Practical, Functional & Ideal
Written: Dec 14 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Hard-wearing; Well designed; fine sockets and AV output quality; Limitless appeal
Cons: Slightly expensive; Could include Component sockets
The Bottom Line: Combines the video outputs that the PS2 supports, and allows multi-monitor connections
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| MichaelHatton's Full Review: Sony Audio Video Adapter |
This adapter came out in an alternative guise as a package with Time Crisis for PlayStation, it was used on the new generation of the console that didn’t have Composite video output. As a bonus you also got Stereo outputs too. This PS2 adapter is much the same, all but the additional S-Video output socket on the opposite side to the array of RCA sockets, which include stereo audio input and video output. You may be asking what are the advantages of this over standard cables, and the answer is simple. With the AV adapter you can chose your cable, you can use regular S-Video or Phono cables to connect to a TV or receiver.
For an average price of £12.99 ($18) UK the adapter comes in around the same as the official cables. You do have to buy extra cables, but this adapter gives you the bonus of being able to use cables that you probably already own. Another bonus is that you can buy higher-grade cables for the adaptor. Comparatively speaking, the S-Video output option is the best option, unless you use Component, for DVDs and Games. As you will probably know, PlayStation 2’s restrict Scart output when playing DVD’s as a form of Macrovision – Copyright protection. S-Video can’t be used to connect to a VCR (unless its an SVHS unit) so you don’t get a green screen when watching movies.
Of course the adaptor also allows you to connect regular PS2 cables to the end of it. This lets you connect the console up to – at least – 3 monitors at once and without a loss of output and it’s because each signal comes direct from the console and not duplicated. It also – in theory allows an additional video and audio output through the standard PS2 AV output. Another revision of the adapter over the old one is that it has gold connections, to improve contact conductance and prevent oxidation with copper. What would have been a real treat is that they included a component array of sockets, which could also improve video purity. Still, you can buy the component cables and stick it on the end.
You may be wondering why you’d use two monitors? If you play a lot of multiplayer games, then there’s always a bonus if you’ve got your own TV to view it on! However use of multiple Adaptors is not recommended – since the power draw would not help the video clarity. The main use of this adaptor is to be able to use any video output while being able to use regular PS2 cables. It also means you can use the G-Con Gun45 from Time Crisis – although you probably still have the old adaptor!
The actual unit is a simple device; it has a good 6inch cable that is much thicker than the normal AV cable. It’s made out of the same grade of plastic as the console, so it matches it, and it’s very well made. It’s held together with 6 screws, and the sockets are half out, while the S-Video socket is embedded. It’s also got a good level of shielding to prevent interference. There are no extra cables provided, and it doesn’t need any power source since it connects directly to the PS2’s 12 pin AV output. I think another device that converts the optical output to electrical would be ideal for the PS2’s market.
As mentioned, the video output is covering Composite and S-Video on the actual adapter.
Ø S-Video is used for Digital Cameras and usually connects to TV’s with a front 10mm socket. They have a five pin –non-shielded- cable and give a great level of detail and sharpness. However, S-Video is known to produce wobbly outputs with poorly shielded signals.
Ø Composite is a common signal that is an improvement over RF, but not far. It uses a single core –good cables are shielded- to send a video output to an RCA head, it produces a sharper output than RF but colours are typically muted slightly.
The cable provided in the PS2’s box is a Stereo and Composite lead – European customers will have a Scart adaptor. This will not produce normally sharper Scart output signals as desired. I have no experience in the field of the Sony PS2 Scart lead, but I would recommend using a PlayStation lead – since it is RGB; or at least get a Scart lead that has ‘RGB’ on the package. The downside of RGB with the PS2 is that it produces that Macrovision effect mentioned earlier with DVDs. Which is why Component, Composite and S-Video are preferred.
Ø Component uses three Phono cables –shielded- to send Y, Cb/Pb, Cr/Pr signals through RCA heads (sort of like Red Green Blue). This is the best cable for picture quality in the world. However only the latest CRT TV’s, all Plasma screens and projectors have them.
Ø RGB (Red Green Blue) Scart is a standard in Europe that uses a 21 pin head to transmit Audio and Video, it is compliant with RGB, S-Video, and composite. The best option is RGB, and some TV’s aren’t compatible with S-Video.
To get Component from a PS2 you’ll have to buy a component cable, available from $19.95, these will work with the adapter.
The Picture quality that the adaptor outputs, is increasingly improved when you move from Composite, to S-Video to RGB to Component. With the composite signal, the games appear almost blurred, while moving to S-Video moves the sharpness to a whole new level and RGB is the same but has better colour. The S-Video output is clean and has excellent Geometry, and some viewers said that the adaptor actually makes it look better. While RGB through a regular PlayStation cable is slightly better. The audio output side is also much better than using the Audio cables provided. The gold plated sockets justify the PS2 as a decent CD spinner. This adaptor also lets you use RGB Scart for Games and use a second cable to connect with S-Video – one of the best things about this adaptor.
Conclusion
It comes down to whether or not you need it. The AV Adaptor isn’t the only option out there, and not the cheapest neither. If you need a device that lets you switch and swap cables, output video to up to four monitors, and provide you with suitable audio connections, then the AV Adapter is what you need.
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Read about modifying the PS2 to output RGB Scart with DVD’s with the link below:
http://mikesreviews.web1000.com/ps2_mod.html
Recommended:
Yes
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MichaelHatton
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