16x9 TV friendly (1 Viewer)

[Martin Rendall]

I wasn't sure if this belonged here or in "Gaming Hardware", but here goes:
Which console (of XBox, Gamecube, and PS2) is the most 16x9 TV friendly? That is to say, which console has the most games which can be properly set to 16x9? Do any of the consoles have a "philosophy" of supporting 16x9?
If it's not clear cut, then perhaps you could post game titles which can be set to 16x9.
I'm thinking about acquiring one of these consoles, and it turns out that this was my most important issue.
Thanks in advance,
Martin.

 

[Camp]

and it turns out that this was my most important issue.

Another one.
I don't mean to sound self-righteous and I certainly don't want to offend but COME ON!! The "most important" issue in selecting a game console is widescreen support? What about the games? Does it matter if you even like them?

 

[Martin Rendall]

quote: Another one.
I don't mean to sound self-righteous and I certainly don't want to offend but COME ON!! The "most important" issue in selecting a game console is widescreen support? What about the games? Does it matter if you even like them?
[/quote]
Well, I expect that there will exist games on any of the three aforementioned consoles which I'd be happy to own. Therefore, other factors are more important.
If that's a sin, then flame away!
Not to mention that I'd rather throw my consumer support behind the kind of product which I want more of. That's what most HT-philes on this site do, regarding OAR and anamorphic issues.
Try again?
Martin.
[Edited last by Martin Rendall on September 27, 2001 at 09:42 PM]

 

[Dave F]

Widescreen support is a biggie for me too. An excellent game can fall a few notches without a widescreen option.
I don't know too much about the Gamecube scene (not my kind of games), but it will have 480p support. While it's not a widescreen option, 480p will certainly make games look spiffy on a HDTV. I would think that this bodes well for more widescreen options in the future.
XBOX will likely have the best support for widescreen. The console will support (*standard disclaimer: unless this has changed )480p, 720p, and 1080i for some games. In addition, a number of games (including Halo and Unreal:Championship will have widescreen options.
PS2 currently outputs only a 480i signal. A few games have widescreen options, such as SSX. There have been a number of threads on PS2 widescreen games, just run a search or display all topics for the past 30 days or so.
Madden and SSX: Tricky will likely have widescreen options on each platform.
-Dave
------------------
DVD List

 

[Morgan Jolley]

I suggest that you say that you plan to buy all the consoles but will buy the one that has widescreen support the most first. That way, no flames, and you still get what you want to know.
If you were a gamer, then widescreen wouldn't matter that much. If you are into HT stuff, then go with an XB.

 

[Dave F]

I disagree. Widescreen matters. Just as much as (if not more than) DPL II, frame rate, controller size, loading speed, size of the console, or any one of a number of similar topics that have been on HTF lately.
-Dave
------------------
DVD List

 

[Martin Rendall]

quote: If you were a gamer, then widescreen wouldn't matter that much.[/quote]
Whatever.
Dave F,
Thanks for the great feedback. What a quandry. XBox seems like the choice for me, but what if it dies, as some are predicting? I'm really not willing to buy more than one console in this generation (I guess I'm not a "gamer"

).
The 480p and 1080i support is very intriguing...
Martin.
[Edited last by Martin Rendall on September 29, 2001 at 03:03 PM]

 

[JoshF]

While 1080i, 480p, and widescreen support are all cool & the gang, I'm about the games.
Take a look at the upcoming release lists for the various consoles, and choose based on what sounds fun. Remember, video games are supposed to be FUN.

 

[Morgan Jolley]

This is a Home Theater Forum, so I assume that if widescreen matters, then you are into HT stuff. Which probably means you would rather have a HT demo than a fun game, which would mean you are not a gamer. Its your money, so buy what you want.
I agree that widescreen, controller size/design, console design/size, etc. are important issues, but none of them is so important that they would mean the difference between purchasing one console or another. For example, not buying an XB because its larger than the GCN or buying a XB because you don't like the GCN's color. When you get down to it, over 90% of your decision should be based on the games and how much you will enjoy them.

 

[BrianB]

none of them is so important that they would mean the difference between purchasing one console or another. For example, not buying an XB because its larger than the GCN or buying a XB because you don't like the GCN's color.

So why do you constantly argue about this, Morgan?? You're doing it in *right now* in the Hardware forum, arguing how the size of the GameCube matters!
------------------
Nothing In Particular

 

[Dave F]

Yeah, whatever.

The man asks a simple question, and it has to get perverted into some dumb tirade about what a person should value in a game. Hell, if someone asks what games have a predominately blue color scheme, answer the question or leave him alone. It's no one else's business telling him what he should be interested in or what he should value.
-Dave
------------------
DVD List

 

[Elbert Lee]

It is important for ME. I like light gun games and was disappointed that my DreamCast does not support HD-Ready RPTVs. I'm concerned that the PS2 will also not support it as well (I'm interested in the upcoming Time Crisis 2 that is also interfaced through a composite video out from the PS2 console).
I have my PS2 hooked up through component video and, unless I'm mistaken, SONY has marketed this DVD-based video game console as the "Future" of gaming, meaning that it supports DVD movies, component video connections, which means that many will be hooking it up to their WIDESCREEEN TVS. I'd hate to have to move consoles around to older television sets just to play certain games!
ELbert

 

[Morgan Jolley]

It may be important to some people, but its not important to me. Its just an added benefit.
You can buy a console for whatever reason you like, as can I.
I said in the Hardware forum that size in a non-issue, but because of the size of the XB being so big, it, for me, becomes an issue. I move my consoles from one room to another frequently, and the XB is so big that I won't move it just because I don't want to lug it down a flight of stairs and across two rooms just to play it on a better HT setup. If I really want to, I will anyway, but it bothers me how big it is compared to every other console in existance, especially the next-gen ones. Still, size will not affect my decision, since I plan on getting an XB anyway.
Widescreen may be important to you, but keep in mind that you will playing games in widescreen that might not necessarily be good games. You will be stuck with sour tasting eye candy.

 

[Dave F]

The point is, this was not intended to be a thread regarding the merits of games having a widescreen option. It was a simple question regarding what consoles have the best support of that option.
It it unfortunate that you apparently do not realize the difference, or feel compelled to ingore it. Regretfully, I took the bait and responded to the posts that were trolling for debate.
Martin, I hope you find the information you need somewhere. I would seem natural to find it in a Home Theater Forum, but I guess not.
-Dave
------------------
DVD List

 

[BrianB]

Which console (of XBox, Gamecube, and PS2) is the most 16x9 TV friendly? That is to say, which console has the most games which can be properly set to 16x9? Do any of the consoles have a "philosophy" of supporting 16x9?

All of the consoles claim to support widescreen, but it's really too early to tell how widespread support will be - we really need the consoles & software 'out in the wild' to see what publishers are actively supporting widescreen (and surround sound).
I know Microsoft are pushing widescreen output, I know a number of PS2 games support it too.
My suggestion? Wait & see, unless you *really* must have a new console this Christmas - in which case, by your spec, I think an XBox would probably be closest to what you want.
------------------
Nothing In Particular