HELP, How can I get HD (1080i) with PAL GT4?

[tom_kauf]

Hi everyone,
I'm new to this forum and I'd like some help on the following question:

How can I get High Definition (1080i) with the PAL version of GT4 on my 42" Plasma TV?

I have:
 Silver Playstation 2 Slimline (SCPH-70002)
 Sony 42” HD Plasma TV (PFM-42X1), on which I get 1080i with free-to-air HD TV channels
 Special 5-plug Component Cables for PS2 (not the standard 3 plug composite one)

Here are my problems/questions:
 I'm in Australia and we have PAL. I've read other forums like http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=278815
where they say that the PAL GT4 does not have the 1080i HD option (only NTSC does). Which is true, because when I hook it up with the component cables, I get 575/50i (even during races). And I don't have the "1080i" option under "Screen Options" in GT4. That means I have to buy an NTSC version of GT4, right? (which I’m prepared to do).
 How can I get the NTSC version of GT4 (eg. from Japan or America) to work with my Australia PAL PS2? I will need to get it chipped, right? What’s a good chip?
 How about “Swap Magic” and “Magic Switch”? I would prefer that to getting it chipped, but the forum above (http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=278815) says that it’s not possible since “Swap Magic doesn’t work on the NTSC GT4 disc, its a DVD9”. Does anyone know anything about this?
 Finally, is it worth getting all this to have GT4 in HD? For me it is, IF there’s a noticeable difference in graphics. Is there anyone that has screen shots (photos of the TV, because actual screenshots have higher quality than during the game) to show the difference between the two (I have 575/50i at the moment)? Or a webpage to compare 1080i HD vs. non-HD GT4?

ANY feedback is greatly appreciated. I’m a car racing nut and it’s the only PS2 game I have, but I have it and a Logitech Driving Force-Pro to learn the Nürburgring and go there one day.

Thanks heaps in advance,
Tom 👍 👍

 

[the Interceptor]

You can't, 1080i is not included in PAL GT4 - the guys are right. For that, I recommend the US NTSC version of GT4. You can play it with a chipped PS2 or with a harddrive. The last option is some work, chipping the PS2 is easier. Other members can tell you more about that than I can, cause I went for the HDD.
And is it worth it? It does look better than 576i, but it is no real 1080i either. It really depends on how much the whole thing will cost you. Your choice. As you do have a 1080i-capable TV already, it's worth a try in my eyes. As I understand it, you only need the NTSC version of GT4 and to have your PS2 chipped, which shouldn't be too steep.

EDIT: I know that there are some 480p vs. 1080i comparison screenshots somewhere, but they are offline in the original thread. I'm sure they are around here somewhere. Maybe someone still has them and can upload them again?

Regards
the Interceptor

 

[Famine]

stuff

Quickest way is to buy a Japanese NTSC console, from somewhere like Lik-sang. The power adapter works in any region and your HDTV is capable of displaying an NTSC input.

 

[tom_kauf]

Thanks for the info guys.
Interceptor, good to know that the hdd is a lot more work than chipping. I'll look into it.
Famine, that's a good idea. I'll check how much they are (although it's abit of a waste to have 2 ps2s).