PS2 Black screen and "no signal" message when playing PS1 games on POPStarter

I have a un-modded super-slim ps3 so I can't answer you about it.

Regarding POPS and OPL, always check with wich version the test have been made on the compatibility chart and from what device. Launching the game from different OPL/POPS version/device could give you different results.

Actually it's good if you always test games by yourself, even using the same version/device for a confirmation. Some times there can be other things influencing the outcome even using same program version and device (i.e. some settings when playing via SMB from PC or the HDD speed when playing from internal HDD, also the network adaptor/sata board used. All this things can affect compatibility).

OPL from Ps2 home has a built-in VCD launcher, Wle kHn also.
In my experience it's all the same once in game, you can find different behavior at boot though. I remember that when using a precise patch (don't remember which) for some IGR problems i was having, OPL-DB couldn't boot games, whereas Wle kHn could.

However as I said, if you haven't boot problems, games should work the same with either launch method (and also the ELF method that you can use for booting POPS games from FMCB or official OPL listing them as apps).

I have Rebug 4.84.2 REX installed on my PS3 Slim.

I have to use the latest beta POPStarter version or I'll have the black screen and "no signal" message problems when running each new game. I don't know if there are any compatibility lists which show this version as working with some games but I have no other choice but to use it. What's wLE kHn? I only know about wLE. I thought some games could be more compatible if running POPStarter from wLE or from OPL.

Since I only use POPStarter via OPL, do I still need the POPS ELF and the POPStarter folder on the MC? I don't have wLE kHn, but I tried running POPStarter from wLE and I had an error. When you talk about booting POPStarter games from FMCB, are you talking about wLE kHn's POPStarter? Could you explain yourself better when you mention OPL's apps?
 
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I have to use the latest beta POPS version or I'll have the black screen and "no signal" message problems when running each new game. I don't know if they're any compatibility lists which show this version as working with some games but I have no other choice but to use it. What's wLE kHn? I only know about wLE. I thought some games could be more compatible if running POPS from wLE or from OPL.

Since I only use POPS via OPL, do I still need the POPS ELF and the POPS folder on the MC? I don't have wLE kHn, but I tried running POPS from wlE and I had an error. When you talk about booting POPS games from FMCB are you talking about wLE kHn POPS? Could you explain yourself better when you mention OPL's apps?

I mentioned the classic ELF method (i.e. from USB, making a XX.name of the game.ELF file renaming the POPStarter.elf. This way you can launch a game from any Wle version, Ps2 OSDSYS through fmcb or listing it as a app in any OPL version. However you need to rename a POPStarter.elf file for each game, and you have to redo everything when upgrading POPStarter version).

OPL-DB and Wle kHn have the ability to directly launch VCDs. So you just need to have the POPStarte.ELF into the POPS folder. When upgrading you only have to replace the POPStarte.ELF.
 
I mentioned the classic ELF method (i.e. from USB, making a XX.name of the game.ELF file renaming the POPStarter.elf. This way you can launch a game from any Wle version, Ps2 OSDSYS through fmcb or listing it as a app in any OPL version. However you need to rename a POPStarter.elf file for each game, and you have to redo everything when upgrading POPStarter version).

OPL-DB and Wle kHn have the ability to directly launch VCDs. So you just need to have the POPStarte.ELF into the POPS folder. When upgrading you only have to replace the POPStarte.ELF.

I guess I should keep using OPL's POPStarter. In this case and since I'm using SMB, do I only need the POPStarter.elf to be inside the POPS folder on the PS2SMB folder and don't need the POPStarter folder on the root of the MC or do I still need both?
 
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I guess I should keep using OPL's POPStarter. In this case and since I'm using SMB, do I only need the POPStarter.elf to be inside the POPS folder on the PS2SMB folder and don't need the POPStarter folder on the root of the MC or do I still need both?

You never need the POPS folder into the MC. You need it on the device you're playing POPS from:

USB: POPS folder in the device's root
SMB: POPS folder in the shared folder/device
HDD: POPS folder into the __common partition

You can keep using OPL-DB and/or Wle kHn (it's just Wlaunchelf with all the functions, plus it has the ability to boot VCDs) for launching VCDs.
 
You never need the POPS folder into the MC. You need it on the device you're playing POPS from:

USB: POPS folder in the device's root
SMB: POPS folder in the shared folder/device
HDD: POPS folder into the __common partition

Which POPStarter folder, the one called "POPSTARTER" (which I placed in the MC's root) or the one called "POPS" (which I placed in the shared folder's root)? I followed these instructions. Do I need both of these folders?
 
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Which POPS folder, the one called "POPSTARTER" (which I placed in the MC's root) or the one called "POPS" (which I placed in the shared folder's root)? I followed these instructions. Do I need both of these folders?

Sorry for the confusion (I actually never used POPS from SMB). You obviously cannot delete that folder from the MC, it contains the SMB configuration.
 
Anyway, a lot of games don't show up on OPL's and POPStarter's lists and on PS3's PS1/2/PSP Emulator Compatibility Lists so should I not even try to see if these games work or they may work?

Don't forget that these lists are unofficial and it is very difficult to test and index every game that was made on the planet, across all regions. Just play your games.

What's the difference between OPL's POPStarter and the standalone POPStarter?
OPL is Open PS2 Loader, a PlayStation 2 game loader. At some point, somebody worked on a feature to "add" PS game support. By integrating the UI with krHACKen's POPStarter.
However, it just uses POPStarter to boot PS games. In that case, it's not OPL running your PS games.

Please note that the real emulator is called POPS. The tool we use to run and enhance POPS, is POPStarter.
POPS is also present on the PSP and the PS3. The PS2 version which we have, was originally meant for booting a handful of titles. Given that the PSBBN (the predecessor to the PSN) had the game available around 2003, this POPS for the PS2 is older.

Which is more compatible, OPL or PS3's PS2 Emulator Compatibility Lists and OPL's POPStarter, standalone POPStarter or PS3's PS1 Emulator Compatibility Lists?
If you're asking a question about game compatibility, the question should be about the emulator itself, instead of the compatibility list. I would say that the POPS on the PSP and PS3 were made for more titles.
 
Don't forget that these lists are unofficial and it is very difficult to test and index every game that was made on the planet, across all regions.

In fact. It'd be necessary to spend a huge amount of time finishing the games for a 100% reliable test. Most times if you can perfectly play a game for the first 1/2 hour/s the game will work fine, most times but not every time.
i.e. Koudelka is given as working in POPS-Ps2-Home compatibility chart, but it actually freezes the emulator in a screen transition on a room at about half the first disc.

Also King's Field (the very first only-japan one) has random freezings when saving the game. You can do a whole playthrough without the issue to happen, or you can experience it once every two saves, it's random.
 
Don't forget that these lists are unofficial and it is very difficult to test and index every game that was made on the planet, across all regions. Just play your games.


OPL is Open PS2 Loader, a PlayStation 2 game loader. At some point, somebody worked on a feature to "add" PS game support. By integrating the UI with krHACKen's POPStarter.
However, it just uses POPStarter to boot PS games. In that case, it's not OPL running your PS games.

Please note that the real emulator is called POPS. The tool we use to run and enhance POPS, is POPStarter.
POPS is also present on the PSP and the PS3. The PS2 version which we have, was originally meant for booting a handful of titles. Given that the PSBBN (the predecessor to the PSN) had the game available around 2003, this POPS for the PS2 is older.


If you're asking a question about game compatibility, the question should be about the emulator itself, instead of the compatibility list. I would say that the POPS on the PSP and PS3 were made for more titles.

Even if they're unnofficial I guess I'll believe them because I don't want to test every reportedly troubled single game I want to play so maybe it's a question about the compatibility lists instead of the emulators.

So, should I use the PS3 to play PS1 games and OPL to play PS2 games on the PS2? It looks like there's a lot of games with problems on the latter, unfortunately. Maybe some of these were released as PS2 Classics and if so I'd be able to play them on the PS3 with no problem (and for the troubled PS1 ISOs, I could try the PS one Classics, if they have them).

Is it possible to improve the resolution on PS one Classics/PS1 ISOs on the PS3 and do OPL and other PS2 homebrew tools (maybe POPStarter?) run on the PS3?

What's the difference between playing a PS2 ISO or a PS2 Classic (of the same game) on the PS3? I guess I could run the latter from XMB unlike the former but I wouldn't be able to run any of them from an external HDD (at least in IRISMAN, the file manager I'm using). What's the difference between playing a PS one Classic or a PS1 ISO (of the same game) on the PS3?

Is it possible to improve the resolution on PS1/PS2 Classics/PS1 ISOs/PS2 ISOs on the PS3?

So, basically POPStarter (and I guess all 3 of the PS3's "PS1 emulators") aren't actually emulators but tools used to launch the real emulator which is POPS?

In fact. It'd be necessary to spend a huge amount of time finishing the games for a 100% reliable test. Most times if you can perfectly play a game for the first 1/2 hour/s the game will work fine, most times but not every time.
i.e. Koudelka is given as working in POPS-Ps2-Home compatibility chart, but it actually freezes the emulator in a screen transition on a room at about half the first disc.

Also King's Field (the very first only-japan one) has random freezings when saving the game. You can do a whole playthrough without the issue to happen, or you can experience it once every two saves, it's random.

Even if the compatibility lists aren't 100% trustworthy or may be outdated, I guess I'll believe them because like I said I don't want to test every reportedly troubled single game I want to play.

Even so, I think there should be a lot more games. For how long is possible to play PS1/PS2 games on OPL/POPStarter and on the PS3 via a file manager?

EDIT: Can anyone tell me what are OPL apps (maybe POPStarter is one of them?) and what are POPStarter's "trojans"? Should I use LaunchELF, uLaunchELF, wLaunchELFor uLaunch ELF, uLE_kHN or wLE_kHN? What's the difference between CUE2POPS and PSXVCD?

EDIT 2: I just tested the latest POPStarter Beta 06 r13 WIP 07 (ran via OPL) and I didn't have the black screen problem when playing new games. I used the "$HDTVFIX" command. It's weird the Beta version doesn't have this issue but the latest public release does. Does anyone know if these beta versions have less game compatibility than the stable ones or have problems the other don't? Also, do I really have to use the "$SAFEMODE" command before (or at all) all the other commands? I used the "$480p" command and POPStarter said "unrecognized format" or something like that but it still loaded the game, although with a distorted sound and image and I didn't notice a difference in the resolution. What happens if I use a local CHEATS.txt file and a global one? I guess the former will overwrite the latter.
 
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EDIT: Can anyone tell me what are OPL apps (maybe POPStarter is one of them?) and what are POPStarter's "trojans"? Should I use LaunchELF, uLaunchELF, wLaunchELFor uLaunch ELF, uLE_kHN or wLE_kHN? What's the difference between CUE2POPS and PSXVCD?

I meant you can list ELF (any elf on any position) to OPL apps page: https://www.ps2-home.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=120

Ulaunchelf is named Wlaunchelf since a while, so you will be using Wlaunchelf unless you want to use very old versions. Same thing with Wle kHn. Normal Wle can only boot ELFs, Wle kHn can also boot VCDs.

CUE2POPS simply convert a cue+bin (single bin file) image to VCD (POPS2CUE do the opposite).
PSXVCD has also much other functions, but I never used it so I really don't know. I think it have something for assemble multi track games to one single bin, maybe convert ape files, ECM, etc... So to do all things with a single program.
 
I meant you can list ELF (any elf on any position) to OPL apps page: https://www.ps2-home.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=120

Ulaunchelf is named Wlaunchelf since a while, so you will be using Wlaunchelf unless you want to use very old versions. Same thing with Wle kHn. Normal Wle can only boot ELFs, Wle kHn can also boot VCDs.

CUE2POPS simply convert a cue+bin (single bin file) image to VCD (POPS2CUE do the opposite).
PSXVCD has also much other functions, but I never used it so I really don't know. I think it have something for assemble multi track games to one single bin, maybe convert ape files, ECM, etc... So to do all things with a single program.

Could you give me examples of OPL apps? I saw in a picture on that link GSM, Argon (whatever that is), Simple Media System and uLaunchELF but all of those (maybe except the second) may be run from OSDSYS so they aren't unique OPL app?

I've been doing those processes with separate programs and afterwards I've been using PSXVCD so I don't need to do all of this if only using the latter? I've read CUE2POPS may have problems so I decided to use PSXVCD.
 
Could you give me examples of OPL apps? I saw in a picture on that link GSM, Argon (whatever that is), Simple Media System and uLaunchELF but all of those (maybe except the second) may be run from OSDSYS so they aren't unique OPL app?

There isn't any specific opl app. OPL has a so called Apps page on which you can list any elf you want. As you guessed it works exactly as FMCB OSDSYS.
i.e. I have FMCB set for booting directly into OPL (I use the remember last game played + auto-launch function, so to have a perfect immediacy like having the disc inside the console. Also OPL-IGR path is set to OPL).
So I have all programs (Launchelf, FMCB_configurator, SMS, MCLoader, CogSwap, PS2ESDL, etc...) listed on OPL Apps page.

I've been doing those processes with separate programs and afterwards I've been using PSXVCD so I don't need to do all of this if only using the latter? I've read CUE2POPS may have problems so I decided to use PSXVCD.

AfaIk PSXVCD is a all-in-one, it should do all you need for converting any kind of Ps1 image to VCD. I downloaded it time ago... I'm too used to ISOBuster, GEMC, Monkey's Audio and all the classic converting programs but I should try it next time :)
 
There isn't any specific opl app. OPL has a so called Apps page on which you can list any elf you want. As you guessed it works exactly as FMCB OSDSYS.
i.e. I have FMCB set for booting directly into OPL (I use the remember last game played + auto-launch function, so to have a perfect immediacy like having the disc inside the console. Also OPL-IGR path is set to OPL).
So I have all programs (Launchelf, FMCB_configurator, SMS, MCLoader, CogSwap, PS2ESDL, etc...) listed on OPL Apps page.



AfaIk PSXVCD is a all-in-one, it should do all you need for converting any kind of Ps1 image to VCD. I downloaded it time ago... I'm too used to ISOBuster, GEMC, Monkey's Audio and all the classic converting programs but I should try it next time :)

I downloaded FMCB Noobie Package V4 (Extended+) and it reads burned discs as soon as I turn the PS2 on (I think it's related to ESR and the PS2 also reads them automatically if I insert them while on OSDSYS) and when using OPL's IGR it resets to OSDSYS. What are MCLoader, CogSwap and PS2ESDL?

EDIT: Why is wLaunchELF on the Boot folder and why is it called boot.elf? Some homebrew come with more than just a elf file (or even more than 1 elf file). Should I extract all their content to the Apps folder (except wLE) or just their "main" elf file (which may be hard to know which one is it since it may have more than 1 "main" one)?
 
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and when using OPL's IGR it resets to OSDSYS.

Yes, it is so by default, but you can set OPL IGR path to any path you want (on MCs at least, I don't remember if it works on other devices). Same thing about Ps2 boot. You can set the autolaunch to any path you want from FMCB_Configurator.

What are MCLoader, CogSwap and PS2ESDL?

McLoader: it have some functions I don't even remember. I used it only for bypass the copy protection for correctly see DVD video when connected with a SCART-RGB (otherwise they're showed in shades of green).

CogSwap: is similar to swap magic, I putted it on MC for playing some NTSC games from the original disc.

PS2ESDL: is a USB/i-link game's launcher made by @sp193 I used it before even knowing about OPL. Version 0.821 has a great compatibility ratio. I never found a not compatible game (playing from USB).

EDIT: Why is wLaunchELF on the Boot folder and why is it called boot.elf? Some homebrew come with more than just a elf file (or even more than 1 elf file). Should I extract all their content to the Apps folder (except wLE) or just their "main" elf file (which may be hard to know which one is it since it may have more than 1 "main" one)?

Which program you have that's made with more than one ELF??

You can call Wle any way you want and place it where you prefere (accordingly adjusting the configuration paths). Btw some programs search for Wle in that precise position and name. i.e. GSM has the path fro exiting to BOOT/BOOT.ELF, also SMS and so on.

Personally I renamed BOOT.ELF (Wle) to ULE.ELF (also adjusting the path name) and OPL to BOOT.ELF. As I said I use OPL as "main dashboard". For example POPStarter IGR to BOOT/BOOT.ELF, so even IGResetting from PS1 games sends me back to OPL (and not to Wle).
 
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Yes, it is so by default, but you can set OPL IGR path to any path you want (on MCs at least, I don't remember if it works on other devices). Same thing about Ps2 boot. You can set the autolaunch to any path you want from FMCB_Configurator.



McLoader: it have some functions I don't even remember. I used it only for bypass the copy protection for correctly see DVD video when connected with a SCART-RGB (otherwise they're showed in shades of green).

CogSwap: is similar to swap magic, I putted it on MC for playing some NTSC games from the original disc.

PS2ESDL: is a USB/i-link game's launcher made by @sp193 I used it before even knowing about OPL. Version 0.821 has a great compatibility ratio. I never found a not compatible game (playing from USB).



Which program you have that's made with some than one ELF??

You can call Wle any way you want and place it where you prefere (accordingly adjusting the configuration paths). Btw some programs search for Wle in that precise position and name. i.e. GSM has the path fro exiting to BOOT/BOOT.ELF, also SMS and so on.

Personally I renamed BOOT.ELF (Wle) to ULE.ELF (also adjusting the path name) and OPL to BOOT.ELF. As I said I use OPL as "main dashboard". For example POPStarter IGR to BOOT/BOOT.ELF, so even IGResetting from PS1 games sends me back to OPL (and not to Wle).

What's swap magic and is PS2ESDL more compatible than OPL, and if so, does it play games via USB and do them stutter (especially on FMVs)?

Then why do some apps search for wLE on the BOOT/BOOT.ELF path?

ESR (I think it's called direct) has 3 different versions and each one has more than one ELF, IIRC. OPL comes with more than just one ELF file (even if they are non-ELF files and IIRC it also comes with a folder).
 
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PS2ESDL more compatible than OPL, and if so, does it play games via USB and do them stutter (especially on FMVs)?

It was the original project which I debuted with in 2011. It was in development since 2008, back before OPL was publicly known.
The better features were incorporated into OPL since OPL v0.9.3.

The present IOP reboot mechanism was developed with PS2ESDL v0.822-823, but was never perfected for PS2ESDL.
Similarly, the present streaming mechanism in OPL was originally developed within PS2ESDL, but was not part of any public release.
So I would say that v0.822-823 are flawed, but I had no intention to make new releases.

Since OPL is more popular and is similar, I decided to not continue the development of my project.

There's no way to make USB 1.1 to be as fast as the CD/DVD drive, except for magic. So don't hold your breath.

OPL comes with more than just one ELF file (even if they are non-ELF files and IIRC it alsi comes with a folder).

I don't know what you've been having, but OPL itself is a single ELF. Not sure about now, but up to v0.9.3, the important file has always been OPNPS2LD.ELF.
 
It was the original project which I debuted with in 2011. It was in development since 2008, back before OPL was publicly known.
The better features were incorporated into OPL since OPL v0.9.3.

The present IOP reboot mechanism was developed with PS2ESDL v0.822-823, but was never perfected for PS2ESDL.
Similarly, the present streaming mechanism in OPL was originally developed within PS2ESDL, but was not part of any public release.
So I would say that v0.822-823 are flawed, but I had no intention to make new releases.

Since OPL is more popular and is similar, I decided to not continue the development of my project.

There's no way to make USB 1.1 to be as fast as the CD/DVD drive, except for magic. So don't hold your breath.



I don't know what you've been having, but OPL itself is a single ELF. Not sure about now, but up to v0.9.3, the important file has always been OPNPS2LD.ELF.

Maybe I made a confusion with POPStarter or other homebrew but there really is homebrew that comes with more files than the proper ELF, like non-ELF (snd even other ELF ones) files and even a folder. Some even have more than a ELF. This is confusing for users which are new to this homebrew scene like me since I don't know if I should only extract what I think is the proper homebrew or also all other files and folders that come with certain homebrew, not to mention some homebrew have a lot of versions and the beta/daily build/ifcaro (like you can see, there's a lot of post-stable homebrew apps) ones (and OPL also has versions that come with certain features or not) may have less problems than the latest "stable" ones which for some reason in certain cases are not updated for years, as well as some older previous being more compatible with certain games than more recent ones or having to use certain "modes" or even combination of them when playing PS1 games on POPStarter or PS2 games on OPL (and some don't even run fine even after doing this), some games don't run fine on certain "devices" (which can be HD, SMB or USB), for some reason wLE is in the "Boot" folder (and not in the "Apps" one like the other homebrew) and is called "Boot.elf", POPStarter has an elf file that may be on the shared SMB folder and must have a folder called POPSTARTER on the MC to work (the other homebrew don't require these 2 steps, I think), the PS2 has problems with the PS2 to HDMI Converter I have, GSM settings mess up the screen often and OPL is able to run apps that may be run without it. This is very complex for me since there's too much information. There are many concepts (some aren't PS2-only) like FMCB, FDVDB, Fortuna, modchips, swap magic, ESR, OPL, POPStarter, GSM, Simple Media System, LE/uLE/wLE/uLE kHN/wLE kHN, IGR, HD Loader, OSDSYS, PAL/NTSC, 50 Hz/60Hz modes, FTP, SMB, etc.
 
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What's swap magic?

It is used for disc swapping. It was the first way for being able to play backup discs without a modchip (since Ps1). You have to block the tray sensors on Ps1/Ps2 slim (on FAT Ps2 instead you have to remove the tray front cover and make a special hook with a plastic card).
Search it on YT if you want a clearer idea ;)

ESR (I think it's called direct) has 3 different versions and each one has more than one ELF, IIRC. OPL comes with more than just one ELF file (even if they are non-ELF files and IIRC it also comes with a folder).

Every elf is a different version of the program. So when listing them as OPL-Apps or on OSDSYS you always have to make a separate entry for each program version you want to use.
 
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Maybe I made a confusion with POPStarter or other homebrew but there really is homebrew that comes with more files than the proper ELF, like non-ELF (snd even other ELF ones) files and even a folder. Some even have more than a ELF. This is confusing for users which are new to this homebrew scene like me since I don't know if I should only extract what I think is the proper homebrew or also all other files and folders that come with certain homebrew, not to mention some homebrew have a lot of versions and the beta/daily build/ifcaro (like you can see, there's a lot of post-stable homebrew apps) ones (and OPL also has versions that come with certain features or not) may have less problems than the latest "stable" ones which for some reason in certain cases are not updated for years, as well as some older previous being more compatible with certain games than more recent ones or having to use certain "modes" or even combination of them when playing PS1 games on POPStarter or PS2 games on OPL (and some don't even run fine even after doing this), some games don't run fine on certain "devices" (which can be HD, SMB or USB), for some reason wLE is in the "Boot" folder (and not in the "Apps" one like the other homebrew) and is called "Boot.elf", POPStarter has an elf file that may be on the shared SMB folder and must have a folder called POPSTARTER on the MC to work (the other homebrew don't require these 2 steps, I think), the PS2 has problems with the PS2 to HDMI Converter I have, GSM settings mess up the screen often and OPL is able to run apps that may be run without it. This is very complex for me since there's too much information. There are many concepts (some aren't PS2-only) like FMCB, FDVDB, Fortuna, modchips, swap magic, ESR, OPL, POPStarter, GSM, Simple Media System, LE/uLE/wLE/uLE kHN/wLE kHN, IGR, HD Loader, OSDSYS, PAL/NTSC, 50 Hz/60Hz modes, FTP, SMB, etc.

You want to know everything in a once, I think you should slowdown a little. Just start actually playing the games and if you find a problem ask here.

Reading all informations togheter you couldn't remember everything, is normal. You'll learn everything in some time by directly practicing.

Just care about a specific program/function when you actually need it.

About GSM. Keep in mind that Ps2 is a console from 2000. It is made with analog connections/TVs in mind. Developers done their best with GSM but obviously it have issues. You should remedy a good 4:3 CRT Tv (possibly with a SCART input) for the best yield without any need of progressive mode.

Anyway, if you don't have problems at 480p, you're good, I think going higher doesn't make a noticeable difference (it is so even with official feature, like in GT4. 1080i is the same as 480p on LCD. They're both 10 times better than 480i).

To be honest, I never noticed any upgrade using GSM, it makes textures worse. When playing on a 16:9 tv I just enable 16:9 cheat on OPL and play games at their officially available resolutions.
But again, Ps2 gives its very best on a 4:3 CRT Tv with a good SCART-RGB cable. It was made for that.
 

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