Optimizing PS3 Video and Audio Settings for Gaming

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The PlayStation 3 is one of my all-time favorite game consoles. I still play it occasionally, and I played on it extensively years ago when it was the state-of-the-art game console. In this article, I step through each applicable setting on my PS3 system in order to list them here and discuss the basis for how each should be set. Going forward, I intend to capture my game play at the highest practical quality. As such, I also consider the pertinent capabilities of my Magewell USB Capture HDMI Plus capture card. Finally, it is also important that I consider the capabilities of the TV that is being used for display as well.

Setting Evaluation

PS - Upscaler

The first applicable setting is "PS - Upscaler" in the "Game Settings" list. If you have a PS3 that supports PS2 games, this setting is labeled as "PS / PS2 - Upscaler". This setting allows the user to decide whether PS1 and PS2 games run at their native resolution (Off), run upscaled with the 4:3 aspect ratio preserved (Normal), or run upscaled and stretched to simulate a 16:9 aspect ratio (Full Screen). PS1 and PS2 games can be upscaled to 1080p. In general, I do not intend to use the "Full Screen" setting, since this alters the image via stretching. As of this writing, I do not know the kind and quality of the algorithm that the PS3 uses to upscale the video. Moreover, modern TVs must upscale the standard definition video signal they receive regardless, and I will probably never know any specifics regarding the algorithm used by my TV. Therefore, I recommend trying this set to both off and "Normal" with your TV to see which looks best to you. For recording and streaming game play, I typically leave this setting off for two reasons: to ensure that smaller video file sizes are created and to enable the use of known, high quality upscaling algorithms in OBS Studio on my computer.

Fig. 1: PS - Upscaler setting screenshot
Fig. 1: PS - Upscaler setting screenshot

PS - Smoothing

The next setting is "PS - Smoothing" in the "Game Settings" list. If you have a PS3 that supports PS2 games, this setting is labeled as "PS / PS2 - Smoothing". This is used to alter the displayed image of PS1 and PS2 games by reducing picture roughness. I recommend starting with this setting set off and turning it on later after some time to see which looks best to you. For recording and streaming game play, I typically leave this setting off for two reasons: to preserve the original image and to allow the application of known, high quality filtering effects in OBS Studio on my computer.

Fig. 2: PS - Smoothing setting screenshot
Fig. 2: PS - Smoothing setting screenshot

Stereo Headset Audio Extension

Next is the "Stereo Headset Audio Extension" setting in the "Accessory Settings" list. Typically, this setting should be set off. Many years ago, I had a PlayStation Gold Wireless Headset that was compatible and could receive all audio via the USB port dongle. I purchased it early in 2014, because I had wanted to upgrade to a wireless headset compatible with both the PS3 and PS4. As far as I am aware, this is the only headset that can receive all audio via the PS3's USB ports. However, after some years, the rubber ear cushions began to deteriorate and crumble. Before I had this headset, I had a wired one that would take the audio signal from the PS3's analog audio output cables.

Fig. 3: Stereo Headset Audio Extension setting screenshot
Fig. 3: Stereo Headset Audio Extension setting screenshot

Video and Audio Output

The user should follow the prompts in the "Video Output Settings" option in the "Display Settings" list next. I use the HDMI output since it is the highest quality option. Modern TVs should be able to support all four of the PS3's video output resolutions (i.e., 480p, 720p, 1080i, and 1080p). One can select the "Custom" option to select them all and ensure that the PS3 can automatically choose the best output resolution for the game being played.

Fig. 4: Video output connector selection screenshot
Fig. 4: Video output connector selection screenshot
Fig. 5: Video output settings screenshot
Fig. 5: Video output settings screenshot

Subsequently, the prompts allow the user to select the option to set the audio output settings. Again, the HDMI output is the highest quality option. HDMI-embedded audio is also the simplest to use with both my capture card and any modern TV. The "Automatic" option should allow the PS3 to automatically determine which audio output formats are compatible with the connected TV or sound system. Linear PCM is basically the raw, uncompressed audio produced by the game being played, and should be compatible with all modern TVs. As such, this is the highest quality you can get. The higher, upsampled frequencies are not always compatible, however. Although my capture card can support up to eight audio channels as input, it appears that only two channel sound, or stereo sound, can be captured from the HDMI signal. This is sufficient for recording game play, streaming game play, and playing with my headset. I have also received information from Magewell support stating that only Linear PCM audio is supported by the capture card. As such, I only selected the "Linear PCM 2 Ch. 44.1 kHz" and "Linear PCM 2 Ch. 48 kHz" options. The PS3 selects the most appropriate of these two formats depending on the content being played, which is likely always "Linear PCM 2 Ch. 48 kHz" for games. If you have a fancy sound system for your entertainment setup, some of the other audio output formats might be useful for you. However, my understanding is that you can't go wrong with Linear PCM for this use case. All audio output formats supported by my PS3 for potential use when using the HDMI output are listed as follows.

Fig. 6: Audio output connector selection screenshot
Fig. 6: Audio output connector selection screenshot
Fig. 7: Audio output settings screenshot
Fig. 7: Audio output settings screenshot

RGB Full Range (HMDI)

Next is the "RGB Full Range (HDMI)" setting in the "Display Settings" list. This setting is for use when the capture card or TV is connected to the PS3 system using an HDMI cable. For RGB video signals, the range of the color scale that is input to the TV must depend on the TV in use. A limited RGB output signal represents each color in an intensity gradient of 16 to 235 and is traditionally the only range supported by TVs. A full RGB output signal is in the range of 0 to 255 and is the typical range used by computers. This is set to "Full" on my PS3, since this is supported by my capture card. Additionally, my TV likely supports the full RGB color space as well.

Fig. 8: RGB Full Range (HDMI) setting screenshot
Fig. 8: RGB Full Range (HDMI) setting screenshot

Deep Color Output (HDMI)

Finally, there is the "Deep Color Output (HDMI)" setting in the "Display Settings" list. Normally, the red, green, and blue colors for each pixel are each represented by 8 bits (i.e., an intensity gradient of 0 to 255). Deep color settings instead allow color to be represented by 10 bits, 12 bits, etc. As of this writing, I have not found a reliable source that specifies exactly what bit depth(es) are supported by the PS3. This is set to "Automatic". My capture card supports 8, 10, and 12-bit color, and my TV likely supports 10-bit color. I am curious to see what games support this feature. When playing, I will keep an eye on my capture card software utility to see when it detects a higher bit depth and perchance make a list.

Fig. 9: Deep Color Output (HDMI) setting screenshot
Fig. 9: Deep Color Output (HDMI) setting screenshot

Conclusion

This wraps up the pertinent settings available in the PS3. There are other settings not mentioned here that affect video and audio on the PS3, but these are stated to only affect video or audio playback. The settings do not affect game video or audio. Note that since the PS3 doesn't support USB or Bluetooth headsets for game audio, I use my capture card, which converts the HDMI-embedded audio into an analog signal (3.5 mm) that I can input directly into my headset.

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