PS2 PS2HDMI - Internal mod(board) in the works!

[umart666]

ebay and major chinese selling sites.

 

[SkyNet]

I saw some on Ebay from China for 163 dollars. I am not sure what real price of OSSC should be--if those are clones or not.
Actually found one from Chi9na for 63 dollars. Maybe this one?
Actually its gone already--probably cheap price was a good motivation to disappear. Now the cheapest price I see is 163 dollars.

 

[Fedor Wearing A Fedora]

I saw some on Ebay from China for 163 dollars. I am not sure what real price of OSSC should be--if those are clones or not.
Actually found one from Chi9na for 63 dollars. Maybe this one?
Actually its gone already--probably cheap price was a good motivation to disappear. Now the cheapest price I see is 163 dollars.

dont go for the cheapest option, buy from a seller with good reviews and high sell count like this one

 

[TnA]

@SkyNet: Tapping the digital lines before the DACs does avoid the added 'noise' of the DACs and allows for some stuff to be done quite perfectly compared to external solutions.
The picture is still interlaced/interleaved, so the HDMI-Mod has an effective and fast de-interleacer.

You also mix it all up... Neither is all rendered on the GS, nor has the rendered resolution anything to do with this, because the output-resolution is usually different than the internal resolution! This here is dependent on the output-resolution!

 

[SkyNet]

Well I think that this HDMI-mod could bring PS2 back to life because nor composite, s-video or component or even RGB-Scart can output the same color reproduction and not even the best component shielded cable can deliver ghost-free picture(Analog Nature of video-signal after DAC)--comparable to Digital HDMI Signal.
Would be Interesting to see comparison of RGB-Scart and Component picture compared to HDMI one on PS2. I just wonder if Digital Noise would be present in HDMI version? I know that PS2toHDMI stick makes picture look like through component cable--but adds noise which makes me believe that to use component cable for PS2 is better than PS2toHDMI stick. But Again--PS2toHDMI stick is a very cheap device and is just regular convertor from component to hdmi. This mod is something very different.

I like this project, the only problem I see here is the price. IF price would be around 70 $--then maybe many people would get it. I understand that nobody will work for free, but at same time I see that in order to get the same income from this project to devs, they need cheaper price but bigger bulk to sell, in other words it should be global sale project, otherwise only real RetroGuys will willing to pay for it.

For comparison, there was very good project for Xbox360 called xkey360 which stood between xbox motherboard and dvd drive--but the idea did not go far because of the price. What is the point to buy 50 or 70$ xkey if you could buy clone of xecuter cheap for couple dollars?
So idea is very good but if price will be competitive--then it will be success.

 

[umart666]

i've set up my friend's ps2,he was using that adapter and it's garbage,internal scaling does much better job.noise isn't such big of an deal as crushed black levels that renders any darker scene and game useless.but again,most models for european markets still have SCART/RGB even if component isn't available,and he prefers 4:3 aspect ratio so basically all he really needs is good deinterlacing which his tv does fine (again,interlaced signal is something that was predominantly used in european regions so i suspect that most models for that regions feature at least optimized firmware for deinterlacing,if not in hardware).

i do think price is what is keeping original ps2 hardware back,even if you opt for slim model with network setup.you need additional cca 20 dollars for logitech action wireless controller (i did see chinese ds2 wireless copy and heard good things about it) and it's rare,and if you opt for self contained system you need either original hdd adapter which is pricey and rare and compatible IDE hdd or gamble with chinese SATA one...at that point most people opt for emulation or ps3,even emu on ps4 is getting better every day.

that being said i personally do look for having slim again,but just for collection sake and i'll use analog out...

 

[SkyNet]

New pictures of PS2HDMI Mod available--looks promising. I wish there would be updates on how well HDMI looks in games and in menu on PS2

 

[SkyNet]

Did anybody tried to use such device SG-VC9900 in order to send pure RGBS from PS2 to it and output through HDMI, looks like it should understand interlaced and progressive RGBs15k, 24k 31k signal(maybe even ypbpr)--so you could easily turn on progressive scan in games and not worry that picture will disappear because there are on market scartrgb to hdmi devices which understand only interlace rgbs.I think it shouls switch from interlace to progressive RGBS on the fly since it autoscans constantly input signal. Anyway does anyone has experience with it?

 

[SkyNet]

Found very good video how to enable RGB processing in ScartRGB to HDMI converters- all it needs just soldering 180 ohm resistor from 8th to 16th pin inside scart cable:

For folks who wants to make their own Scart RGB Cable is there very good link with diagrams for bunch of consoles:
http://members.optusnet.com.au/eviltim/gamescart/gamescart.htm

 

[TnA]

Well, on a PS2 the games are using varying frame-buffer-sizes,, so that won't make development of this board easier... :-/

models for european markets still have SCART/RGB even if component isn't available,

It's not the 90s... CRTs usually had no component, but SCART or RGB-SCART. Flatscreens had it both all along... (since ~2004)

and he prefers 4:3 aspect ratio so basically all he really needs is good deinterlacing which his tv does fine

What has one to do with the other?

On another note... External de-interlacing from an analog source can not achieve the same as blending or de-interlacing from digital source(s).

(again,interlaced signal is something that was predominantly used in european regions

Huh?
NTSC=Interlaced
PAL=Interlaced
SECAM=Interlaced

so i suspect that most models for that regions feature at least optimized firmware for deinterlacing,if not in hardware).

Why should they? It doesn't make a sense from a manufacturers point of view, because it is cheaper to just create one model for all markets, even if it would need additional hardware and it would make no sense to keep a software-improvement, if it would work on another model from the same manufacturer.

 

[umart666]

he doesn't need any line doubling,streching,only deinterlacing so basically only thing that converter would do that he needs is deinterlacing,and his TV does it fine already.so basically i've give him my component cable,did some minor image adjustment on the tv and he's good to go.

no,480p was mainly used in NTSC regions from late 90s untill switch to digital.here in europe the most comon mode was interlaced (576i) so my guess that manufacturers payed much more attention to deinterlacing in models for PAL regions as i've never really seen exceptionaly bad deinterlacing on model for european regions on digital tv.

edit: most bigger brands have to this day separate reginal models for various reason,from aesthetic ones (like sony prefers white color for japanese market and black for usa) to cost cutting ones (cheaper components in regions where due to low sales and/or high import taxes profit margin wasn't as big as in other regions)...

one of the better examples for regional randing,marketing etc was the story of oliver guitar pedals,roland back in the 80's wasn't been able to get their products on brazilian market as brazil had insane import tax for every electronic import,so they get a factory in the brazil itself and build the exact same same pedals they were selling in the other regions branded 'Boss' from the same components and just alter the chassis a litle and brand them as 'Oliver' and they were good to go...so,if anyone is interested in old japanese Boss pedals but don't want to shell huge ammount of cash as they today fetch a high price,try to find oliver version of the same pedal you've inerested in,it's electronicaly 100 percent the same,sounds indentical and in my opinion is way cooler as brazil electronics are much exotic to me.

 

[SkyNet]

At least some info on project:
I made it! Here @TooManyGames, hanging out at @citrus3000psi @ @chriz2600's booth #B18. They're showing off an HDMI PS2 and have some DCHDMI's for sale! Swing by and check it out!

 

[jcorrea]

I know about this:
https://mobile.twitter.com/chriz2600/status/1123295743991779331

Edit.:Sorry I think is the same thing @SkyNet posted before.

 

[Citrus3000psi]

Just read through this thread. A few updates about the PS2 board. A new board revision was just assembled. The clocks where redone so the SDRAM could also have a PLL to be able to adjust phase. The FPGA only has one dedicated PLL which was being used on the hdmi transmitter.

Currently both weave and bob deinterlacing is implemented. There will be a 3rd option with a motion adaptive algorithm. This will take some time as this is complex.

 

[SkyNet]

Citrus3000psi thank you and other devs for all the hard work you doing guys.
I think motion-deinterlacing going to be tough--TVs always produce bunch of artifacts, hope you can figure it out guys.

I have a question: I saw in fat PS2 Power conector was replaced with custom one--Is there anyway that in final product Original power connector in Fat PS2 could stay?
I really like this project, Sony failed in bringing HDMI to ps2, they could--because PS3 already been out and PS2 was supported till 2012 officially--but they Didn't, So the question is--did they even care?
And now community--people who considered hackers--restore justice back and make it the way it should be. Lets go back in History--HDMI appeared in 2002--so its been long time in existence--but sony did not add it to ps2.
Also Original XBOX which came almost at same time--had way better support for HDTVs, real--fill in all screen-16x9 and Progressive Scan, even latest dashboard in original xbox 5960 officially supported to display menu in 480p when press both triggers and analog sticks, Sony did not support progressive so well.

I am glad that this project started, to my opinion it is very important--it is like installing Video-Mod-Chip in to ps2. I think it is as significant as at some time were original modchips to run backups.

The main advantage is that you forever forget about using uncomfortable, interlace-only(Mostly) and very old analog video-connections like Composite, Svideo, Component and sometimes scart--so you forget about clutter those connection bring and switch to One-Cable-Digital-Only HDMI connection. Which is very much comfortable.
The only tough spots I see here are:
1. Price;
2. Difficulty to solder--everything is so little including DAC-pins--unless you have experience;

But main question is: Digital HDMI compared to Analog Component and to Analog ScartRGB---Does Digital Video Output improves Picture quality in PS2? I understand that tough work to deinterlace and to Upscale needs to be done first, but after it all done--does color reproduction, display area and other factors improve significantly?

I know how look NES games emulated on original xbox---very well--way better then on original NES--Upscale did a very good job, interestingly if Upscale on PS2 through HDMI makes games look way different?

Can PS2rd cheat codes through OPL to be used though HDMI-Video-Mod-Chip in order to extend ((FOV)Field of View) in games and have perfect 16x9 like it is done:
http://ps2wide.net/

I understand that many things also depend on Picture quality itself which SONY implemented in Games, so not only HDMI is final factor in picture quality of games, but still question stays open--does digital quality improves picture viewing experience at least somehow if not talk about just convenience to connect console to TV just with one HDMI Cable?

Another question: MicroHDMI. I understand why it was used--absence of space, but was it ever possible to use regular HDMI in order to use regular size HDMI Cables?

And final question: This HDMI board mod--can you choose in which color space it starts render--Digital Y Cb Cr or Digital RGB?

To my Opinion Digital RGB is better, yes Y Cb Cr has more brightness initially, but RGB is Full color space without compromises.

 

[TnA]

@SkyNet: I've just seen the RetroRGB-Guy on your last post. I am subbed to him as well!


@Citrus3000psi: Great work! Can't wait for the final version!

 

[Luisile]

i realy dont like that the hdmi on fat is located in the power supply location. What then? is it needed external power supply for ps2?
I dont like it. on the slim is ok.

 

[TnA]

Well... I have to agree, that I would prefer a version, which 'integrates' a bit more into the original 'view' of the console, like on the other consoles.
Just an additional Mini- or Micro-HDMI, next to the Multi-AV-Out...


@Citrus3000psi: I can't wait for a new test-video, regardless on which channel!

Could the RetroRGB-Guy test it already?

 

[Citrus3000psi]

I have a question: I saw in fat PS2 Power conector was replaced with custom one--Is there anyway that in final product Original power connector in Fat PS2 could stay?

No, there is zero room on the backside of the fat console. Just look at the pictures. Any open space has as screw boss right behind it. The slim was going to the be the only console support but after much push back I designed a fat version.

But main question is: Digital HDMI compared to Analog Component and to Analog ScartRGB---Does Digital Video Output improves Picture quality in PS2? I understand that tough work to deinterlace and to Upscale needs to be done first, but after it all done--does color reproduction, display area and other factors improve significantly?

Digital is of course better. There are many comparisons. Analog RGB into a PVM vs PS2HDMI into modern LCD. These types of comparisons are all going to be subjective. The goal of this project is bring a digital interface into the PS2 for modern displays. Feeding a direct upscaled digital signal will of course be significantly better then pushing a 480i/480p analog signal into the same display. Most modern tvs blur 480p and lower content significantly, as these resolutions are more treated as DVD/Video content.
Using component cables into a modern set will also display the aspect ratio incorrectly. The PS2HDMI corrects this.

Can PS2rd cheat codes through OPL to be used though HDMI-Video-Mod-Chip in order to extend ((FOV)Field of View) in games and have perfect 16x9 like it is done:

Yes these will work however these are just anamorphic widescreen. The TV is stretching the image. When the image is stretched by the tv pixel perfect accuracy is gone.

Another question: MicroHDMI. I understand why it was used--absence of space, but was it ever possible to use regular HDMI in order to use regular size HDMI Cables?

Space is the issue. What is wrong with cables like this? (I can't post links)
They are cheap and work just like a normal hdmi cable.

And final question: This HDMI board mod--can you choose in which color space it starts render--Digital Y Cb Cr or Digital RGB?

The PS2 GPU outputs digital RGB all the time. So it doesn't make any sense to convert to YCbCr on the HDMI output.

i realy dont like that the hdmi on fat is located in the power supply location. What then? is it needed external power supply for ps2?
I dont like it. on the slim is ok.

Yes on the fat it will require an external power brick. There is no space on the backside of the fat PS2. I'm actually surprised the external power supply on the PS2 is not "already a thing" The unit runs quite a bit cooler without the internal power supply.

Well... I have to agree, that I would prefer a version, which 'integrates' a bit more into the original 'view' of the console, like on the other consoles.
Just an additional Mini- or Micro-HDMI, next to the Multi-AV-Out...

Again there is zero space
With the internal power supply removed, the board could fit in the bottom of the case. But then the case needs to be cut.
It is possible to position the hdmi to the side but then the unit could not sit vertically.


Can some admin give me more permissions. Im not able to post images or links. I'm trying to give a link to mini hdmi cables on amazon. Also post an image of the backside of a fat ps2 showing why there is no room.

 

[SP_Deadeye]

Hi,

Very excited to hear about this. Signed up just to ask this question.

My PS2 slim is hard modded with a Matrix Infinity chip. Will it still be possible to use PS2HDMI?