[drivinscool]

Just wondering why the specs of the PS2 show as a resolution of 1280x1024 pixels when it will only output an SD image?

Anyone know?

[fallenangle]

Quite simply - you're wrong.

The PS2 is capable of outputting up to 1080i it is just that only a few games actually support that resolution NTSC GT4 for instance. The PAL version doesn't, only supporting 576i/50Hz or 480i/60Hz but not even a 480p option (contrary to some myths about GT4 PAL prog scan being a "hidden" option)
Progressive scan 480p is supported in many more NTSC PS2 games than their PAL versions, much to the annoyance of many UK/EU gamers.

Information about the PS2's resolution is easily found online but the precise details are very technical and I'm not going to pretend to be an expert. However if I've understood it correctly the PS2's GPU internal resolution capability produces an output between 256 x 224 and 1280 x 1024 depending on the game. This output is then processed to conform to the screen resolution display standards we're more familiar with ie. 480i, 576i, 480p or, in a few cases, higher.

I think this is how it works but don't quote me as the info comes from unverfied sources. If somebody knows better feel free to chip in and correct any mistake I've made.