Alternative to Xploder HighDef Player?

[PJS111]

Is there an alternative to the Xploder HDTV player for the pS2? I know that they say that it's the only one but maybe that statements outdated?

[Fatman222]

Yes, there is a homebrew / freeware Projekt:

http://psx-scene.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61808 (GS Mode Selector: Development & Feedback)

[PJS111]

Thanks thats really good news.

They say they're still in the early beta testing stage. So does it still work well?

[dlanor]

Thanks thats really good news.

They say they're still in the early beta testing stage. So does it still work well?

For some cases yes, but for some other cases no.

It depends on exactly what it is you want the program to do, and what equipment you have for doing it with. Individual games differ greatly in how they respond to the enforced video modes of GSM, and different hardware and connection methods also have a strong influence.

Recommended hardware for best results is a good HDTV set connected to the PS2 by a high-quality Component cable (like the one from Sony).

Hardware impossible to get good HDTV results with include both composite and S-Video cables, and most HDTV sets will not accept the new HDTV video modes over SCART connector either. So these connection methods will only allow GSM to switch between PAL and NTSC, since that is all those connection standards were designed to handle. So Component cable is the only connection method recommended, as all HDTV units will recognize this input as valid for HDTV video modes.

Most games can be forced to run in some HDTV mode by GSM, though some will fail to work with the progressive modes, and will then require some interlaced mode (such as HDTV 1080i), while some others will have sound problems if run at the wrong sync rate, because their sound driver handles sound timing based on the screen timing. Such games need to be run with a matching video sync rate (like 480p for NTSC games, or 576p for PAL games).

With some games it may even be impossible to use any HDTV modes to good effect, but even then you can use GSM as a switch between PAL and NTSC video modes, for out-of-region games.

Best regards: dlanor