PS3 update 2.01. Unbelievably improved upscaling for PS2 games...

[heybtbm]

PS3 owners...

System update 2.01 was just released this past Wednesday (Nov. 21). For 20, 60, and 80 gig PS3 owners, this update has a little surprise waiting for you once you put in a PS2 disc. Incredible (and unbelievable) improved upscaled graphics.

Most of you may remember the 1.80 update earlier this year that essentially fixed the PS2 backwards compatibility issues that plagued the PS3 since launch. The 2.01 update goes one step further and makes PS2 games look even better.

I can verify substantial improvement in the following titles:

Final Fantasy XII
Shadow of the Colossus
Mercenaries
Grand Theft Auto (San Andreas and Liberty City Stories)

These are the only games I've tried so far, but I'm guessing every PS2 game will look better than before. I don't think I'm ever going to be able to play these games on a PS2 again. Imagine GTA not looking like a dark, blurry mess...it's now reality.

[SaturnFan]

I've been scared to download this new update with all the stories I hear at Playstation.com with peoples systems bricking after the download.

[roushimsx]

Oh wow, does this have a new internal renderer or something? I'm updating right now.

Thanks for the heads up :D

edit - Darn, not a new internal renderer, just an enhanced scaler. Oh well, better than nothing. Ridge Racer V is still a visual mess, unfortunately.

[misfits859]

I had to go in and reconfigure my audio to HDMI after the update. Kinda made me nervous when the auido for discs was not working...Simple solution though.

[jdc]

Awesome. The system keeps getting better and better. I still love to play Turismo and Tourist Trophy on occasion.

[MegaDrive20XX]

Yeah cool, but crappy news is I can't play Devil May Cry 1 on my PS3 80GB now thanks to this update patch. Thanks Sony, ya prick! :( All my PS2 and PS1 games were working fine last week until this garbage showed up.

[jonjandran]

I don't see much of an improvement on most games.

Sly, Jak, etc still look like crap at 175" :)

[Chuplayer]

Did this at least fix the 2.00 overscan issues?

[MarioMania]

Yeah cool, but crappy news is I can't play Devil May Cry 1 on my PS3 80GB now thanks to this update patch. Thanks Sony, ya prick! :( All my PS2 and PS1 games were working fine last week until this garbage showed up.

What is it doing.....

[roushimsx]

Yeah cool, but crappy news is I can't play Devil May Cry 1 on my PS3 80GB now thanks to this update patch. Thanks Sony, ya prick! :( All my PS2 and PS1 games were working fine last week until this garbage showed up.

Sony giveth and Sony taketh away.

[MegaDrive20XX]

What is it doing.....

It rejects DMC1 saying "This title is not compatible"

[Juganawt]

I've been scared to download this new update with all the stories I hear at Playstation.com with peoples systems bricking after the download.

AFAIK 2.01 is fine. It was 2.00 that bricked people's systems and caused lots of games to freeze, hence why the 2.01 patch came out so quick.

[Mangar]

So how good is emulation of PS2 and PS1 games now overall? Still lots of games that can't be played, or just a small number?

While this will probably shock and surprise the suits at Sony Headquarters, the backwards compatibility or lack thereof is my top PS3 consideration. Especially since i don't own a PS2 and want to crack into that software library...

[roushimsx]

Did this at least fix the 2.00 overscan issues?

I've only tested Ace Combat 4 for overscan issues since it was the most dramatic example I could remember from 2.00 and it looks like the problem has thankfully been resolved.

[s1lence]

Sweet, maybe one of these days when I turn on my PS3 to update it, AGAIN, I'll get to enjoy it.

[Trebuken]

I didn't notice a difference in PS2 games, and I still have stinking black borders on either side...

[roushimsx]

I didn't notice a difference in PS2 games, and I still have stinking black borders on either side...

- Try playing a game that supports 16:9
- If the game supports 16:9, turn on "Full Screen" instead of "Normal" under the Options (That little PS button -> some option thingy -> Screen Mode and Smoothing)

It's not going to magically make 4:3 games widescreen, it's just going to upscale them to HD resolutions (so they'll be displayed at 1440x1080 or 960x720 on a 1920x1080 or 1280x720 mat, depending on your settings). By toggling that Screen Mode option, you'll be able to determine if it goes widescreen or not (standard disclaimer applies: stretching 4:3 content to 16:9 looks retarded).

[Rob2600]

the backwards compatibility or lack thereof is my top PS3 consideration. Especially since i don't own a PS2 and want to crack into that software library...

Why not just buy a PlayStation 2? It's far less expensive than a PlayStation 3.

[Chuplayer]

I've only tested Ace Combat 4 for overscan issues since it was the most dramatic example I could remember from 2.00 and it looks like the problem has thankfully been resolved.

This is awesome news.

[Trebuken]

- Try playing a game that supports 16:9
- If the game supports 16:9, turn on "Full Screen" instead of "Normal" under the Options (That little PS button -> some option thingy -> Screen Mode and Smoothing)

It's not going to magically make 4:3 games widescreen, it's just going to upscale them to HD resolutions (so they'll be displayed at 1440x1080 or 960x720 on a 1920x1080 or 1280x720 mat, depending on your settings). By toggling that Screen Mode option, you'll be able to determine if it goes widescreen or not (standard disclaimer applies: stretching 4:3 content to 16:9 looks retarded).

I'll keep trying. Which games do you suggest for 16:9?

I tried FFXII and God of War II...they both left bars and I tried both Fullscreen and Normal. Wasn't that big a deal, but I'm being particular...

[roushimsx]

I'll keep trying. Which games do you suggest for 16:9?

I tried FFXII and God of War II...they both left bars and I tried both Fullscreen and Normal. Wasn't that big a deal, but I'm being particular...

Both of those games should support 16:9. Don't forget to toggle the widescreen support ingame before you switch to "Full Screen". Is your PS3 XMB in widescreen already before you go into the game? If not, you'll have to change the mode on your tv to full (or whatever else it's called on your set).

HDTV Arcade (http://www.hdtvarcade.com/hdtvforum/index.php?autocom=custom&page=ps2ab) has a snazzy list of games that support 16:9 (and 480p/720p/1080i/PL II/Online Play, though I don't believe it accounts for games that had online play but the servers are now gone).

Edit - VVVVV I love your posts. Please never change.

[MarioMania]

Some people is having problems with playing PSX/PS2 Games with the update..That what MegaDive20XX is saying..Is it working for anyone else

[Chuplayer]

Some people is having problems with playing PSX/PS2 Games with the update..That what MegaDive20XX is saying..Is it working for anyone else

I've played King of Fighters XI for PS2 and Ridge Racer 60fps for PS1 on my PS3 since the 2.01 update, and I've had no problems at all.

[mailman187666]

do these backward compatiblitiy issues with 2.00 and 2.01 apply to all PS3 models? or just the ones that use software emulation? I have a 60 gig and have never seen any problems as of yet.

[heybtbm]

do these backward compatiblitiy issues with 2.00 and 2.01 apply to all PS3 models? or just the ones that use software emulation? I have a 60 gig and have never seen any problems as of yet.

Yes, they're talking about the 80 gig (i.e. emulation troubles). The 20 and 60 gig models are fine.

[MegaDrive20XX]

Why not just buy a PlayStation 2? It's far less expensive than a PlayStation 3.

That's a good idea. I just say the hell with it and get a PS2 on the side.

[heybtbm]

That's a good idea. I just say the hell with it and get a PS2 on the side.

Once you see what the PS3 does for PS2 games, you would never want to use the PS2 again.

[thegardentool]

How is the upscaling over component? The component cables I bought for my PS2 aren't working on an HDTV and was already thinking about buying a slim system. I guess I could pay a little bit more and just get a 20/60GB PS3 and use it for backward compatibility as well as the must-have exclusives whenever they start appearing in mass.

I have one HDMI input but if component works just as well I'll use it for my Satallite receiver when I get around to ordering DISH Network.

[roushimsx]

How is the upscaling over component?

It's the same as the upscaling over HDMI unless your cables aren't that hot. Surprisingly enough, my official Sony PS2 component cables left me with some noticeable amounts of noise in the image but my third party Pelican component cables looked fantastic. Your mileage may vary.