Best version the PlayStation 2 (PS2)

I was hoping to find out which of the MANY versions of the Playstation 2 outputs the best quality video. I know the PS2 can output RGB, component and VGA (via sync on green), so that fact alone makes the question more complicated. I think the most important thing I'm interested in would be 480p output, which would be through component or VGA. Also, I'd like to find out if the PS2 outputs PS1 games better than an actual PS1 (via the native 240p resolution, of course), via any output method. I'm assuming no matter what, VGA will be the best, but you never know.


I'll take all the info I learn here, borrow PS2 consoles from all my friends and do picture comparisons. Hopefully, I'd like to find out once and for all, which is the best PS2 console to own for people who are serious about getting the best picture out of their consoles (I'm interested in audio info as well, if applicable).


Since this forum has been amazingly helpful in pointing me in the right direction for which PS1's to test for best video (www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?47101-Best-Version-of-the-Playstation), I thought I'd ask my PS2 question here as well.


For the record, I believe if you're using an HDTV to play your playstation (1&2) games, by far the best choice would be to get a PS2-compatible PS3 and play the games via HDMI. I'm concerned with playing the games on an RGB or VGA compatible CRT monitor, in their native resolution.


I promise, this will be probably be the last time I start a "best-of" thread. I appreciate all the help I've gotten so far and don't want to take it for granted. That being said, I hope everyone posts the same awesome info in this thread as they have in the PS1 thread.


Thanks in advance...and hopefully within a few weeks I'll have picture proof as to which is the best to own!

 

as far as my knowledge goes, my SCPH-30004 R (V4) is worse in video then my SCPH-70004 (V12) as in slightly blurry around the edges (which is most visible when using composite). but with component, its almost invisible, though if you watch closely, the V12 is slightly sharper.
that all goes for 480i NTSC and 576i PAL, as i dont own or have used more than one game that is able to output progressive, but i guess there its be the same.

 

Thank you! I've heard some people claim the slim actually has the sharpest video output, but I'm hoping to get everyone's opinion here before I round up a bunch of consoles and test myself.

 

No, it isn't. Not if you care about playing. When you play PS2 games on the PS3 you introduce, at a minimum, 2 frames of lag just due to the PS3.

If you are serious about playing the games, you don't want to play on a system which degrades your input in any way.

Basically, if it's a choice between PS2 and PS3 for PS2 games, there is no comparison. You go PS2.

 

Interesting. I've barely clocked any time playing PS2 games on a PS3, but when I did it looked good. I'll have to pay attention next time.

Honestly though, 99% of the time, I insist upon playing games on their original systems. The only exceptions for me personally is playing Master System games on the Genesis (it's pretty much perfect) and playing GameBoy (+ GBC & GBA) games on my SNES / GameCube...those are far from perfect, but it's nice to see them on a big screen

 

if you were to say the best built quality, it will be the version 7... 39001

Later Phat version 50001 series and above have Laser issue and use less materials to make the console sturdy.