Question about PS3 and HDTV

[Jason]

Hey, I have what's probably a simple question but one I nonetheless don't know the answer to. I got a Vizio VX32L for Christmas. It's a 720p but it says 1080i is a "compatible input format". So my question is... when going into the video output settings on the PS3, it asks you to select all resolutions that are supported by your TV. It has 480p, 720p then 1080i and p. Since the TV is compatible with 1080i, do I want to select that? When I do, and I accept the settings, it says maximum display resolution is 1080i, which, it seems to me, is wrong, since it's a 720p TV. So, to get to the point: should I or shouldn't I select 1080i in the options???? Thanks so much, in advance, for any help!!!

[MooglePorn]

People will debate until the end of this generation which is better for games, 720p or 1080i... On the 360 I think it's better to go with 1080i if you can, everything looks a little sharper to me on that setting, plus my TV is 1080i native... the 360 scales everything really well, so even though almost every single piece of software on it is 720p you will get a nice 1080 image.

The PS3 however displays in native res for all games, only scaling when supported, which is rare, and even then only if your TV does not support the lower/higher resolution. The PS3 also has a lot more 1080 native content, mostly in downloads, so having as many options checked as possible means nice and crisp native resolutions for everything. In short, checking both means 720p content will display in 720p and 1080i content will display in 1080i, and it works well... all of them are checked on my TV and it works out great.

The only thing I would suggest is that if you notice lag or other performance hinderences in 1080i mode you will want to set it to only display 720p to possibly avoid the issues.

[Jason]

So even though it's a 720p TV, it's okay to select 1080i? I guess to me that doesn't seem right, but I'm new to all this and, having read some of your other discussions, know you'd know more than I do. And, if I SHOULD set it at 1080i, you're also saying I should do it on the XBOX360? Thanks a LOT for the help!!

[MooglePorn]

The two consoles are very different animals... On the PS3 you should definately select both... like I said, native 720p content will display in that resolution and native 1080 content will display in that resolution. Native always looks best, and most PS3 games don't scale anyway... select both for sure.

On the 360 side it scales everything you put in it. This is fine most of the time as the 360 has a kick-ass scaler, but you might notice games look or run better in your TV's native res, on rarely in their own native res, so you might want to play with it. I have mine set to 1080i because it looks a little better... that might depend on the TV though. Run some tests and see which you think is best, the 360 requires some trial and error.

[Jason]

Well, once again, thanks for the help! I guess it still seems odd to me to display 1080i content on a 720p TV, but what you're saying about scaling actually makes sense to me so that's good! I think, as you said, the best thing for me to do is to spend some time with them both and see what works best. No matter what, I'm just excited to be seeing this stuff in HD finally! Thanks MooglePorn!

[Ruined]

I would say to definitely set it to 720p only. Your set is native 720p and hence there is nothing to be gained by setting it to 1080i as it will have to undergo more conversions back to 720p. Aside from the fact that these conversions are unnecessary, the more conversions you make the greater the input lag becomes; instead of just sending your TV straight 720p, set at 1080i the PS3 will internally scale 720p to 1080i, send 1080i to your TV, then your TV will have to deinterlace 1080i and scale down to 720p. That adds a shitload of processing time you want to avoid if possible so that you do not get input lag when gaming (i.e. you press a button on the controller and the onscreen action is delayed a bit due to the processing).

Bottom line, set it 720p IMO.

[MooglePorn]

What Ruined just typed would be true if the PS3 scaled like the 360, which it does not. He does not have a PS3 and might not know the extent to which this is true.

Check all the resolutions your TV supports, trust me. If you notice some lag then experiment with unchecking 1080i, as I said.

[umainebearman]

Ok instead of starting an other argument thread here between the Ps3 people and 360 people.

In my short time having an hdtv and hardware that will output an HD signal I say STICK WITH THE PANELS NATIVE RESOLUTION. If its 720p stick with that even though your panel supports 1080i. Where Moogs panel is 1080i native 1080i will look better than a 720p native trying to show a 1080i image. I know nothing about all the scaling and crap but I do know as a huge Guitar Hero and Rock Band player that when the game has to be processed several times before it hits the screen that means lag. In those 2 games in particular lag is very very bad.

Stick with 720p.

[MooglePorn]

Yet more advice from someone without a PS3 to begin with.

I will say it slowly... the PS3 has a crap scaler... the PS3 often does not scale at all, or the scaled image is very inferior to the native one... if you check both 720p and 1080i all 720p native content will display in 720p (pretty much every BD game) and 1080 native content will display in 1080i (downloaded games, XMB menu, etc.)...

720p games that scale will not do so if you have 720P checked, they will display natively. You want the few 1080 programs and games to display that way rather than downscaled.

Check both.

Anyone else posting better have a PS3 or I am getting my bat.

[Iguana Man]

It sounds to me that you guys are actually agreeing on the 720P part concerning nearly every PS3 game. It's the d/l stuff that Moog is saying which 'can' be viewed 1080i that the disagreement is about....

Do I have that correct MoggBatPorn?

[MooglePorn]

Tecnically Iggy I have to get my bat now, since you posted and do not have a PS3, as far as I know.

In any case you're pretty close... with both 720p and 1080i checked everything displays in its native res, not a scaled res. Native res is best on the PS3. End of story.

It will not display things in 1080i unless they are native 1080i, and when things are native 1080 they look much better on that setting than 720p.

[1138]

I think (please don't use the bat) what Moog is trying to say is that, by checking all of the output options on the PS3, your TV will do the scaling much better than the PS3 will internally.

[Jason]

Well, I think maybe I'm a little more confused than before! No, most of what's being said makes sense, it's just a matter of deciding who's "right."

What 1138 said makes sense, if that is what Moog's saying. At this point, I don't have 1080i selected on the PS3, but I may end up changing that if it's the case.

The XBOX 360, on the other hand, is set at 720p and I think that's where it's going to stay.

Again, thanks to all who are giving their opinions and expertise!

[umainebearman]

Originally Posted by Jason

Well, I think maybe I'm a little more confused than before! No, most of what's being said makes sense, it's just a matter of deciding who's "right."

It's none of us that are right. Use your eyeballs and your preferences. Those to you are always right.

[MooglePorn]

Originally Posted by Jason

What 1138 said makes sense, if that is what Moog's saying. At this point, I don't have 1080i selected on the PS3, but I may end up changing that if it's the case.

1138 pretty much nailed it, I don't know why I didn't put it that simply...

If you notice any issued with 1080i checked then change it back, but you should certainly enable it for now.

[bloodstainedwings]

How many of you use your 360/Xbox/PS3 as your main DVD player? Do you use it often?. Do you think its safe to use a videogame machine as a main DVD player? ie do you think the lazer will ware out faster??