So which outputs does Heavenly Sword support?

And CRTs can do progressive scan. Look at computer monitors.

I don't think they ever will, not with current hardware at least. Scaling requires some video memory (a second frame-buffer). They can do it for things that are not in full control of the PS3 hardware (PS1/PS2 games, DVD and Bluray movies), but not for PS3 games. Not unless the operating system reserves an extra 3-6MiB of VRAM for itself, outside of the games' control. Current games (like Heavenly Sword) complaining they can't do it themselves for lack of VRAM means those games already max it out, so there's no way a future firmware can go back and reserve more of it for itself without breaking those games.

At this point, their only options for 1080i support are: including a scaler in a future hardware revision like the 360 does (which solves the problem for all current and future games); mandating that future games support the resolution; or come up with some wild Voodoo (which I really don't think it's possible). None of these seem likely: newer hardware still doesn't have this; first party games still come out without 1080i; all of the things that could be updated in software already where (PS1/PS2 games, DVD and Bluray movies).

Honestly guys if the games any good it's not going to matter anyway. You want the game to run smooth and play well so if you have to sacrifice a little resolution then so be it. Relax!

Still, it's just one of those things that I appreciate about the 360 and loathe about the PS3. It would have cost Sony virtually nothing (a few dollars per console) to prevent this problem and they didn't. Pretty stupid if you ask me.

It's not devastating to me but it does irritate me a fair amount.

Thanks man.

Sony confirmed to be stupider then I first thought. How they can justify this is beyond me. They need to ensure that all their games support 1080i resolution.

The problem is that it is up to the developers (on a per game basis) to decide whether or not they want to support rendering in 960x1080-->upscaling to 1080i.

 Possible reasons why they might not want to is because the game is too taxing maybe?  I don't know.

Games in 1080i look horrible anyhow. If it ain't progressive scan then its just ugly to me. i rather play at 480p then 1080i. Rainbow Six backs up my claim. I play my game at 720p. 1080i is fine for movies but games not for me.

Isnt 1080i the same thing as 720p?

 Are you trying to funny or are you serious?