IGN found a solution for gaming lag: DVDO's VP20 and VP30
IGN has had...issues...with HDTV lately. Well, rather with HDTV gaming lag, but they have found a remedy - DVDO's VP20 or VP30. IGN blame the lag on the HDTVs over-processing of the incoming signal. So, these set-top boxes just make sense as they do all the processing for the HDTV. The VP20 and VP30 takes the incoming audio and video signals and output a single clean resolution to the TV. DVDO just released a daughter card for these scalers though that can preform rapid deinterlacing processing. This allows for two gaming modes that can preform ether a one or two frame delay with edge adaptive deinterlacing. Sounds great right? Well, it comes at a price as these processors aren't cheap. The VP20 is $1699 and VP30 $1999 with the daughter card add-on for $499.
Would you be willing to spend the extra cash for no "gaming lag."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Big Sam @ Jul 14th 2006 11:29AM
Simple answer. NO
WASD John @ Jul 14th 2006 12:13PM
If money was no object then I would get one. Since money is something that I always could use more of I think I would just have to make do with what I have. I do wish I could afford a scaler like that though.
EdwardA @ Jul 14th 2006 12:48PM
Not for gaming. These scalers process incoming signals to give your set the signal in its native resolution with appropriate sound delay. That's useful for the previous gen of game systems(PS2, the GC and Xbox can do some HD/480p). The new systems will/do output in native HD resolutions so your TV doesn't have process/upscale the image.
truesper @ Jul 14th 2006 12:52PM
The more interesting question to me is whether this scaler makes old consoles look decent on fixed-pixel displays without lag. The PS2 looks godawful on every HDTV I've tried, from 32" CRT to 55" LCOS.
TK101 @ Jul 14th 2006 3:40PM
Hell, I have the VP20 on my list of must-haves for my new home theater, so this is just a bonus :)
Carl @ Jul 14th 2006 7:03PM
Truesper, what games were you using and did you have component cables for ps2? I would love to have this for one game in particular: GUITAR HERO!! I play Shadow of the Colossus and God of War set in 480p (upscaled to 1080p on my LCoS), and it looks great, well hell it looks awesome... but both of those games were designed with progressive scan and widescreen in mind.... Guitar Hero... looks abysmal on it, pixelated and laggy (doesnt have a widescreen option, and doesnt have progressive scan).
Brian @ Jul 14th 2006 7:28PM
I play guitar hero on my Samsung HLR5078W, and when I turn the set to gaming mode the delay isn't that bad. But as you said, it looks pretty damn poor. But that game's more about the music anyways...
Doug @ Jul 14th 2006 10:37PM
Here's another idea - instead of saving $100 by buying an off-brand HD TV, buy a quality one instead.
My Sony 50" KDF has zero lag, on PS2, Xbox or 360 (all connected via components.) That's including Guitar Hero.
FYI, the PS2 looks like ass-sticks on a large HDTV because it's not capable of a resolution higher than 480p except through the use of software shenanigans (like in Gran Turismo 4 - which replicates 1080i.)
It's impossible for a device that only resolves to 480p to display in 1080p - your TV may run a bunch of blurring filters on it and interlace the hell out of it, but it will not turn into a true HD signal.
GT4 looked bomb in faux-1080i until I got a 360, at which point GT4 looked significantly less impressive.
Mark @ Jul 17th 2006 11:59AM
#8 said it exactly... My 52" Toshiba DLP has no lag problems with the PS2, Xbox & Xbox360. All of which are hooked up via component.
Remember with HD: Crap in = Crap out
Mmmm... 360 goodness