I have a simple question, why is it the XBOX supported resolutions up to 1080i but later versions of the PS2 did not? I know that the early versions of the PS2 couldn't but why not later revisions like the slim PS2?

I was playing Halo 2 on my XBOX at 720p and it looked awesome. Why couldn't Sony add this?

There are 3 times as many pixels at 1080i/720p than there are at 480p, and it will take 3 times as much processing power to complete any pixel-related operation at 1080i/720p than it will at 480p ...

same reason why Nintendo won't release the Wii HD unless it is a brand new system.

New games could take advantage of it, but would also have to contain a version that runs on the old systems. This would be extra cost to developers, and you would fracture your userbase.

Thanks for the answers. I just was curious.

Basically, the original Xbox was a metric asston more powerful than the PS2.

Hmmm, last time I checked the PS2 supported 1080i. After all, it was nothing more than a pixel-pushing machine. No fancy lighting, polygon, textures or shaders technology... but it sure had a massive amount of pixel fillrate.

Probably with the change to the Slim and the further miniaturization, they couldn't keep the HD-Out or something.

Because the xbox was a technical behemoth?

Actually, Grand Turismo 4 supported 1080i for the PS2. "The game looks stunning and with the 480p and 1080i modes for the lucky HDTV owners out there it gets even better."---IGN

Link:
http://ps2.ign.com/articles/589/589617p1.html


Remember, there was no reason for gamers to purchase HDTVs last gen, 99% of games supported 480p only.

The PS2 would do 1080i but very few titles supported it. GT4 was the best known title with 1080i support.

GT4 and Tourist Trophy (both by Polyphony Digital) are the only PS2 games to ever support 1080i...