PS2 RGsB Setup

[FinalBaton]

PS2 outputs RGsB if and only if the game is 480p or greater. A relatively microscopic slice of its library.

Huh, microscopic?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_P ... play_modes <---sort by 480p

180 out of 2500 is a pretty slim percentage in my book

[NormalFish]

I run more or less everything I've played for months in RGsB using homebrew. FMCB/FHDB is so easy these days that RGsB certainly has ample utility on the system.

[FinalBaton]

I run more or less everything I've played for months in RGsB using homebrew. FMCB/FHDB is so easy these days that RGsB certainly has ample utility on the system.

I was speaking of native 480p support, of course. And how disapointing it was on the machine.

How many additional games can be booted in 480p via software? I'm curious. Is there an official list somewhere?

[BazookaBen]

There's a database somewhere in this forum, unsure if people are still contributing to it or not:

http://psx-scene.com/forums/official-gs ... tor-forum/

[bobrocks95]

Most of the games I tried with GSM either cut off some resolution, or didn't work in progressive. Even PCSX2 just de-interlaces instead of forcing progressive scan- I think the PS2 could be called the only primarily 480i console.

[FinalBaton]

Most of the games I tried with GSM either cut off some resolution, or didn't work in progressive. Even PCSX2 just de-interlaces instead of forcing progressive scan- I think the PS2 could be called the only primarily 480i console.

yeah it's really too bad.

I have the ultimate setup to rock all PS2 modes on a great CRT, too : my Extron switcher passes on RGsB, and my NEC XM37 Plus accepts RGsB (automatically switches between it and RGBs. No switch to flip to change between the modes)! And of course displays both 240p and 480p natively.

God damn how I wish the majority of PS2 games would display in 480p

[BazookaBen]

Well, many Konami games run great in 480p, like Gradius V and Contra. Other games, like Odin Sphere, appear squished at first but will look fine if your monitor has enough headroom on the horizontal stretch (my monitor doesn't unfortunately)

[FinalBaton]

Other games, like Odin Sphere, appear squished at first but will look fine if your monitor has enough headroom on the horizontal stretch (my monitor doesn't unfortunately)

What do you mean by that? that the game appears too narrow but if you have some more room to tweak the horizontal size on your CRT then you can give it back a normal width?

I would actually be into trying that if I didn't already have the remake for Odin Sphere (which plays better, is high res and widescreen).

I'd be interested in trying Initial D : Special Stage in 480p though. Do you know if that one is patched yet, by any chance?
Might also want to look into Ys : the Ark of Napishtim

[NormalFish]

I think the PC port of Ys might be the way to go for that game. IIRC, the PS2 version has some issues.

[FinalBaton]

I think the PC port of Ys might be the way to go for that game. IIRC, the PS2 version has some issues.

The best version IMO is the PS2 port.


Exclusive features for the PS2 port, that the PC version lacks :

- 3D models for characters and monsters (PC has pre-rendered sprites and to me they look goofy).
- the Alma Trials sidequests (those are entirely absent on the PC version).
- full voice acting, on all dialogues(although I personally don't care much for it. but it can be turned off)
- Adol looks different denpending on which armor and shield he has equipped

In the not-so-good points for the PS2 version :

- 480i output and a lower raster resolution than the PC version
- 4:3 AR

On the points that should be problematic for PS2 but can actually be negated :

- Americanised Intro cutscene is terrible but you can replace it with the original japanese intro with a code

Good points for PC version :

- Looks better (resolution-wise)
- 16:9 AR
- Wing of Alma allows you to warp to any save point (Steam version only).


I have no idea if the number of poly and the resolution of texture mapping are higher on backgrounds in the PC version, or not.





Overall, I say the PS2 version wins. You get extra side-quests and better looking character models.
But there are a decent amount of people online who seem to prefer the PC version. Which I can understand, since it does have some things going for it after all.

[BazookaBen]

What do you mean by that? that the game appears too narrow but if you have some more room to tweak the horizontal size on your CRT then you can give it back a normal width?

Yeah. On my PC CRT, if I extend the width to 100, it's still quite a ways from the edge of my screen. So then I'd have to reduce vertical size to get the correct aspect ratio and play it windowboxed. Off the top of my head, Katamari Damacy, Odin Shpere, and Okami are too narrow in 480p

Do you know if that one is patched yet, by any chance?

I've never applied any resolution patches to my games, I just use GS Mode Selector to change the resolution before I launch them. Nowadays I try to use 1280x1024, because I found that is actually just rendering 1280x960 with tiny black bars on top and bottom, which you can adjust out of sight on a CRT. It gives a crisp line-doubled image, free of the scan lines you get with 480p.

[FinalBaton]

I've never applied any resolution patches to my games, I just use GS Mode Selector to change the resolution before I launch them. Nowadays I try to use 1280x1024, because I found that is actually just rendering 1280x960 with tiny black bars on top and bottom, which you can adjust out of sight on a CRT. It gives a crisp line-doubled image, free of the scan lines you get with 480p.

Yes I wanted to say "launch via GSM to get a better res". I don't really know how that works so I don't use the right vocab when it comes to those means of launching PS2 games.

I'll look other threads for infos on how to use GMS and if it's not to complicated for my über-lazy ass I might try it on a few games.

[BazookaBen]

Yes I wanted to say "launch via GSM to get a better res". I don't really know how that works so I don't use the right vocab when it comes to those means of launching PS2 games.

I'll look other threads for infos on how to use GMS and if it's not to complicated for my über-lazy ass I might try it on a few games.

Well if you don't have Free MC Boot, then you do have a little work ahead of you. Some reading especially.

[Xer Xian]

HD Loading via FMCB became a necessity for me once I discovered (in this same forum) that you can not only force 480p but 240p too. Only a small selection of games is supported, but still, it's a game changer imho.

[FinalBaton]

HD Loading via FMCB became a necessity for me once I discovered (in this same forum) that you can not only force 480p but 240p too. Only a small selection of games is supported, but still, it's a game changer imho.

I'm curious, what games were you able to get to run well in 240p or 480p?

[BazookaBen]

I found that any game you can force to 480p, you can also force to 240p.

But it in some situations 240p doesn't really help. Like Capcom Classic Collection will let you launch it in 240p, but all the games are scaled and you can't get a 1:1 pixel ratio.

On the other hand, Mushihimesama looks great with forced 240p.

[NormalFish]

Metal Slug Anthology is my go-to for demonstrating the power of 240p on the PS2. Goes from being pretty hideous in 480i to completely pixel perfect in 240p. Still not an exceptional port due to input lag, but eye candy for sure. 480i shmups are the other obvious one, as has been said.

[Mantis128]

When playing in RGsB does it automatically switch back to RGBs when playing a 240P or 480i game?

[RGB0b]

When playing in RGsB does it automatically switch back to RGBs when playing a 240P or 480i game?

Yes.

[Mantis128]

Perfect. I want to take advantage of 480P on the PS2 when I can, but I also don't want to buy a component cable just for a handful of games.

[FinalBaton]

So... is there a list somwhere of games that display nicely with forced 240p or 480p in GS Mode Selector?

And if not : can we start compiling a list right here?

[BazookaBen]

So... is there a list somwhere of games that display nicely with forced 240p or 480p in GS Mode Selector?

And if not : can we start compiling a list right here?

This is the only list I'm aware of, it's on the first page of that thread on psx-scene forums I linked to earlier.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... n_US#gid=0

Not sure how often people add to it. Decent list though.

[FinalBaton]

This is the only list I'm aware of, it's on the first page of that thread on psx-scene forums I linked to earlier.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... n_US#gid=0

Not sure how often people add to it. Decent list though.

Thanks! I didn't find the list first time you quoted that forum.

What do the numbers refer to, in the beginning of the Notes column (0.36., 0.23d, etc)

And also, do you have a recommendation for a "GSM for dummies" type of post somewhere on the web? I have no idea how to how to use this, including Free McBoot, so I'd appreciate having the info explain all in one post/page and explained in basic terms

[BazookaBen]

.23d, .36b, etc, are the different versions of GSM. I think .36 is like a simplified version, I use .23 because it has more options like autoloading profiles.

I learned everything from that thread and just messing with the program. I recommend experimenting on your own to see what works best for you and your display.

If your have a CRT monitor than supports high frequencies, I recommend 1280x1024 (which actually 1280x960) for 480p games.

[Xer Xian]

And also, do you have a recommendation for a "GSM for dummies" type of post somewhere on the web?

This is as close as it gets

As BazookaBen hinted, the psx-scene forum is the reference for GSM stuff, but here's another tutorial:
http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 33#p322333

[strygo]

Has anyone contemplated building a PS2 cable that simply separates and strips sync from RGsB and always outputs RGBS? Retro Access has a Dreamcast cable that embeds the RGBHV to RGBS combiner circuit in the cable itself, so I'm wondering if a similar approach could be used for this system. Dan has a PS2 csync mod, and I know the gscartsw can perform this operation, but having it embedded within a cable itself seems simpler, less invasive, and better encapsulated.

I've struggled with lossless transcoding of the few YPbPr systems in my setup, so I've been exploring RGBS again for them. In the case of the GC and Wii, the GCHD and WiiDual can provide RGBS. I'm exploring VGA out from an Xbox and it seems promising. This leaves the PS2.