The non-PAL folk discovered last week that God of War II was hiding an "HD" version of the game. This was Sony stretching the truth just a bit because even they said, "This is NOT 720p. Its actually 480p with FULL SIZE buffers, in other words 640*448 resolution." Well, this didn't stop the Europeans from getting a bit upset that they weren't getting the same "HD" code, despite their televisions already running in a higher version than this supposed "HD" with a whopping 576i -- um, that's more HD than the non-PAL GoW II "HD" already -- what's the problem, what's going on?

This situation needed a glorious explanation by Sony Europe, which basically boiled down to them saying, "It should also be noted that when playing the game on a PS3 via a component of HDMI lead, it runs in true 576p and not just an upscaled version of 576i. The Enhanced Definition (ED) output is forced from the PS2 graphics chip which is why a lot of PS2 games -- not just GoW II -- will look a lot better. By contrast, if you boot up the US GoW II on an NTSC PS3 and switch Progressive Scan mode on, there will be no difference as the emulator is pushing the 480p mode regardless. What this basically means is that the PAL PS3 is giving the best PS2 visuals you will be able to get anywhere!"

So, in conclusion, the European God of War II is already more HD than the non-PAL "HD." Hey, wait, we should be the ones pissed! Somebody get Sony on the phone -- we demand more HD from our "HD." We want 576p!

Ever since two of the major console manufacturers picked sides in the high-definition movie disc war, gamers everywhere have taken an unnatural interest in the home video market. High-Def Digest has unearthed some new, detailed data on this battle from a recently leaked Sony report (PDF ZIP link).

As of March 18, the cumulative sales numbers show Blu-ray (844,000 total units) holding a slight edge over HD-DVD (708,600 units) in the United States. These overall numbers are less interesting than the historical trend, though -- HD-DVD sales were strong through the end of 2006 but have fallen well below rising Blu-ray sales in 2007. Could the slow growth in PS3-equipped homes finally be having some effects on the movie market?

Worldwide dominance for Sony's new format isn't settled yet, though. Next Gen reports that a growing number of independent studios in Europe have decided to back HD-DVD to the exclusion of Blu-Ray. So if you like European art house flicks, the choice is clear.

Read - Sony Report Reveals First Look at Absolute Blu-ray and HD DVD Disc Sales Figures
Read - HD-DVD Winning the European Race

It's an old-fashioned PS3 versus 360 graphics showdown in today's video pick, with GameTrailers running a side-by-side comparison of Armored Core 4. Which version of this mech title looks best? Judge for yourself after the break, or visit the HD version -- it doesn't embed like the SD file -- on the GameTrailers site. Let the scrutiny begin!

Image from CSG_Starfury's account of life-sized BattleMech project.

Some PlayStation 3 users who play on Westinghouse 1080p screens might have noticed a blinking problem when loading up their games, wherein no sound comes up and the screen's imagery blinks off and on. Popular Mechanics has been following the story and trying to deduce the culprit of this problem.

The blinking phenomenon stems from High-Bandwidth Digital Copy Protection, or HDCP, a form of DRM for signals that run through HDMI cables. Initially, Westinghouse VP of Marketing Rey Roque explained that the issue was firmware within some of their television sets but has now retracted that assertion, placing the blinking blame on the PlayStation 3 itself. Roque notes, "Westinghouse products are fully compliant with the HDMI and HDCP specs."

Westinghouse and Sony reportedly met yesterday to discuss the issue, but Popular Mechanics went ahead and offered a quick-and-dirty fix to the problem: simply unplug HDMI cable, wait a few seconds, and plug it back in. Video of the phenomenon and its quick fix is embedded after the break.

[Via /.]

Speaking with Major Nelson, Microsoft group product manager Aaron Greenberg speculated that a version of Xbox 360 specialized for IPTV and DVR activity was certainly possible. Greenberg admitted that "[Microsoft] did not build [Xbox 360] to be a high-definition DVR," suggesting an IPTV upgrade (i.e. larger hard drive) and IPTV-specific console "configuration" were both possible solutions to the inherent dilemma. Greenberg did note that a larger hard drive would only be necessary for DVR functionality -- IPTV could function with or without a hard drive.

While this is hardly confirmation that a new version of Xbox 360 is inbound, Greenberg's statements may indicate that Microsoft is closing in on a strategy for 360 v2; one that won't upset early adopters (at least, not as much). Marketing v2 as an IPTV/DVR device (PSX, anyone?) might be enough of a diversion to excuse the original Xbox 360's lack of substantial hard drive space and HDMI output. If that is to be the case, it will be imperative that all of the v2 components are available for the original console, including a free IPTV software installation (with purchase of contract, of course).

If you have a 1080i-capable television (that would be many older HD sets), you may be dismayed to learn that 720p PS3 titles will not upscale to fit the resolution. Instead, 720p titles will always be downsized to 480i or 480p. IGN confirmed this after testing four games -- Resistance: Fall of Man, NHL 2K7, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07, and Need for Speed Carbon -- on a 1080i set that did not support 720p; all scaled down to 480p.

Take it as you will, whether you prefer 1080i or 480p. Microsoft's Xbox 360 currently upscales 720p to 1080i if necessary (i.e. 720p is not supported).

[Thanks, Kumar Shah and Miniboss]

[Update 1: Doing a little more research after reading many of the comments, turns out we might have been too generous in saying that most older HDTVs support 720p. We took out that sentence; just be sure to know what you set does and does not support. Also, rephrased the 480p vs. 1080i. I just tested the difference. Yeah, a bit different.]

On November 22, the anniversary of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft will be offering high-definition television shows and movies for download. The offerings span a large demographic, from CBS and Nascar to Adult Swim and MTV (yes, "Pimp My Ride" will be included). Movies include, Nacho Libre, Superman Returns, and the original Jackass: The Movie. The TV shows will be download to own, while the movies will only be rentals.

The move is impressive, though we can't help but worry about the disk space -- our tiny 20 GB HDD is not going to hold that much. The press release talks a lot about downloading, but what about streaming? Can we watch part of the program while we download it? And, most important of all, how much will these cost? We'll kidnap our trusted sources and let you know what we get out of them. You can view the current list of upcoming titles here.

Microsoft is bringing HD-quality movies to the 360 without requiring the purchase of the external HD DVD drive. Will Sony follow suit or keep all HD cinema / television bound for Blu-ray?

[Thanks to every single person who sent this in!]

Much like looking both ways before crossing the road, remembering to read the fine print is a valuable life skill that will inevitably save your existence at one point or another. Some even consider HD resolution to be a matter of life and death, especially when the money spent on a 1080p television could have been used to purchase New Zealand instead. When Microsoft announced earlier this week that an update would automagically enable 1080p resolution ("true" or "full" HD if you believe in such things) for the Xbox 360, they neglected to mention any specifics regarding component output and that pesky issue of copyright.

A Microsoft insider (with handle "amirm") provides some clarity on the AVS forums, explaining what types of content are allowed over a component connection. If you insist on watching your HD-DVDs at full resolution, it appears you'll have to invest in a VGA cable (and not an HDMI cable).

If your 360 is hooked up via component cables:

• Xbox 360 games can be upscaled to 1080p. Titles that run in 1080p natively (none of which currently exist) will also display without a problem.
• HD-DVDs will display at 1080i maximum -- you can thank AACS for that.
• Normal DVDs will play at 480p. CSS prevents anything higher (though some upscaling DVD players conveniently ignore it).

If your 360 is hooked up via VGA cable:

• HD-DVDs, Upscaled DVDs and games can all display at 1080p with no copyright hassles.

If your 360 is hooked up via RF Adapter:

• You have bigger problems.
  

[Via Engadget HD]

A newly discovered Gamestop and EB Games listing reveals an Xbox 360 HDMI cable, a rather ponderous product considering the fact that the console does not have the necessary port to accomodate such a miraculous transmissive device. Is it an expensive adapter that automagically goes from the bulky 360 AV connector to an HDMI output? Feel free to entertain such a possibility, so long as you remember that Microsoft wants nothing to do with it. After constantly pestering them for a comment, they informed us that the product was not one of theirs and that "Microsoft has not announced any additional support beyond component video for HD output. MS is watching the market closely and they will continue to evaluate any options in the face of consumer demand."

Unless the face of consumer demand becomes crumpled in a furious frown regarding the lack of HDMI support, don't expect this retail listing (and they're usually so reliable!) to signify a change in Microsoft's strategy. Back in July, when handed the rumor of a new Xbox 360 equipped with an HDMI port, Microsoft promptly tossed it away and insisted that "you don't need HDMI for HD gaming." We fully expect the HDMI rumorang to return again sometime in the future -- catch it here when it does.

[Via Digg, Xbox Evolved. Thanks Jayman16]

See also: High-end PS3 shipping without HDMI cable

It simply wouldn't be a normal weekend if a drenched rumor didn't wash up on the internet's binary beach, gasping for air and haphazardly telling you about anonymous sources and secretly snapped pictures. Still picking seaweed out of its hair, the latest washout professes to know all about another forthcoming Xbox 360 SDK SKU, one featuring a newfangled HDMI port. The picture on the right is meant to be confirmation, an Xbox 360 motherboard stripped naked and bearing the port that's considered by many to be the standard for true HD content. Note the positioning of the ports in relation to the heatsink in the background. Is it upside-down, and if so, why did the ethernet and USB ports switch places?

It's not that we don't trust things that have just recently been tossed out of the ocean, but signs point to this rumor in particular having been in a tussle with a remarkably violent manatee. In other, less ridiculously analogous words, previous comments from Microsoft don't quite support it. Just last month, Microsoft rubbished claims of an Xbox 360 with built-in HD-DVD drive and before that, they remarked that "you don't need HDMI for HD gaming."

With a seperate HD-DVD drive and the format's Image Constraint Token supposedly delayed until 2010, reasons for an HDMI-capable Xbox 360 (instead of first-party converter cable) become quite nebulous, at least if Microsoft doesn't plan on annoying early adopters of its spinning system. We've contacted Microsoft and, barring the usual "we don't comment on rumors or speculation" reply, we'll be sure to let you know whether or not you can believe some things spurned from the sea.

[Via Engadget, thanks to everyone who sent this in.]

See also:

• Xbox to feature HDMI high definition standard after all?
• Toshiba man hints at internal HD-DVD 360