WipEoutHD’s 1080p resolution made possible by dynamic framebuffer
You’d think that being such a fast-moving game, WipEout HD would have a problem rendering at 1080p at 60 frames per second, but it seems the PlayStation 3’s hardware can take it. A gaming blog discovered that the PS3 allows the game to alter resolutions on a frame-by-frame basis, a feat the Xbox 360 can’t achieve. More details after the link.
You’d think that being such a fast-moving game, WipEout HD would have a problem rendering at 1080p at 60 frames per second, but it seems the PlayStation 3’s hardware can take it. According to a report from Digital Foundry, this is because the game operates on a dynamic framebuffer, allowing it to change resolutions on a frame-by-frame basis.
Rather than using methods like dropping frame rates to catch up with the speed, the game uses the Playstation 3’s horizontal hardware scaler. This allows the game to change resolutions on the fly from anywhere between 1920×1080, to 1280×1080. Reportedly, this is something the Xbox 360 can’t do, and so is limited to fixed resolutions.
I’d say that’s a great solution for games with ambitious resolutions. I can’t say I can tell the difference when the game switches resolutions, seeing as how fast the game is. I’d prefer this method rather than dropping frame rates, which can make for pretty awkward gaming, especially for racers. Here’s how Digital Foundry reports its findings:
The actual amount of horizontal resolution being dropped can change on a frame by frame basis: 1728×1080, 1645×1080, 1600×1080, 1440×1080. All have been seen in the Digital Foundry TrueHD captures. The shots above appear to be 1500×1080.
The dynamic framebuffer is really quite an innovative solution to the perennial 1080p problem. Even though we’re seeing major differences in resolution, the human eye really will have trouble realising the difference when the detail level is changing so rapidly in such a fast moving game.
In short, it’s making an advanced-looking game like WipEout HD work at 1080p60 and that’s pretty damn awesome.
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Via Digital Foundry