In real-world numbers, how many polygons can the PlayStation 2 handle on screen?
Since a 3D object is constructed of pieces (known as polygons), the number of polygons per second a system can process indicates how detailed the 3D graphics can be, and how smoothly they can animate.
Officially, the maximum number the system can process is 75 million polygons per second. But this number doesn't take into account texture maps (images wrapped onto the polygon set), filtering (making the textures look clean, natural, and unpixelated), and lighting (giving the object a more 3D look with realistic shadows and light effects). With all this into place, the PlayStation 2 can process 20 million polygons per second. Again, this number will be affected by in-game physics, character artificial intelligence, audio, and other processor-intensive effects. We'll take a conservative estimate and saying initial games will push around eight to ten million polygons per second - and believe us when we say that this number is still no slouch.
What kind of effects is the PlayStation 2 capable of?
Obviously the system will be capable of mip-mapping, bi-linear filtering, anti-aliasing, texture-correction, and Z-buffering (check the Lexicon in our features section for definitions).
Sony has also touted that the system will handle Bezier surfacing, a technique that decides how many polygons are needed to make an object have smoother surfacing. Bezier surfacing also assists in telling the object to use as many or as few polygons as the system can handle at that processing moment. Developers can easily insert Bezier-surfaced CG models into the PlayStation 2 and the system will be able to render the object in real-time.
The PlayStation will also have techniques to create flowing hair and cloth for added realism.
Will it use CDs or DVDs?
The PlayStation2 has a DVD drive that is capable of reading both CD-formatted (650 megabytes) discs as well as DVD-formatted discs (4.7 gigabytes). Most of the initial games will be straight CD games, however, as time progresses, more and more games will be produced on DVD. The first DVD game is by Koei, entitled Kessen.
Sony announced that it has developed a specially designed spindle that can read both DVDs and CDs from the same laser. Normal DVD readers have two sets of lasers -- one to read CDs, and one to read the finer pits of a DVD. This measure of combining the laser functionality will reduce the cost of the PlayStation 2's manufacturing in the long run.
What do the different colored discs mean?
There are three colored discs.
- Blue = CD-ROM
- Silver = DVD
- Black = Original PlayStation disc
What's the speed on the drive? Will there be load times?
- CD-ROM = 24X speed
- DVD-ROM = 4X speed
As with any disc drive, there will be load times, but rest assured, load times are far less likely to surpass PlayStation's current 15-30 second load times.
Will it play DVD movies?
Sony has said that, right out of the box, the PlayStation 2 will indeed have the ability to play DVD movies. Sony has official plans to release a hard drive-like peripheral in the year 2001 to coincide with its broader e-commerce scheme. This will enable players to buy games, or perhaps update games, as well as movies, and music online. The system has MPEG2 capabilities, too.
Will it have a modem?
Sony has officially stated it will not launch the machine with a built-in modem, like the Dreamcast. The PS2 was created to use one, but Sony wants to roll out its online plans in 2001. Sony will enable gamers to choose from USB, IEEE 1394 (identified as "i-Link" by Sony) and PCMCIA PC card interfaces, with a modem slot. This enables gamers to customize their preference of connectivity, whether its narrowband (like the Dreamcast) or broadband, which is what Sony is encouraging.
