Qtv launches console IPTV platform on the PlayStation.... 2
by Richard Lawler 
posted Apr 21st 2009 at 7:22AM
ps2 posts
Sony's 1.80 PS3 firmware enables 1080p upscaling for games and movies
by Darren Murph posted May 23rd 2007 at 11:16AM
Hot on the heels of an 80GB Korean-bound (and US, too?) PlayStation 3 comes news that Sony is planning on seriously upping the abilities of the PS3 with a forthcoming firmware update. Compared to minor changes that have occurred in the past, this one looks to be fairly substantial, so we'll cut to the chase and give you the skinny. First off, firmware v1.80 will enable "upscaling of PlayStation / PlayStation 2 games and DVD movies up to a full 1080p when viewed on a compatible HDTV set." Of course, that "up to" bit frightens us a bit, but we'll take any progress we can get. Moving on, PSP users will enjoy Remote Play on their PSP across the internet, which will allow them to "access their PS3 anywhere in the world where a broadband internet connection is available." Additionally, owners can now view multimedia stored on a DLNA-enabled media center PC "seamlessly," and there will even be an option to print images stored on the console's HDD or inserted media to a "selection of Epson printers." The tough news, however, is that this attractive update won't be available until May 24th, so go dig up that original Twisted Metal disc in the meantime so you're ready to rock when the time comes.[Via PS3Fanboy]
CNET reviews the Xploder PS2 HDTV player
by Matt Burns posted Mar 21st 2007 at 11:57AM
Were you thinking that you could put off purchasing one of the spiffy HD DVD or Blu-ray players by recycling your old PS2 player with Xploder's PS2 HDTV player? Think again. According to CNET, the piece of software comes with a nice component cable but besides that, it doesn't do much. Sure, it outputs a high-def resolution but that doesn't alone make a HD picture HD. All this earned the player a terrible 2.7 out of 10 proving that if you want quality HD playback from your PS2, you ain't going to get it. Pony up and get an up-conversion DVD player or a next gen-player if you want the real thing.UPDATE: Link fixed
XCM unveils Multi-Component Cable v2: console connections unite
by Darren Murph posted Jan 6th 2007 at 9:48PM
We're all about keeping things nice and well kempt, and if you're the type who's sporting a house full of consoles, you know precisely how difficult a clean wiring solution is to maintain. Helping to clear out that rat's nest of cabling is XCM -- those same folks who brought us the XFPS -- which is delivering the Multi-Component Cable v2 to simply that cord conundrum. Sporting a trio of connectors, this single device can simultaneously connect to your Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation 3, and reportedly your dusty PS2 as well, and plugs into your TV set via component outs. As you might expect, a simple flip of the toggle switch changes the console you see on screen without you having to risk your life climbing atop the television. Currently, the device is still stuck in "preview" mode, but XCM promises to have a full list of specs and availability details ready soon, and if you can catch a video sneak peek after the jump.Xploder HDTV Player for PS2 reviewed
by Richard Lawler posted Nov 1st 2006 at 10:19AM
We were skeptical about Xploder's HDTV Game Player package for the PS2 back when it was first announced, and IGN's review has done nothing to convince us otherwise. The kit includes a disc that must be inserted every time the PS2 is hard-booted, component cables, and manual to enable setting your PS2 to output games at 480p, 576p, 720p, or 1080i. It's not that the PlayStation 2 didn't support these resolutions, but most games did not include them as an option. IGN didn't have any problems when setting things for 480p, and did notice a slight improvement in quality, however they got distortion and stretching not unlike TNT's "HD" broadcasts when using 720p and 1080i. Apparently, 576p is supposed to avoid some of these scaling distortions but their display could not accept that resolution. All in all, it seems if you really need 480p in games that didn't support it -- for example to avoid gaming lag -- this might be worthwhile but its not suddenly going to turn your PS2 into an HD-pumping beast.Xploder HDTV Movie Player for PS2 converts DVDs to...EDTV?
by Richard Lawler posted Aug 4th 2006 at 8:19AM
We're not quite sure what is so HD about 480p upconverted DVDs, but Xploder has followed up its HDTV Game Player for PS2 announcement with the the HDTV Movie Player for PS2. While we took the news that a set of component cables and a memory card setting could suddenly improve the resolution of your Playstation 2 games beyond their original capabilities with a grain of salt, this is even more confusing. Every Playstation 2 since the SPCH-50000 revision three years ago is capable of progressive scan 480p DVD playback when equipped with component cables already. That makes this product totally unnecessary for many owners, and of course we have to question if it will work properly with older model PS2's that didn't support 480p for movies, only for gaming.I remember trading in my PS2 immediately in 2003 when the SPCH-5000 came out for progressive scan DVD support, you can check the model # to see if yours is supported, or just look at the front. If it is missing the FireWire port you should be all set for 480p with the right cables and a change of a setting. With all the attention the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 are giving to the HD Era, this may be an unfortunate grab to turn some of that attention into sales of unneeded stopgap hardware.
Xploder to make your non-HD Playstation 2 games into high-def
by Matt Burns posted Jul 31st 2006 at 1:27PM
We don't know how we feel about this one. Xploder claims that their device will turn your non-HD Playstation 2 games into high-def via its HDTV Game Player software. This piece of software is installed onto a users memory card and somehow that allows all those 480i games you have laying around to become gorgeous high-def; just like that. We don't totally know how this thing works, or if it works at all, but one thing is for sure, and that is, if you want high-def gaming, this thing is a whole lot cheaper then a Xbox 360 or PS3. For some reason we think these games are going to be high-def in the same way you 'beat' all those Nintendo games thanks to The Game Genie.CES: How the hell am I supposed to make this stuff work together?
by Richard Lawler posted Jan 9th 2006 at 1:11PM
Connecting. It seems like companies had no problem doing that at CES. Everybody was in a partnership with everybody else and was in a hurry to tell people about it, I'm not even going to make the lame high school compariso...oops.
But seriously, after all the talking is done, I still don't know what is going to work with what, or how. I can't even imagine what it's going to be like for the average consumer this year, because this stuff is gibberish to me. Let me run down a list just of the things I'm left with far more questions than answers about.
Intel:
- Viiv: I still don't know what
this is. I know that Intel has partnered with everyone
and their mother. (Seriously, at this point I wouldn't be at all surprised if I visited home and found that I
needed at the least a software upgrade before I could eat some DRM protected home cooking). The questions I need
answered are, will I absolutely need to buy an Intel PC to take advantage of this content? How will I take advantage of
it, can I build my own Viiv PC? And what does this mean
anyway?
- Congratulations, the Xbox 360 is getting HD-DVD playback. How much, how will it connect to my 360 and my TV and when can we expect it, until you answer those questions I'm not excited in the least.
- Is Wintel really dead? Viiv relies on Windows Media Center, but Microsoft is partnering with AMD on their competing AMD Live standard, (btw, everything I said about not knowing what Viiv is, goes double for AMD Live).
- Now that Google is using DivX, is Microsoft going to add support for streaming to the Xbox 360 or am I going to have to wait for a mod chip?
Last minute holiday shopping?
by Richard Lawler posted Dec 24th 2005 at 1:42PM
There's always DVD's, CD's and
videogames. So what might you pick up today that would look great on the screen of the HDTV owner in your life? I've
got a few ideas.DVD's -
- The Island - I know I know, nobody went to see it at the theaters, let me tell you, I think they made a mistake. It was a great summer action flick and will make for a great winter action flick to watch inside while it snows. The sets and the special effects had me thinking this may be my first Blu-ray/HD-DVD purchase when I originally saw it in the theater, since neither of them made it this year I'll have to settle for regular DVD quality upconverted. Oh yeah, and Scarlett Johansen? Incredibly easy on the eyes.
