Best Version of the Playstation?

[RGB0b]

I was hoping to get the expertise of this forum to answer a question I've had for awhile: Is there a version of the PS1 that outputs RGB video better then the rest? Is using a PS1 (or 'PSOne') even a good option, or do PS1 games look better when played through PS2 systems (via RGB or component)? There are so many different PS1 revisions, that I'd never be able to test each one...so I was looking to you all for help. As an FYI, I'm only interested in RGB output. I'm sure some versions output better composite or S-Video but I only care about the best output: RGB. I generally only play my systems through an RGB-monitor but I imagine this info would also apply to people using the X-RGB Mini or other upscalers.

I'm hoping there's an easy answer, like with Super Nintendo's (use the Mini modded for RGB) or Sega Saturn's (Model 1's usually look better). I couldn't find any info about video output quality anywhere, so I figured I'd go here.

Also, is audio quality better on some versions? That's definitely an issue that plagued the Genesis systems.

Thanks in advance for any help you can lend.

[Ed Oscuro]

Supposedly the SCPH-1000 units had the best CD sound quality and outputs but no idea if that really matters past some audiophiles looking for a cheap but good CD-ROM audio player.

The PlayStation 2 series allows you to set texture filtering modes for the PlayStation, which could be an advantage in many games. I just have it set to the original mode though.

Obviously the best PlayStation hardware is the arcade stuff. JAMMA interface for easy RGB Of course you're usually limited to just the game the hardware is built for...but Flame Gunner isn't too bad.

[RGB0b]

Thanks for responding!

Supposedly the SCPH-1000 units had the best CD sound quality and outputs but no idea if that really matters past some audiophiles looking for a cheap but good CD-ROM audio player.

Yeah I'd heard about that, yet never had a chance to test it myself. I heard that the only was to tell the difference between that and a standard mid-grade DC player was on extremely expensive audio hardware.

The PlayStation 2 series allows you to set texture filtering modes for the PlayStation, which could be an advantage in many games. I just have it set to the original mode though.

I'll be picking up a PS2 Slim this week and will test the filters. With other systems, I've found that turning the filters off is usually the best look (like with the GameCube's Game Boy Player).

Obviously the best PlayStation hardware is the arcade stuff. JAMMA interface for easy RGB Of course you're usually limited to just the game the hardware is built for...but Flame Gunner isn't too bad.

Yeah, I imagine the JAMMA stuff would be better. If I ever want to add a PS game to an arcade cabinet, that's the only route I'd choose. For this thread, I'd like to stick to the console versions though.

[Shou]

The best PS1 is the MPEG compatible unit I use a dev unit with an optical audio mod, works marvelously.

[BazookaBen]

Later PS1's didn't have the expansion port where you can plug in a dongle to play imports.

I actually had to plop down ten whole dollars to buy an older one when I realized my PS1 was too new to play Gradius Gaiden.

[ZellSF]

Unless someone here convinces me otherwise, I'm getting a SCPH-1001 when I'm getting a new PSX. Best audio quality and the expansion port you'll want for playing imports and hopefully eventually games from SD cards (PSIO).

How much is the TOC and anti-modchip things a problem for import gaming with those devices btw? I heard it won't work with TOC mismatches, which means CD audio games won't work properly? Or do I just need a US region disc with as many tracks as the import?

More questions... Do I need just the plug-in adapter? Do I need the disc that's sometimes included with it?

[BazookaBen]

How much is the TOC and anti-modchip things a problem for import gaming with those devices btw? I heard it won't work with TOC mismatches, which means CD audio games won't work properly? Or do I just need a US region disc with as many tracks as the import?

The TOC is something I haven't figured out yet. I got Dodonpachi on the cheap, then I bought Wipeout 3 because it had a lot of CD audio. But then DDP's music was out of order or not playing at all. I'm not sure why that happened, but I need to find another disc to try out. I heard some demo discs could, so I need to try that soon. Now... where to find demo discs.

Thing is, I ended up falling in love with the Wipeout series after I got Wipeout 3, so DDP has sat unplayed in my collection for the past couple years. Which is kinda crazy, but Wipeout is the SHIT!

More questions... Do I need just the plug-in adapter? Do I need the disc that's sometimes included with it?

For the four or so games I've played, only the adapter and a US region game are required.

[Shou]

Unless someone here convinces me otherwise, I'm getting a SCPH-1001 when I'm getting a new PSX. Best audio quality and the expansion port you'll want for playing imports and hopefully eventually games from SD cards (PSIO).

The best audio quality is with the optical audio mod.

[RGB0b]

This topic has actually gotten pretty in-depth at the Assembler forums if anyone is interested;

http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/sh ... laystation


The basic consensus is the same about audio: The older consoles have better analog audio, but modding a newer PS1 for optical will produce a slightly better sound.

Most people are saying RGB video output is the same on all consoles, but some are claiming a difference. I'm still in the process of getting a bunch of different version PS1's to test myself. Sadly, the first two I got didn't work, so I'm waiting for a bunch of friends to lend me theirs.

[RGB32E]

Did retroaccess become retrorgb?

[RGB0b]

Did retroaccess become retrorgb?

Nope, I'm completely different.

[slk486]

I'm completely different.

I'm not!

[ZellSF]

How much is the TOC and anti-modchip things a problem for import gaming with those devices btw? I heard it won't work with TOC mismatches, which means CD audio games won't work properly? Or do I just need a US region disc with as many tracks as the import?

The TOC is something I haven't figured out yet. I got Dodonpachi on the cheap, then I bought Wipeout 3 because it had a lot of CD audio. But then DDP's music was out of order or not playing at all. I'm not sure why that happened, but I need to find another disc to try out. I heard some demo discs could, so I need to try that soon. Now... where to find demo discs.

Thing is, I ended up falling in love with the Wipeout series after I got Wipeout 3, so DDP has sat unplayed in my collection for the past couple years. Which is kinda crazy, but Wipeout is the SHIT!

There's a Wipeout thread in off-topic.

I just ordered a SCPH-1001, Wipeout XL and a game enchancer. My PSX collection now has three games (Gradius Gaiden and Wipeout 3 SE too). Plus lots of PSN-PSX games.

I'm reading that a PSX won't read CDDA from CDRs, but have anyone gotten a game enhancer to properly play CDDA from import games?

[Fudoh]

I'm reading that a PSX won't read CDDA from CDRs

that's certainly wrong. I had my import PS1 in late 1994 and used the usual swap methods for playing imports (PAL+US) and CDRs for certainly 2+ years before I got my first modchip. I don't know how far the game enhancer swap method differs from the classic one, but I never had any problems getting CDDA tracks to properly work on imports and burned discs.

[ZellSF]

That's nice to know, so I can experiment with CDR-s to make sure games work before importing them (and no, I would never pirate PSX games, CDR-s are more wear on the laser).

I'll probably have a game enhancer and a PSX in two weeks or so and can post what I figure out then

Also, at the point I ordered that stuff I apparently already had exceeded my gaming budget for this month by a lot

[shmuppyLove]

That's nice to know, so I can experiment with CDR-s to make sure games work before importing them (and no, I would never pirate PSX games, CDR-s are more wear on the laser).

You know, when I bought my PS1, I had a mod chip installed before I even got it home and pretty much only ever played backups from CDRs for many years, and never once had an issue with the laser. I still have that unit, and it still works.

And until I sold my PS2 last year, it was basically the same story, although I did later on have a hard drive that I played from a lot.

I've heard of people having issues and having to tweak a tiny POT somewhere, but can't say I've ever had problems.

[Ed Oscuro]

About CD-Rs, it may be that people writing them on cheap media and/or at high speeds, making discs that are harder to read, may have made many contemporary copy discs harder for the PS at the time to read. Writing with a slower speed could help here.