Happy Hew Year,
I'm setting up a new HT system. When I added my son's PS2 to a new Onkyo 706 AV receiver via the attached composite cable, the picture really looked really crummy on my Samsung A650 LCD. The only other connection option is an optical out, which I assume is for audio.

Advice? Best options for setup? Should a PS2 look crisp on my TV?

Thanks in advance.

-- Rob

P.S. I know the best solution to my problem would be a PS3, but this is not happening today! :)

Im not sure but only certain games on Ps2 have a 720 resolution at most. If I rember correctly GOW has a 720 res but u have to use in game settings to push the 720 and u need component cables .

the optical is for digital sound. hook it into your receiver to get dolby prologic out of ps2 games that offer it & i think it may pass DD5.1 on dvds as well.

best bet for picture quality is to buy a ps2 component cable. available in stores or online at monoprice. the picture will be alot better than with the composites.

Happy Hew Year,
I'm setting up a new HT system. When I added my son's PS2 to a new Onkyo 706 AV receiver via the attached composite cable, the picture really looked really crummy on my Samsung A650 LCD. The only other connection option is an optical out, which I assume is for audio.

Advice? Best options for setup? Should a PS2 look crisp on my TV?

Thanks in advance.

-- Rob

P.S. I know the best solution to my problem would be a PS3, but this is not happening today! :)


a ps3 should fix your problem :D


but seriously the only thing i can think is to get a component cable for your ps2. but not sure how much crsisper you can get it.

i noticed a considerable difference in picture quality when switching up to component (especially in newer games like god of war 2 & resident evil 4 that offered progressive scan).

Thanks to all who have replied so quickly. I didn't realize there is a component cable available for PS2. I appreciate the help.

-- Rob

i noticed a considerable difference in picture quality when switching up to component (especially in newer games like god of war 2 & resident evil 4 that offered progressive scan).

A component cable will definitely cure most of you woes, I used one on my PS2 for the longest time before the PS3 came out.

i think the ps2 component cable is also compatible with the ps3 if you eventually upgrade to a ps3 & dont use an hdmi.

i think the ps2 component cable is also compatible with the ps3 if you eventually upgrade to a ps3 & dont use an hdmi.

I can confirm it is, my HDTV at the time was only component anolog.

before hooking the new component cable up make sure you go into the settings in the ps2 browser & set it to output at Y Pb Pr.

Yeah on an HDTV there is a very noticeable difference between even S-Video and Component with the PS2 let alone the difference from Composite.

sorry for the noob question, but sometimes, like for the ps2, i think that plasma is better for it than LCD. am i wrong on this or maybe i'm just not properly adjusting my ps2 settings? thanks.

i think thats dependant on the brand quality & specs of the tv & other varying factors. i've heard plasma has blacker blacks, but also runs the small risk of burn in with static images. i'm very happy with the picture quality of my sony xbr3 lcd display for gaming purposes, but there are many who people love their plasmas. its all a matter of what you like.

sorry for the noob question, but sometimes, like for the ps2, i think that plasma is better for it than LCD. am i wrong on this or maybe i'm just not properly adjusting my ps2 settings? thanks.

My general understanding is that Plasmas handle SD better than LCD. Although that is just a general rule and probably varies depending on the exact set.

Burn-in isn't really a problem anymore with plasma displays. For older plasmas, yes, it is a very big concern, but not for newer tvs. Still, I wouldn't let a static image stay on the screen for longer than it needs to.

Happy Hew Year,
I'm setting up a new HT system. When I added my son's PS2 to a new Onkyo 706 AV receiver via the attached composite cable, the picture really looked really crummy on my Samsung A650 LCD. The only other connection option is an optical out, which I assume is for audio.

Advice? Best options for setup? Should a PS2 look crisp on my TV?

Thanks in advance.

-- Rob

P.S. I know the best solution to my problem would be a PS3, but this is not happening today! :)


Here's what you need at a really good price, I think I will be getting one of these as well.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10830&cs_id=1083003&p_id=4009&seq=1&format=2

I wouldn't have high expectations, though the component cables will help.

Don't ever ever every use composite if you can help it. Fortunately with the PS2, you can use component cables and connect it to your onkyo. I have the onkyo 606 and that's what I've done...makes a huge difference. Furthermore, the onkyo will upconvert the input to make it just a tweak better. I bought my component video adapter on ebay for $5. Just go to ebay and do a search for "ps2 component cable".

Don't ever ever every use composite if you can help it. Fortunately with the PS2, you can use component cables and connect it to your onkyo. I have the onkyo 606 and that's what I've done...makes a huge difference. Furthermore, the onkyo will upconvert the input to make it just a tweak better. I bought my component video adapter on ebay for $5. Just go to ebay and do a search for "ps2 component cable".

Maybe you should buy with confidence and get a new the cable from Monoprice.com

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10830&cs_id=1083003&p_id=4009&seq=1&format=2

Component cables make it look amazing, not PS3 amazing, but pretty good...