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Toshiba HD-A2 on store shelves now
After a relatively brief delay, the cheaper of Toshiba's two second-generation HD DVD players for the U.S. is now available. Shipping in limited quantities to some dealers already, a few AVSForum members were able to pick them up at Best Buy yesterday and today. Priced at $499, in exchange for a new slim design and faster loading times (around 30 seconds from power on to movie play according to initial reports), this revision loses the 5.1 analog audio outputs of the HD-A1. Still, if you've been waiting for that bug free (don't bet on it) second revision hardware with HDMI (1080p coming on the HD-XA2) output not available on the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on, this is it.[Thanks, Ken F.]
PS3 firmware 1.30 "fixes" 1080i problem
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/PS3_firmware_1_30_fixes_1080i_problem_In_other_words_not_fixes'; There is an outstanding 1080i problem on the PlayStation 3. This problem has not been fixed by today's 1.30 firmware update.What has been fixed: the system has given a higher priority to 1080i signals so, if available, the console will default to 1080i over 720p. This means that if your HDTV supports 720p, and a game's native resolution (like Resistance: Fall of Man) is 720p, it should display fine in that resolution. If the native resolution is 1080p (NBA07, the XMB interface, Blu-ray movies) and your set supports 1080i and 720p, the console will automatically default to 1080i due to the higher preference, regardless of what your preference is. If you disable the 1080i output so everything will play in your preferred 720p, your Blu-ray movies will drop down to 480p. We're not really sure what problem this update was intended to fix or why the resolution hierarchy isn't user selectable. Luckily, most new HDTVs support both 720p and 1080i making these issues moot for many gamers, but we're hoping (really, it's on our Xmas list) that the eggheads at Sony are working on a holiday-themed upgrade to support downscaling Blu-ray movies to 720p and upscaling some games (like Resistance) to 1080i. Oh, and maybe some of that DVD-upscaling we're hearing about while they're at it.Also included in the update: RGB and Y Pb/Cb Pr/Cr output selection over HDMI A backup utility to get your removable media data -- that's SD, Compact Flash, and Memory Stick -- to the HDD HDD formatting option Support for a Bluetooth remote control [Thanks, Matt] Read -- AVS Forums on why 720p owners should not upgrade to 1.30Read -- Machine translated list of updates from jp.playstation.com
Sony releases PS3 firmware 1.3, ignores 1080i woes [Updated]
Well whaddaya know. Sony just rolled out a global update for the PS3 this morning, fixing some of the smaller gripes with the console, and completely ignoring the only one we care about. Naturally, most people have been a bit anxious about that 1080i bug, especially since Sony retracted its initial statement about a fix being on the way, so instead of calming our fears with soothing PR statements or, perish the thought, actually fixing the problem, Sony is teasing us all with a re-org of display resolution hierarchy, moving 720p to below 1080i in preferences. Sony also added a BD/DVD image output option, for switching between automatic, RGB and Y Pb/Cb Pr/Cr over HDMI. Slightly less exciting -- but still welcome -- are the additions of a utility to backup your SD cards, compact flash cards and USB memory sticks to the hard drive, and a HDD formatting option, to bring your PS3 back to spankin' new status. All that's great and all, but if Sony doesn't currently have 50 engineers chained to desks in Tokyo, feverishly working out a fix for this bug, we're not inviting Sony to our birthday party. So there![Via Impress; thanks Caleb C.]Update: Well, we don't have a 1080i set to test it on, but from what it sounds like, perhaps this 1080i bug could be fixed after all. We received an email this afternoon from Sony, (pasted in full after the break) about firmware 1.3, and while it does not specifically address the bug, it does sound like it's been fixed. Check it out.
ABC's Shaw reitterates the obvious, calls HDTVs "game changers"
We've already seen reports of sporting events in HD gluing Americans to their couches for little reason other than its sheer beauty, but now ABC's Mike Shaw is reinforcing the belief that HDTVs are redefining the way we watch television altogether. Aside from boasting that "content is king" while referring to ABC's smattering of "sports, primetime programming, and daytime dramas," he also referred to HDTVs as "the game changer" in a recent interview. He went so far as to draw a parallel from today's 720p / 1080i broadcasts to making the switch from black and white televisions decades ago. Interestingly, he also noted that HD would "have far more impact" than any of the "new devices like PVRs or DVRs," probably ruffling Steve Jobs' feathers in the process. Nevertheless, it's forecasted that "31 percent of 112 million US households" will sport HD sets by the end of this year, giving national broadcasters even more reason to cheer (and advertise), while giving us all yet another reason to hit that oh-so-tabooed button when catching up on recorded content.
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]
Sony begrudgingly promises fix for PS3 720p output issues
Apparently Sony's kicking off an early Thanksgiving break tomorrow, as they seem to be exhausting themselves today in preparation. After breaking the news that PSP Spots are US bound, floating the PSP 3.0 firmware out, and probably dealing with that massive invoice they just received from Thomas Menino and friends, the company is issuing a quasi-promise that the 1080i / 720p output problems plaguing some distraught PS3 owners will be fixed. Interestingly enough, Sony places a slightly unbelievable amount of blame on "antiquated HDTVs," as if having an HDTV that supports 720p is some sort of hidden requirement to operate a PlayStation 3. While we fully understand that most HDTV sets purchased today will indeed play nice with 720p signals, where's the love for folks who snagged those first generations sets produced by yours truly? According to Sony, a fix is on the way, but it doesn't sound like you'll be getting served with a smile.
HD offerings gluing Americans to their couches
You won't color us impressed on these statistics, but it's finally becoming a bit more apparent that HD offerings are making more and more Americans park it on the couch for longer periods time. While we've given you plenty of reasons (that you probably didn't need) to gander at HDTV, recent numbers are showing that folks are watching HD broadcasts at times for no other reason than the fact that it's in HD. In a recent survey conducted on ESPN's behalf, a whopping "22 percent" of sports fans said they watched events now that they would've never even glanced at if it weren't in HD, while another 22 percent said that HD converted them into sports fans altogether. Although ESPN has been a frontrunner in the push for total HD programming, their offerings are apprently transforming folks who were previously indifferent about March Madness and Rivalry Week into dedicated viewers of all sorts of HD content, and we couldn't possibly agree more. Moreover, an astoundind one-third of all reposndents said that having the program in HD influenced their decision to watch or pass, so maybe there is something magical going on in that 720p / 1080i hubbub, after all.
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.]
PS3 not all that upscale after all
I hated to have to break this disappointing news to the shivering PS3 fanboys camped out in the cold and wet at my local Best Buy, but somebody had to do it:As it turns out, gamers who own older HD sets that feature only 480i, 480p, and 1080i resolution input capabilities will have to settle for the display quality being downsized as the game boots in its 480p mode rather than upscaling the image from its more desirable 720p mode to the TV's 1080i. We tested this development on older HDTV sets with games designed for 720p but not 1080i -- Resistance: Fall of Man, NHL 2K7, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07, and Need for Speed Carbon. Sure enough, the system downshifted all four titles to 480p rather than moving up to 1080i. The PlayStation 3's competitor, Microsoft's Xbox 360, does upscale 720p games to 1080i if the HD set supports the latter resolution but not the in-between and commonly-employed 720p resolution. One guy countered (illogically) that he didn't care because 360 controllers are too big for Japanese hands. Apparently he still thinks we're wrasslin' with the Duke, although it might have been the hypothermia talking.[Thanks Nathan]
Philips ups its FlatTV lineup with 47-inch LCD and 63-inch plasma
Ok, so it's not quite as impressive as the 100-inch, Ambilight-equipped LCD Philips has to brag about, but the company has unveiled a pair of impressive FlatTV displays today at the Electronic House Expo in California. First up is the 47-inch LCD TV (47PF9441D), which touts the surely (or not) astounding 1080p spec and also features "Virtual Dolby Digital" audio, while the 63-inch plasma (63PF9631D) gets stuck with the seemingly indistinguishable 1080i and a built-in USB connector to stream images / MP3s without the need for an HTPC. Both units tout HDMI ports as well as Philips' Pixel Plus 3HD technology, which supposedly "enhances content to deliver more natural skin tones, detailed colors, and amazingly lifelike imagesgi." While further details are scant at this point, we do know that the 47-incher will run you $2,999 when it hits next month, while the currently available monstrous plasma will require $5,999.
Mossberg rules out 1080p as "an important factor" in HDTV buying
Walter Mossberg has taken questions and given answers on everything from scratch-prone iPod nanos to toilet seats, and now he's on the hot seat taking fire from prospective HDTV buyers. Other than touting his recently purchased Pioneer Elite PRO-1140HD plasma as being his display of choice, he tackled a nagging issue concerning 1080p (or the lack thereof). He opens by stating that 1080p "isn't an important factor at all," claiming that television networks will not embrace the format "anytime soon," and that the average joe can't tell the difference between the already-stunning 1080i and 1080p in the first place. He reiterated that only "techies, hardcore gamers, and videophiles" should even take 1080p into consideration (unless you're using the monitor primarily on your PC, of course), and shouldn't postpone that impending HDTV purchase another day waiting for 1080p-capable sets to fall in price. He also mentions that while built-in OTA tuners are certainly a boon for users inclined to setup an antenna and receive such programming, acquiring most other non-network HD feeds will require a subscription to a cable / satellite provider anyway, thus potentially diminishing its importance in your purchase. Regardless, buying an HDTV can certainly be a daunting task, but in the end, Mossberg insinuates that you shouldn't underestimate your own two eyes in discovering which set will please you most.[Via digg]
Still no discernable difference between 1080i and 1080p?
Although HomeTheaterMag has already told us that there's no (discernable) difference between 1080i and 1080p, it's quite understandable to still be skeptical when television manufacturers are screaming otherwise and touting 1080p as the new "must have" feature. In the latest battle between the two outputs, eagle-eyed testers at CNET compared the 1080p output from the Blu-ray version of the hot-selling M:I III film on five different displays. With monitors sporting resolutions ranging from 1,024 x 768 to 1,366 x 768 to 1,920 x 1,080, the conclusions were unsurprisingly similar to various other studies. Essentially, reviewers stated that in a vast majority of the scenes, the "level of detail was virtually identical" across the higher resolution sets, and that even the (relatively) low resolution Philips 42PF9631D plasma showed imagery "difficult to discern" from more elite monitors. Overall, testers felt that native 1080p rendered "slightly more detail in near background images in scenes with long depths of field," but was otherwise not really "necessary," and recommended that prospective buyers save their cash for the time being rather than buying in (literally) to the 1080p hype right now.
More on JVC's high-definition Everio camcorder
We just babelfished a bit more information out of Japan this morning on JVC's new high definition Everio camcorder. JVC confirms that their hi-def HDD cam will feature a trio of 1/5-inch CCDs like their GZ-MG505 camera and will shoot 16:9 at 1080i like we had assumed. So if you need to shoot in 1080p and can afford it, well, you'll just have look elsewhere. The new Everio will also be the first to slap on a FUJINON lens presumed to bring a 10x optical zoom judging by the print 'round the ring. We expect to see some working prototypes on display at CREATEC Japan where more information will surely roll. [Via Impress]
Microsoft's 1080p lets you read the fine print
Much like looking both ways before crossing the road, remembering to read the fine print is a valuable life skill that will inevitably save your existence at one point or another. Some even consider HD resolution to be a matter of life and death, especially when the money spent on a 1080p television could have been used to purchase New Zealand instead. When Microsoft announced earlier this week that an update would automagically enable 1080p resolution ("true" or "full" HD if you believe in such things) for the Xbox 360, they neglected to mention any specifics regarding component output and that pesky issue of copyright. A Microsoft insider (with handle "amirm") provides some clarity on the AVS forums, explaining what types of content are allowed over a component connection. If you insist on watching your HD-DVDs at full resolution, it appears you'll have to invest in a VGA cable (and not an HDMI cable).If your 360 is hooked up via component cables: Xbox 360 games can be upscaled to 1080p. Titles that run in 1080p natively (none of which currently exist) will also display without a problem. HD-DVDs will display at 1080i maximum -- you can thank AACS for that. Normal DVDs will play at 480p. CSS prevents anything higher (though some upscaling DVD players conveniently ignore it). If your 360 is hooked up via VGA cable: HD-DVDs, Upscaled DVDs and games can all display at 1080p with no copyright hassles. If your 360 is hooked up via RF Adapter: You have bigger problems. [Via Engadget HD]
Xbox 360 HD DVD playback: Maximum 1080i via component, 1080p VGA-only
We still don't know the US price or launch date, but we've got a bit more specifics on how the Xbox 360 HD DVD player add-on will work when it hits store shelves later this year thanks to a post by Microsoft insider Amir M. on AVS Forum. When Microsoft revealed yesterday it will support 1080p HD DVD and 1080p DVD upconversion we were surprised because it's commonly accepted that the CSS (DVD) and AACS (HD DVD & Blu-ray) copyright provisions wouldn't allow that (although some manufacturers have looked the other way before) via unprotected analog connections. We were right, sort of. Even after the software upgrade this fall, via component cables, the Xbox 360 will still only upconvert DVDs to 480p, and will play HD DVD movies at a maximum resolution of 1080i. To get 1080p output for movies, you must use a VGA cable, which is not subject to the same copyright restrictions. This just means the Xbox 360 is just like every other HD DVD and Blu-ray player on the market, but you wouldn't know that by reading Microsoft's press releases yesterday. If you ran out and bought a 1080p HDTV yesterday don't return it just yet, you should be able to get equal picture quality to 1080p if your TV processes the incoming signal correctly, and if it supports 1080p via component you can still play upconverted and native-1080p games . We're still waiting to hear exactly how HD DVD's advanced audio capabilities will be handled by the 360 and oh yeah...a US price, please Microsoft?.Update: Added list of supported resolutions after the break.
I-O Data unveils LCD-TV241 LCD monitor with TV tuner
In a world full of LCD TVs that treat PCs as second rate, I-O Data is taking a stand for those who'd like just a dash of television with their PC monitor. The LCD-TV241 rocks a 24.1-inch screen, 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, Japanese D4 input (which supports Hi-Vision), HDCP compatible DVI-D input, 1,000:1 contrast ratio, and 8ms response time. You'll also find a built-in analog (sorry, no ISDB-T love) TV tuner with integrated PIP, a rather uninspiring remote, and a sleek array of touch-sensitive controls gracing the frame of the black (or white) panel. While that analog tuner won't do you much good past 2011, this LCD knows your PC is your first love anyway, and can be picked up in Japan later this month for ¥133,000 ($1,130).[Via Akihabara News]
Sony's HDR-FX7 HD camcorder for prosumers
Get ready kiddies for that good high-definition recording fix to flow 'cause Sony just injected the HDR-FX7 camcorder into the scene. Replacing the aging HDR-FX1 launched two years ago this very day, the FX7 still brings HDV 1080i (1440x1080) recordings on miniDV tape via 3 CMOS sensors while trimming the weight by 25% and overall size by 40% -- in other words, 145×322×156mm and 1.4kg. The FX7 also maintains the 20x optical zoom but introduces an HDMI output and some enhanced usability features. Tucked beneath Sony's professional class HVR-Z1U camcorder the FX7 will drop November 11th in Japan for an estimated ¥380,000 or about $3,255 of that mean, mean green. Mmm, feels good don't it?[Via Impress]
Rumorang: Xbox 360 HDMI cable officially yanked
A newly discovered Gamestop and EB Games listing reveals an Xbox 360 HDMI cable, a rather ponderous product considering the fact that the console does not have the necessary port to accomodate such a miraculous transmissive device. Is it an expensive adapter that automagically goes from the bulky 360 AV connector to an HDMI output? Feel free to entertain such a possibility, so long as you remember that Microsoft wants nothing to do with it. After constantly pestering them for a comment, they informed us that the product was not one of theirs and that "Microsoft has not announced any additional support beyond component video for HD output. MS is watching the market closely and they will continue to evaluate any options in the face of consumer demand." Unless the face of consumer demand becomes crumpled in a furious frown regarding the lack of HDMI support, don't expect this retail listing (and they're usually so reliable!) to signify a change in Microsoft's strategy. Back in July, when handed the rumor of a new Xbox 360 equipped with an HDMI port, Microsoft promptly tossed it away and insisted that "you don't need HDMI for HD gaming." We fully expect the HDMI rumorang to return again sometime in the future -- catch it here when it does.[Via Digg, Xbox Evolved. Thanks Jayman16]See also: High-end PS3 shipping without HDMI cable
Is 1080p really worthless? Now it's personal
There's this Microsoft supporter, Ozymandias, who recently pushed an article called "1080p Meaningless this Generation". Well, perhaps Microsoft supporter is unfair, but he's definitely against Sony's new console. Let's sum up his reasoning behind the uselessness of 1080p. Multiplatform games embrace the 720p as a simpler system specification. Doesn't expect any 1080p (or i) games for the PS3 this year. No difference between 1080i and 1080p if television is de-interlacing properly. All are valid points, but there is a bit debate to be had. Let's see how we do. Let's be honest. Multi-platform games usually aren't that great. They're multi-platform to maximize sales. It's true they'd use the 720p since it's a simpler way to go multi, but what about the games just for PS3? Namely, RPG's, or anything other than FPS's and Madden? This is a fairly moot point as it's pointed at one piece of the gaming industry, but still valid. See the article on Lair. It's rumored to be a launch title. Even so, saying there won't be any 1080p games this year, when that includes a month and a half, is an unfair estimation. In one year after release? There certainly will be. Sure. This is confusing stuff to some people, so it's something we're willing to shrug and accept. It's relating to movies, mostly, and the whole Blu-ray vs. HD-DVD is a completely different story. If the two use the same codec, they might just be equal. The guy has some points, but it's a lot of anti-hype. It's a good article and very much worth a read and some more debate as comments, but we shouldn't make such hasty judgments when we haven't even started our engines. By November of next year, hopefully there will be more great debate to be had.
HomeTheaterMag: There is NO DIFFERENCE between 1080i and 1080p movies
A few weeks ago we answered the question on whether or not you can tell the difference between 1080i and 1080p. Many of you didn't like what was said or simply read it wrong, but HomeTheaterMag has a great write-up on why there isn't any difference between 1080i and 1080p. Geoffrey Morrison is writing with HD DVD and Blu-ray in mind as that is the only place you can get 1080p material right now. He explains it technical very well but also provides an abridged version at the end of the post. We highly recommend this post as it is filled with all the info we left out of our layman's post.
