style controller. Its called the Fusion and its created by In2Games. It can do all motion and depth but instead of using a sensor bar this uses sound.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 26th 2006 10:09AM]

This is a prime example why being an early adopter is NEVER a good idea. As they say, "Patience Pays" and "All Good Things Come To Those Who Wait (for the bugs to be worked out before buying)"

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 27th 2006 2:56AM]

The European users on this site, turning a legit issue with Sony into an attempt to bash the United States are complete idiots. Sets with this technical limitation were manufactured and available in the United States between 1998 and 2002, well before HDTV was even available in Europe.

Because of this, there are millions of these sets throughout the United States, Canada, and Japan.

We were enjoying our HDTV broadcasts for a good five to six years before you could even purchase an HDTV set in the European Union. The technical limitations of these sets are simply due to their greater age, and telling millions of people to toss out their TV sets simply because SONY is inappropriately lax in supporting a huge percentage of the HDTV install base is absolutely ludicrous.

These sets were sold before the EU standards regarding HDTV were even drawn up, I don't think a set has been sold in either the US or Japan with similar limitation since 2003. There goes the myth of the "superior, altruistic" european governence, at least in this case.

Europe got there dead last in the HDTV race (READ: 2004!) and that is why the picture is so less confusing there, pardon the pun.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 27th 2006 4:25AM]

The European users here who keep claiming that certain types of HD TVs are banned in Europe are totally clueless. There is no such ban. Total nonsense. That was actually one major reason why the "HD Ready" logo was introduced in Europe in the first place - because there were a lot of HD TVs which did not support all relevant formats, so they introduced "HD Ready" to get rid of the confusion. If there were a ban, you wouldn't need the logo.

That's also why there are e.g. technology-related shows on TV in Europe where you are being urged to buy only HD TVs with the "HD Ready" logo - because there ARE non-HDReady HD TVs being sold in Europe and because there is NO ban on non-HDReady TVs.

So really, there is no difference between Europe and America, except that Europe has the "HD Ready" logo, which is a voluntary certification, but not a MUST for selling HD TVs.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 27th 2006 9:21AM]

Thank you Sony. I really love my brand new X-box 360.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 27th 2006 10:11PM]

720P is mainly a US format, as outside countries using PAL only have 576P and 1080i mainly on their sets so its a huge disadvantage here. Atleast microsoft upgraded xbox to support all formats.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 28th 2006 3:00PM]

Calling it a "non-issue" is pretty arrogant - I can guarantee if you'd spent a ton of money on a 1080i-only set, you'd be upset about it too. Especially when it's a *Sony* HP61-HS10 that cost $3500.

Sure there are risks that come from being an early adopter - I just find it ironic that the first device I've considered buying where the lack of 720p is an issue is another Sony product. When I bought my TV, competitors did have 720p/1080i sets but I always liked Sony so that's what I bought. So what should I learn from this? Don't buy any more Sony products!

[quasimoto Posted Dec 1st 2006 1:46AM]

I have a Samsung 62 inch DLP HDTV at 1080p. I also managed to snag a PS3. But when I configure my settings, the max it will only let me go is 720p or 1080i. Why can't I set it at 1080p? From my experience, games running in 720p look a hell of a lot better than in 1080i, especially Resistance.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 17th 2006 1:42PM]

Well I just got my PS3 xmas gift and have been playing all weekend...playing Call of Duty 3 on an Mitsubishi 52" DLP HDTV...Call of Duty says it is able to play in 1080i...I bought it for that reason...all I can get is 720p...though the main consol screen comes in at 1080p...I am using Sony PS3 issued HDMI cable...Also if you put your PS3 in a nice cabinet...better make sure you have fans...you will get a nice little message saying "Your system is getting hot, please turn off soon". One more thing if you want to buy an extra controller from Sony, (you will pay $50) it does not come with the USB A to mini USB B cable meaning you have to share the cable that came with it...and Walmart does not sell the cable anymore just kits at $20 that allows you to have extra crap that you may never need...Other than that I like the PS3 so far...just hope that if a game is printed to be broadcast in 1080 that it better do it...

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 8th 2007 2:59PM]

Meet the PS3, one of the cheapest Blu-Ray players on the market(for good reason). Also plays games.