PlayStation-Fi - Page 14 - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

Audio-Fi · 04-09-2008, 11:10 PM

Originally Posted by analogbox

I think I have read somewhere Sony saying that software emulation on 40G will never happen; not even through update. Although you can take that with a grain of salt, I think it's got something to do with the new 65nm cpu have because they were saying that it just doesn't have enough power to emulate PS2's cpu and PS3's GPU at the same time.

Now, that they've already discontinued the hardware-compatible models completely and implemented new low-power-hungry chip, I'd be surprised to see if they continue to support backward compatibility.

I'm not saying that it's a good thing, it just looks to be the trend Sony is going at. I was wrong about the whole format war so I could be wrong here too.

It does not need to emulate PS3 GPU as it already have nVidia RSX (GPU). Also shrinking the die from 90nm to 65nm doesn't mean lowering the technical specs, it's just physically shrinking it to lower production cost, reliability, and power consumption. Even if the PS3 does not have any hardware from it's predecessor it will still work via software emulation regardless. Sony is just not activating it on 40GB. The Cell Broadband Engine alone is enough to emulate PS2. I don't know what you are reading but you are really misinformed. It's already mentioned that Sony might sell CD installation for 40GB to have software emulation because the PSN store has upcoming PS2 downloadable games.

analogbox · 04-09-2008, 11:27 PM

Originally Posted by Audio-Fi

It does not need to emulate PS3 GPU as it already have nVidia RSX (GPU). Also shrinking the die from 90nm to 65nm doesn't mean lowering the technical specs, it's just physically shrinking it to lower production cost, reliability, and power consumption. Even if the PS3 does not have any hardware from it's predecessor it will still work via software emulation regardless. Sony is just not activating it on 40GB. The Cell Broadband Engine alone is enough to emulate PS2. I don't know what you are reading but you are really misinformed. It's already mentioned that Sony might sell CD installation for 40GB to have software emulation because the PSN store has upcoming PS2 downloadable games.

I don't know where'd you get your information but like I said PS2 games have totally different architecture so for them to run they need a dedicated chip to read it's architecture and process it. The only other way of doing it is to emulate it through software using the all new hardware.

If PS3 GPU can process different architecture games, you wouldn't even need to emulate it and they would have no problem running any games from XBOX 360, Wii, Nintendo DS, etc..

GPU's themselves doesn't have capabilities to run emulators, they just take the informations from the bus and process it.

Now, I maybe have been misinformed about Sony's take on backward compatibility as I don't work for them. I, myself, want it to be wrong cuz I have a few PS2 games that I want to go back to and enjoy.

Zanth · 04-10-2008, 02:09 AM

You are essentially right. The PS3 basically had the PS2 processor built in along side the new cpu/gpu combo. Then, with this being too costly, Sony decided to scrap the PS2 chip and run emulation software using the PS3's crazy powerful cpu. However, the compatibility, though impressive was not perfect and many preferred the essnetially 100% backwards compatible emotion engine chip in the first gen 20 and 60 GB units.

Now the new 40 GB doesn't even have the emulation software and from rumors...may never get it. Though this is easily provided through a firmware upgrade so saying never isn't necessarily never. Also, with improvements in the code, there is no reason to think that the emulation software can't get to near 100% or 100% in time. Of course the 60 GB can run that and still has the chip...so one can understand why the 60 GB units are so sought after.

They have all the extra ports and wifi as compared to the 20 GB model and they have the hardware based ps2 capability that the 80 GB lacks.

LORD-eX-Bu · 04-10-2008, 02:51 AM

just look at the way ps1 games are emulated on windows based PCs... heck even PS2 games run pretty good now

thats emulating whatever ps2 processor there was and converting it over to x86 instructions in real time... not to mention emulating ps2 graphics with D3D or OpenGL.. its pretty awesome stuff when you think about it.

I'm sure Sony could pull it off without a problem on the 40gb model, maybe their strategy is just to get people who already own a 40gb to buy another system later on with full BC.

Kirosia · 04-10-2008, 02:59 AM

I've heard the 60GB isn't 100%, there are some games that have issues.

Anyways, if you just wanna play backups/isos, just get a PS2 with either swap magic or a mod chip. The PS3 may never get hacked, and even if did, PS2 backups may not be playable.

When will FFXIII out?

I hope it's nothing like XII.

Zanth · 04-10-2008, 06:07 AM

Originally Posted by LORD-eX-Bu

just look at the way ps1 games are emulated on windows based PCs... heck even PS2 games run pretty good now

thats emulating whatever ps2 processor there was and converting it over to x86 instructions in real time... not to mention emulating ps2 graphics with D3D or OpenGL.. its pretty awesome stuff when you think about it.

I'm sure Sony could pull it off without a problem on the 40gb model, maybe their strategy is just to get people who already own a 40gb to buy another system later on with full BC.

Oh no doubt it can. The 40 GB unit has to perform as well as the others right? Else it would not sell. Sooo...there is no real reason they could not load the emulation software in the future with a firmware update. Will they? Another matter altogether, it is Sony afterall

TSi · 04-10-2008, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by Zanth

Oh no doubt it can. The 40 GB unit has to perform as well as the others right? Else it would not sell. Sooo...there is no real reason they could not load the emulation software in the future with a firmware update. Will they? Another matter altogether, it is Sony afterall

the 40gb are for people who cant afford a full luxury one (with more hdd space, with more usb slots, with a real chrome trim).

Zanth · 04-10-2008, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by TSi

the 40gb are for people who cant afford a full luxury one (with more hdd space, with more usb slots, with a real chrome trim).

Oh very true, not unlike the original 20 GB unit without all the extra slots and wifi. Now then, any model must be able to play PS3 games else it won't sell, so given that regardless of the die size, the power of the cell-processor will easily run any PS2 game emulated. This "castrated" 40GB unit then could be without the software at present but a quick loading of the software and voila! Instant backwards compatibility!

I think the 40GB is the best deal in all of the console market at this point, mainly because of its media server/blu-ray application.

LORD-eX-Bu · 04-10-2008, 08:58 PM

the only reason I didn't get the 80gb model was because Circuit City and BB were only selling 40gb units. I just used the money I saved to get some games and movies, I wasn't about to wait till june to pick up some mythical bundle that may or may not be backwards compatible.

dj_mocok · 04-11-2008, 05:23 PM

Just a quick question, say if the PS3 is connected to TV via HDMI cable, if I plug the optical out from PS3 to Optical In of my amp, will the sound come out from the amp, and will it decrease the video quality because there are 2 connections running at the same time?

This is very stupid question I know, but I know nothing about HDMI connection.