It appears HDTV's will play a big role in the next round

[Anthony1]

From what I understand, Microsoft has recently revealed some news regarding the XBOX 2. I didn't have a chance to read everything when the story first came out, and I can't find the stories about it now, but I understand that Microsoft has big plans to take full and total advantage of HDTV's, with their followup to the XBOX.

I can't see Sony or Nintendo not doing the same as well.

These consoles are expected to arrive in 2005 and 2006. And normally, you can expect a generation of consoles to last 5 or 6 years. So that basically means that from 2005 to 2011 or even 2012, we will be primarily playing XBOX 2's, PS3's and GameCube 2's. So it makes an awful lot of sense to take HDTV's into consideration for this period of time.

I have been saying for some time now that these next machines from Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft need to take the visuals and the audio to a whole new level.

I think that games need to start being "DESIGNED" in wide screen. Not some mode that makes a game "seem" widescreen. But to actually be desined in a native 16:9 ratio.

I also feel that all three new systems should have 4 different video modes as a "STANDARD" for every single game released on the platform.

1. 640 x 480 interlaced - for output to TV's that have no progressive scan capabilities

2. 1280 x 720 or 720P - for HDTV's that can display a 720 p signal

3. 1920 x 1080 interlaced or 1080i - for HDTV's that don't display 720p

4. 1920 x 1080 progressive or 1080p - For the few displays that can actually display full 1080p, and for hooking up to PC monitors


And of course I feel that the new systems should all be compatible with the latest Dolby Digital and DTS sound formats.

[Castelak]

Good, a way to put my HDTV to use. :)

[§ Gideon §]

I doubt that you'll be let down. I, for one, take it as granted that the next generation of consoles will have all the video/audio features one could possibly use.

[Half Japanese]

While you may very well be correct, I don't think a lot of publishers are going to take your idea to heart when, right at launch, Mad Catz, Nyko, Nuby, Intec and every other third party peripheral co. under the sun is going to have their RF adaptors ready for the lowest common denominator. Heck, my HDTV doesn't do 720p so 480p and 1080i are fine by me :D.

As for the "widescreen" issue, I don't think it's as popular with games as it is with movies for one reason: games don't have to be "edited" to "fit your screen." Whereas movies, which are presented in the theaters in widescreen, have to be chopped and generally fucked up in order to make them fullscreen. I'm sure widescreen-only will happen eventually I'll just be really surprised if it's even at the launch of the NEXT (ps4, etc.) generation.

[Ed Oscuro]

I also see that Intel's come up with some spiffy new video technology for rear-projection TVs.

In any case, there's no doubt any more that consoles are trying to appeal to the high end as well as the low end...specification creep is still very much a factor. Anybody who thinks next-gen consoles will be the last word in console graphics is a nut :)

Now the question is whether we'll be able to use it or not...lol

[NEOFREAK9189]

my HDTV doesnt do 720p so 480p and 1080i are ok for me

[NEOFREAK9189]

which is the difference in 1080i - and 1080p

[hydr0x]

These consoles are expected to arrive in 2005 and 2006. And normally, you can expect a generation of consoles to last 5 or 6 years. So that basically means that from 2005 to 2011 or even 2012, we will be primarily playing XBOX 2's, PS3's and GameCube 2's. So it makes an awful lot of sense to take HDTV's into consideration for this period of time.

no no and no :o

first thing, generations only last 4-5 years nowadays, so that'll be 2009 to max 2011 until the next one arrives

second, HDTV is practically non-existent in europe yet, the first hdtv-tv-channel just started this year, and it'll take quite a while, i guess 2010 until it'll be accepted by most people, not to talk of what people actually have, there are still less 16:9 then 4:3 tv's here

sure, the next generation will (at least the NTSC consoles) have hdtv support , the question is if the developers will use it, it's quite a lot of work to include 4-5 video modes if not the whole world will profit of it

[NEOFREAK9189]

in U.S.A all the tv station next year they had to send hdtv-tv-channel :D
now we have many channel in hdtv

[hezeuschrist]

HDTV has a long way to come yet, it's still an incredibly expensive technology that is definitely not available to the common folk. I wouldn't really care if none of the next systems included support for HD output, as long as it looks at least as good as it does on my craptastic TV now, I'm happy.

[Sylentwulf]

Yes, I believe it's at the end of 2005(?) that ALL TV stations must broadcast in HDTV (not sure about widescreen, maybe an option on the cablebox?)

The biggest people to get hit are the cable companies since they're going to have to offer everyone a stepdown converter cable box for all the normies who don't have HDTV's by then. Kinda like an autmoatic pan n scan box.

Anywho, point is, NOONES going to be buying non-hdtv's by the time the next consoles come out. I know, everyone here automatically says "who the hell would buy a non-hdtv NOW, nevermind almost 2 years from now!"
Well, a LOT of people. I bet the average person in the U.S. doesn't even know what HDTV IS.

[wberdan]

The original federal guideline was 2006 or 2008, if I remember correctly.
I don't think it takes a genius to figure out that it will be longer than that... I don't think HDTV will really come into it's own for another 10 years... maybe it will, I'm just sceptical.

Xbox already has games in 1080i, so that isnt too big of a step.
Personally I am more worried about the playability of games then the resolution.
1080p is good for a laugh... wonder when they will have a consumer set that would run that? I think youd be hard pressed to buy a computer monitor that had it without breaking the bank... maybe im wrong though, its been a while since i priced computer monitors and specs.

the one thing that i would be *more* interested in would be video games coming with a universal test pattern series- so you could set your television up to provide the best picture for these formats without playing "GUESS". I think that should absolutely be demanded on new consoles. The design team that makes the games uses test patterns to properly calibrate their televisions- why shouldnt we be allowed the same convenience?

willie

[Sylentwulf]

Ugh, no shit. Here's my wish for the next set of consoles. Let me ADJUST THE FRIGGIN SCREEN AT LEAST.

EVERY PS2 EA Sports game has a big damn line on the left hand side of the screen, because the whole screen is shifted to the right, and there's no damned screen adjustment. Drives me NUTS. Most games have it, it's a simple feature.

Screen Adjust.

Survival horrors have the Brightness adjust coming into their own as well, but I'd REALLY prefer to set it up through the HARDWARE and have the games check the PS2.

[wberdan]

Ugh, no shit. Here's my wish for the next set of consoles. Let me ADJUST THE FRIGGIN SCREEN AT LEAST.

EVERY PS2 EA Sports game has a big damn line on the left hand side of the screen, because the whole screen is shifted to the right, and there's no damned screen adjustment. Drives me NUTS. Most games have it, it's a simple feature.

Screen Adjust.

Survival horrors have the Brightness adjust coming into their own as well, but I'd REALLY prefer to set it up through the HARDWARE and have the games check the PS2.

I think they should do one better and have basic test patterns in the console.
Every game for that console should be calibrated (in the design process) to those same test patterns.

I aree that there should be minor adjustments available for, say, screen size or brightness on certain games- that should not be required if they used the test patterns and allowed us to use the same ones. If our monitors were calibrated properly (to the designers), we should see the game exactly as it was intended.

It should not be necessary to have to screw with your televisions adjustment to see all the picture.
These companys could care less about this until gamers start demanding better.
Shortly after the Xbox came out, I sent a letter to Xbox Microsoft Customer Support asking that all xbox games carry a logo of what resolution they are and if they support widescreen. Fortunetely most all now do carry the resolution on the packaging, but I have yet to see any that say they offer true widescreen support (and not just a stretched out 4:3 image).

Send an email- complain somehow- that's the only way we are going to get any results with these companies.
Every small step is still a step

willie

[Anthony1]

These consoles are expected to arrive in 2005 and 2006. And normally, you can expect a generation of consoles to last 5 or 6 years. So that basically means that from 2005 to 2011 or even 2012, we will be primarily playing XBOX 2's, PS3's and GameCube 2's. So it makes an awful lot of sense to take HDTV's into consideration for this period of time.

no no and no :o

first thing, generations only last 4-5 years nowadays, so that'll be 2009 to max 2011 until the next one arrives

second, HDTV is practically non-existent in europe yet, the first hdtv-tv-channel just started this year, and it'll take quite a while, i guess 2010 until it'll be accepted by most people, not to talk of what people actually have, there are still less 16:9 then 4:3 tv's here

sure, the next generation will (at least the NTSC consoles) have hdtv support , the question is if the developers will use it, it's quite a lot of work to include 4-5 video modes if not the whole world will profit of it

Sorry to burst your bubble, but anywhere other than Japan and the U.S. is an afterthought. Microsoft knows that if it is going to make major inroads in this marketplace, it will happen in the U.S. And in the U.S., HDTV and widescreen tv sales are exploding. Sony knows this very well too, since they are benfiting greatly from the explosion in HDTV and Plasma and LCD sales.

[tynstar]

The next gen better support all types of HD format and all types of sound. 16x9 would be great as well. I hope to be using this by then

http://www.marantz.com/p_product.cfm?id=2541&cont=u&line=dlp&cat=hf :D

[hydr0x]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but anywhere other than Japan and the U.S. is an afterthought. Microsoft knows that if it is going to make major inroads in this marketplace, it will happen in the U.S. And in the U.S., HDTV and widescreen tv sales are exploding. Sony knows this very well too, since they are benfiting greatly from the explosion in HDTV and Plasma and LCD sales.

sorry to burst YOUR bubble, but europe has a bigger market than the US, just to let you know...

[SoulBlazer]

I think what he was trying to say is that Americans have more money to spend on luxieries such as HDTV's that are still at LEAST a thousand dollars and we watch more TV then any other nation. LOL

[hu6800]

These consoles are expected to arrive in 2005 and 2006. And normally, you can expect a generation of consoles to last 5 or 6 years. So that basically means that from 2005 to 2011 or even 2012, we will be primarily playing XBOX 2's, PS3's and GameCube 2's. So it makes an awful lot of sense to take HDTV's into consideration for this period of time.

no no and no :o

first thing, generations only last 4-5 years nowadays, so that'll be 2009 to max 2011 until the next one arrives

second, HDTV is practically non-existent in europe yet, the first hdtv-tv-channel just started this year, and it'll take quite a while, i guess 2010 until it'll be accepted by most people, not to talk of what people actually have, there are still less 16:9 then 4:3 tv's here

sure, the next generation will (at least the NTSC consoles) have hdtv support , the question is if the developers will use it, it's quite a lot of work to include 4-5 video modes if not the whole world will profit of it


In other words,, this dude dont have HDTV hahaha.
Im so glad they put the superbowl on an HDTV cable channel, it looked so goddamn tight.

[omnedon]

I don't have HDTV either.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!

Gawd that's funny!!!!!

HAHAHAHAHA
I don't have HDTV! HAHAHAHA

:grumble:

[Sylentwulf]

sorry to burst YOUR bubble, but europe has a bigger market than the US, just to let you know...

Not to get involved in this discussion, but there is just no way in hell that europe has a bigger VG market than the U.S.

[hu6800]

I don't have HDTV either.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!

Gawd that's funny!!!!!

HAHAHAHAHA
I don't have HDTV! HAHAHAHA

:grumble:

Then why bother answering ??
Im laughing at you , because you are retarded
or representing brokeness.

[zmweasel]

N/A

[hydr0x]

sorry to burst YOUR bubble, but europe has a bigger market than the US, just to let you know...

Not to get involved in this discussion, but there is just no way in hell that europe has a bigger VG market than the U.S.

And it doesn't. For example, Sony's PS2 sell-in numbers at the beginning of '04:

Japan: 16.18 million units
North America: 29.26 million units
Europe/PAL territories: 24.56 million units

I'm not sure why hydr0x believes Europe is a bigger market, but two decades
of videogame sales figures beg to differ.

-- Z.

i never said it's a bigger vg market (or has higher sales), i just said it's a bigger market, it has more potential buyers, no matter for what, it's just not using it's potential yet...

[hu6800]

I figure ,, The TV plays a big role in videogaming..
And especially with the new HDTV cableboxes now
im enjoying my gaming and shows much more than i ever have with this
thing here..
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/hu6800/detail?.dir=/7836&.dnm=27d2.jpg

[LazingBlazers]

And I'm representing brokeness.

20" with rabbit ears. To quote the immortal Joey Styles,

"OH MY GOD!!!"

(joke pic)
http://www.geocities.com/lazingblazers/ohitrules.html