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[Truelize]

Just a quick question regarding the fibre optic output on the PS2.

Does the PS2 actually output game sound through this port?? I thought I had read years ago that only movies outputted digital sound from the PS2.

I just recently picked up a componant cable for my PS2 and I run everything through a switch and I'm curious if it's worth it for me to pick up another fibre optic cord for improved sound.

 

[Jonnyram]

Yes. Most games do.
Some games have it disabled though, for retarded reasons, like Initial D

 

[ghibli99]

Just a quick question regarding the fibre optic output on the PS2.

Does the PS2 actually output game sound through this port?? I thought I had read years ago that only movies outputted digital sound from the PS2.

I just recently picked up a componant cable for my PS2 and I run everything through a switch and I'm curious if it's worth it for me to pick up another fibre optic cord for improved sound.

If you have a Dolby Digital receiver, it's the only way you'll get DD sound. IIRC, MGS3's cinemas output in DD 5.1, etc., so yeah, I think it's worth it.

But beware, like Jonnyram said, there are games that don't output audio via the optical cable (in addition to Initial D, there's Mushihimesama, Parappa 2, and some others that are escaping me at the moment).

 

[Truelize]

Yes. Most games do.
Some games have it disabled though, for retarded reasons, like Initial D

OK cool. Thanks.

So now I need another fibre optic cable I guess.

So if a game does NOT output a digital sound will I get any sound at all from that outlet? Or will I need to have the basic audio cables plugged in too?



edit: I have a full home theatre set-up with everything needed for digital audio. I was just drawing a total blank on teh PS2 audio.
I just got a HDtv and have been upgrading all my consoles to componant and I'm quite suprised how poorly integrated the digital sound in with the PS2 and the Gamecube. Appears it was quite the after thought.

 

[HomerSimpson-Man]

Yeah, I use it for my PS2 audio.

 

[ghibli99]

So if a game does NOT output a digital sound will I get any sound at all from that outlet? Or will I need to have the basic audio cables plugged in too?

You need to keep the RCA red/white cables plugged in, otherwise it's Silence of the Lambs.

I just got a HDtv and have been upgrading all my consoles to componant and I'm quite suprised how poorly integrated the digital sound in with the PS2 and the Gamecube. Appears it was quite the after thought.

It's worse than that... the GC doesn't have digital audio out at all (not without modification, anyway)! Dolby Pro Logic II only for most people.

 

[qirex]

I'm quite suprised how poorly integrated the digital sound in with the PS2... Appears it was quite the after thought.

Zuh? It's been there since the beginning and while the PS2 doesn't have built-in Dolby digital support in games some have done it along with some DTS 2/2 games like Vice City and SSX Tricky. And don't think I've ever encountered a game that doesn't support digital audio output in 5 years. When they designed the PS2 it just wasn't feasible.

get a cable for $3 at monoprice.com

 

[Truelize]

Zuh? It's been there since the beginning and while the PS2 doesn't have built-in Dolby digital support in games some have done it along with some DTS 2/2 games like Vice City and SSX Tricky. And don't think I've ever encountered a game that doesn't support digital audio output in 5 years. When they designed the PS2 it just wasn't feasible.

get a cable for $3 at monoprice.com

I mean it appears to be an after-thought due to how the fibre optic out is not directly associated with the main video/audio output (xbox for example). It could just been how it was done back then though.


Cool though, as soon as my Gamecube componant cable gets here I'm all set-up.

 

[BocoDragon]

If you have a Dolby Digital receiver, it's the only way you'll get DD sound. IIRC, MGS3's cinemas output in DD 5.1, etc., so yeah, I think it's worth it.

But beware, like Jonnyram said, there are games that don't output audio via the optical cable (in addition to Initial D, there's Mushihimesama, Parappa 2, and some others that are escaping me at the moment).

So bascially.... these games don't have any sound flowing over the analog sound cable? That must be way harsh if you use an actual good component cable that doesn't bother with analog sound outputs

 

[Jonnyram]

So bascially.... these games don't have any sound flowing over the analog sound cable? That must be way harsh if you use an actual good component cable that doesn't bother with analog sound outputs

No, they have analog but not digital. In Initial D's case, this is because Avex didn't want people to rip the music :/ Not sure about Parappa etc.

 

[BocoDragon]

No, they have analog but not digital. In Initial D's case, this is because Avex didn't want people to rip the music :/ Not sure about Parappa etc.

Right, that's what I said. Most good component cables don't even have analog sound outputs, so it seems like you couldn't even play these games with these types of cables.

 

[Jonnyram]

Damn you're confusing...

So bascially.... these games don't have any sound flowing over the analog sound cable?

I think you meant to say digital instead of analog

 

[BocoDragon]

Damn you're confusing...

I think you meant to say digital instead of analog

Hmmm.... I guess I did. Funny how i read over that like 3 times and still decided you were wrong. Touche.

 

[ghibli99]

So, the solution: Don't buy a component cable that doesn't have the red/white RCA plugs. Otherwise, you're FUBAR for those few games that don't support digital audio out.

 

[BocoDragon]

So, the solution: Don't buy a component cable that doesn't have the red/white RCA plugs. Otherwise, you're FUBAR for those few games that don't support digital audio out.

Here's a better idea. Get an actual good componenet cable (that wouldn't bother with analog red+white), and skip Initial D/Parappa. These companies should be taught a lesson for not supporting the sound standard of a 6 year old machine.

But I see what you mean. Be prepared.

 

[ghibli99]

Here's a better idea. Get an actual good componenet cable (that wouldn't bother with analog red+white), and skip Initial D/Parappa. These companies should be taught a lesson for not supporting the sound standard of a 6 year old machine.

But I see what you mean. Be prepared.

:lol Yeah, that approach works, too. IIRC, I think Gradius III & IV (US) omitted the digital audio out, whereas the Japanese version had it. Go figure!

 

[BocoDragon]

I also remember Sky Oddysey not having digital sound output.

Remember Sky Oddysey? :lol

 

[ghibli99]

I also remember Sky Oddysey not having digital sound output.

Remember Sky Oddysey? :lol

Yeah, that game felt like the spiritual successor to Pilotwings, so I enjoyed it... I think. Feels like that was forever and a day ago!

Anyway, sorry for the derail... funny how that happens. Back to the major entertainment that is digital audio cables for the PS2.

 

[BocoDragon]

It was a godsend that it works with every PSone game, anyway.

 

[Zaptruder]

either my TV component RC audio inputs don't work or my component sound out cables don't work, but I can only get sound through optical now.

Thankfully though, it works for most games out there...

 

[Naked Snake]

If you have a Dolby Digital receiver, it's the only way you'll get DD sound. IIRC, MGS3's cinemas output in DD 5.1, etc., so yeah, I think it's worth it.

I don't think MGS3's cutscenes have DD 5.1, MGS2's do however... MGS3 only uses DPLII as far as I know.

GTA: Vice City has DTS.

 

[Cold-Steel]

I don't think MGS3's cutscenes have DD 5.1, MGS2's do however... MGS3 only uses DPLII as far as I know.

GTA: Vice City has DTS.

MGS3 uses Dolby Pro Logic IIx for (potential) 7.1 surround in all aspects.
MGS2 uses Stereo for gameplay and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround for cutscenes.
GTA: Vice City has DTS in 5.1 discrete.

Optical is the way to go, much better quality for Pro Logic II than through RCA's.

 

[ActionMan]

I've never used the analog audio outputs. Didn't even know there were games that didn't suport the digital out.

 

[Naked Snake]

MGS3 uses Dolby Pro Logic IIx for (potential) 7.1 surround in all aspects.
MGS2 uses Stereo for gameplay and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround for cutscenes.
GTA: Vice City has DTS in 5.1 discrete.

Optical is the way to go, much better quality for Pro Logic II than through RCA's.

I don't think Vice City is 5.1 DTS, I recall it being 4.0

 

[Finaika]

MGS2 uses Stereo for gameplay and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround for cutscenes.

MGS2 uses Pro Logic (not II) for gameplay if I'm not mistaken.

 

[ghibli99]

I don't think MGS3's cutscenes have DD 5.1, MGS2's do however... MGS3 only uses DPLII as far as I know.

D'oh, my bad. Thanks for the correction... it's been a while.

 

[Beatbox]

Thanks for clearing up the assumption I made 3 years ago when I rented Parappa 2 from Blockbuster. The game outputs NOTHING via optical. Thankfully they refunded my money and strangely enough I haven't rented a video game since.

 

[arne]

I never knew this about Parappa 2 until I read this thread. I always thought something was wrong with my game or something, but I was too lazy to do something about it. I just dealt with the hassle of switching my audio inputs all the time.