Quality of DVD on Playstation 2

[daveman]

I am planning to buy a DVD player and wouldn't mind upgrading my PS1. So I was wondering how good the DVD playback is on the Playstation 2. Would I be better off buying just a good DVD player?

Thanks,
David

 

[Servnya]

You're forced to use composite video out on the PS2. There is no S-video or component output, unless they are offering it aftermarket. I haven't seen anything like that yet though.

 

[LethalWolfe]

I've heard that the PS2 makes an average DVD player. But if you have a "home theater" type setup I'd get a stand alone DVD player.


Lethal

EDIT: if it's true that the PS2 offers only composite out, then I'd say buy a stand alone player w/S-Video out.

 

[Servnya]

The sound is ok because there is an optical out (toslink). It's just the video that's hindered. If you want great picture quality, get a stand-alone.

But the PS2 rocks as far as games are concerned, espectially with digital out!!

 

[Viper GTS]

S-video and component outputs are available aftermarket for the PS2, I know for sure they're made by MonsterCable & probably others as well.

Even with that, I seriously doubt that either the picture quality or the ease of use will surpass even a low-end DVD player such as my Panasonic DVD-RV31S (component output to my Wega looks nice).

Viper GTS

 

[777php]

My DVD player skips sometimes while playing movies...does anyone else have this problem or do i have a defective unit?

Other than that it is a serviceable DVD player. Unfortunately it cannont play cd-r's or rw's.

 

[Antny]

I'd probably avoid this setup. I had the PS2 as my only DVD player for a while. I had it hooked up using the composite cable. I don't know if it was just my setup, but the colors always seemed a little off. It was really noticable when playing Titan AE. The colors (reds especially) seemed way oversaturated. Other movies looked fine but after seeing Titan AE, I rushed out and got a standalone player.

 

[DanJ]

Definetily get a nice standalone with component and s-video out. Plus the PS2 doesn't play VideoCDs...as some people use.

 

[Servnya]

<< S-video and component outputs are available aftermarket for the PS2, I know for sure they're made by MonsterCable & probably others as well.

Even with that, I seriously doubt that either the picture quality or the ease of use will surpass even a low-end DVD player such as my Panasonic DVD-RV31S (component output to my Wega looks nice).

Viper GTS >>



Do these add-on's use the expansion module?

 

[daveman]

Thanks for the info. I guess I'll save a few bucks and forget about the PS2 for a while. I'm sure there will be some killer deals on DVD players with Christmas coming up.

 

[Antny]

Do these add-on's use the expansion module?

No, the S-video and Composite cables are completely seperate cables which replace the one included with the PS2

 

[BDawg]

The S-Video and Component out just plug into the video out port on the back, just like the composite. Heck, they're cross-compatible from the PS1. I'm still using my PS1 S-Video cable.

 

[Servnya]

<< The S-Video and Component out just plug into the video out port on the back, just like the composite. Heck, they're cross-compatible from the PS1. I'm still using my PS1 S-Video cable. >>



If that's the case, how can the quality be any better than the composite. The signal sent won't be any clearer, it will only be using a different medium.

Those of you using these, do you see a notable difference?

 

[StageLeft]

1) PS2 definitely supports s-video and component. If your tv supports either one you'd be remiss not to pay the $15 to pick up the correct wires, which you can find in any gaming section.
2) Although many people would be surprised the PS2 has very good DVD quality. No, it's not top-end but most of the reviews I've read said it is medium quality - meaning it is better than low-end DVD players. Anyway, unless you have a very good video system you won't notice anyhow - and the PS2 also has optical out for full DTS or 5.1 audio lovins.

If you're looking for a DVD system and also a console the PS2 is the clear choice. I would argue that unless you have a very nice home theater setup the PS2 handles all of your DVD needs amply. It has limited options but it's quality is perfectly adequate for most people - plus you get a great console and soon Sony will release the Linux distro for PS2 if you're into that.

If that's the case, how can the quality be any better than the composite. The signal sent won't be any clearer, it will only be using a different medium.

Those of you using these, do you see a notable difference? There is a VERY significant difference. I can't even stand my PS2 on composite. Switching to S-video (I didn't end up picking component cables) makes every clear.

The reason that it is better with the correct cables is because the PS2 outputs in high quality vid, it's just that going to composite degrades the quality. Using s-vid/component you get minimal or no degredation.

 

[amnesiac]

Are you people retarded? S-video and Component Video cables for the PS2 have been out BEFORE the damn thing was released!

Anyway S-Video out on my PS2 is great... not quite as good as a standalone but I have no complaints.

If anyone wants a Monster Cable component video cable for their PS2, PM me.. I have one for sale

 

[Viper GTS]

<<

<< The S-Video and Component out just plug into the video out port on the back, just like the composite. Heck, they're cross-compatible from the PS1. I'm still using my PS1 S-Video cable. >>



If that's the case, how can the quality be any better than the composite. The signal sent won't be any clearer, it will only be using a different medium.

Those of you using these, do you see a notable difference? >>



There will be a big difference. A Dreamcast is the same way, the video out port is the same but the s-video adapter makes a big difference.

The higher quality interface keeps the signal cleaner when it reaches the destination, although they do start out the same.

Viper GTS

 

[LiQiCE]

Hey, no offense to anyone, but I don't think you guys understand how the connectors work ... the Playstation 2 and the Playstation 1 both have a proprietary connector on the back of the unit. This is where you normally plug the "other end" of the composite video cable into the PS2. This connector provides a high resolution video/audio signal, but if you are using a composite cable, you're still limited by the composite cable's 1-wire bandwidth. If you upgrade to an S-video connector or Component cable, the proprietary connector still provides a high quality signal (equal to that of an RGB output which is similar but not the same as what your VGA monitor uses) and it is then downgraded to S-video which provides 4 separate wires or component which provides 3 separate composite connections for each different basic color. Therefore, you will gain the benefit of the S-video or component connector by purchasing the aftermarket cable. I have a PS2 hooked up through S-video and there is a noticeable improvement over composite. DVD playback quality on the PS2 is comparable to a cheap DVD player but it is not up to par with higher end DVD players. X-Box is also a consideration which should provide higher end DVD playback due to its progressive scan capabilities. (It is rumored that this feature will not be included at first, but no confirmation of this rumor has been provided as far as I am aware).

Anyways, you are not limited to a composite connector on the Playstation 2, or the X-Box or Gamecube (which will not play DVDs, but Panasonic's version of the GameCube will for ~$100 more).

EDIT: oops, this took me a long time to write ... Some of the people above me certainly are correct in their understanding of the cables. But when I started there seemed to be a misunderstanding in this thread about how the connectors work for Playstation 2 ...