Sloppy PAL conversions - a thing of the past?

[lostn]

Before I buy a next gen console, I'd like to know if HD resolutions for gaming are different for NTSC and PAL? I know 720p, 1080i, and 1080p are standard for HD, but will the games run in 60hz, full speed, full screen for PAL consoles running PAL games? Or are we still subject to crappy slow 50hz conversions?

In other words, is it safe to buy PAL games for PS3/X360? I won't stand for 50hz, and neither would any of you if you're on a site called 'ntsc uk'.

[Yoshimax]

360 there's not a problem - You set it to 60hz on the dashboard and everything then runs at that (some games HAVE to be run at 60hz i.e DOAXVB2).

Dunno about PS3 but I think if something's 720p it has to be 60hz ? could be wrong.

[sj33]

360 games are *required* support 60Hz, to maintain compatibilty with the VGA cable and XBox Live.
50Hz is actually optional, and more and more PAL games don't support 50Hz.

The Wii already has some 50Hz-only games though, unfortunately.

You certainly *can* have 720p and 1080i in 50Hz (SkyHD is an example), but I'd be suprised if Sony go that route. With the PS3 being region free though there's not much to worry about.

[lostn]

Ugh.. I don't trust Sony.

They will probably make it run 50hz on PAL machines without giving you a choice.

Isn't 50hz on X360 still required for people with standard definition old tellies? The ones from that cavemen used..

[Chadruharazzeb]

The 360 does have a 50hz mode if you really want to play on your gran's telly.

[sj33]

There is a 50Hz mode, but it's not mandatory, and less and less games are supporting it as publihers just release the same US discs, region free, over here.

[Link83]

The Wii already has some 50Hz-only games though, unfortunately.

Really? What games are they? I thought all Wii games supported 480p so must be 60hz, no?

[Link83]

Sorry double post :/

[Kongster]

Call of Duty 3 on the Wii is 50hz only.

[andrewfee]

Really? What games are they? I thought all Wii games supported 480p so must be 60hz, no?

Not all games do 480p (or widescreen even!) but the majority of the virtual console games are 50Hz only.

Avoid a PAL Wii at all costs imo. A PAL 360 is fine, but you might have to wait for some releases, and obviously it's PAL Xbox games for backwards compatability. Most Xbox games are 60Hz, but there's a few that were 50Hz only. (like Halo)

I'm sure a PAL PS3 will be fine for PS3 titles, especially as all games are region free, but you're going to be stuck with PAL PS1/PS2 games, and most of them are 50Hz. (I'm planning on buying a US machine because of this)

[sj33]

And for the record, even the US versions of Trauma Center: Second Opinion and Metal Slug Anthology do not support 480p.