PS3 HDMI Cable Problem

[drew24]

I bought a PS3 recently and today I went to get HDMI cables for it. Before I opened the package for it I made sure that TV would support it. Unfortunately for me I don't see any ports (not the right word probably) that I could plug it into. The TV is only 4 years old and I didn't think that it wouldn't be able to support the HDMI cables no problem.
I see no spots on the TV where it could fit. I have a Digital cable HDTV box thing.

Can I plug the HDMI cables into the Digital cable box somehow?
Is there an adapter I can buy?
Am I going to have to go with... (gulp)... component?

[fredr123]

What's wrong with component? You can still get a 1080p signal using that connection. Chances are, however, if your tv is too old to support HDMI it's probably too old to support 1080p anyway.

I would suggest you take back the HDMI cable and get the component AV cable referenced here: http://www.us.playstation.com/suppor...d/default.html

Available at Futureshop:
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...29&catid=24673
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...96&catid=24673

Alternatively, you could get a converter to switch your HDMI to component and audio OR DVI and split off the audio though that would probably be more hassle than it's worth.


http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...5071503AAWRIh3

[drew24]

Thanks, but a follow up...

My TV is 1080i so is there any advantage to having HDMI over component whatsoever?

[drew24]

first double post.

[WhiteTom]

None that I am aware of.

[HotHotHeat]

Except that one is uncompressed digital signal and the other is compressed analog...

My HDMI cable for my PS3 is from Memory Express in Dalhousie station. Cost me like 8 bucks or something and works fine on either a 1080i or 1080p TV.

[fredr123]

At this point, I don't think so. HDMI is much cleaner (i.e., one cable to rule them all). With that component cable I linked to above, you're looking at 5 plugs or more on the tv end.

HDMI allows Sony and other content providers to enforce DRM and other such restrictions. Component cables, being dumb ol' analog dinosaurs, do not have that capacity built in.

For now you can still get all your content and all your features over component cables but there will come a day in the next 5 or so years when companies are going to start flipping that switch and make HDMI necessary to take full advantage of your media.

[photon]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

Except that one is uncompressed digital signal and the other is compressed analog...

Actually neither is compressed.. the only difference is one is digital and the other is analog.

Component can do 1080p but it's not something that all device manufacturers seem to support, so sometimes the device can send 1080p on component but the TV can't accept it, or vice versa.

Unless your TV is 1080p and you are taking advantage of the newest HD audio codecs with a new receiver, going component won't be a problem at all.

Component actually has some advantages over HDMI as well:

http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messa...79/122868.html

[HotHotHeat]

Originally Posted by photon

Actually neither is compressed.. the only difference is one is digital and the other is analog.

Component can do 1080p but it's not something that all device manufacturers seem to support, so sometimes the device can send 1080p on component but the TV can't accept it, or vice versa.

Unless your TV is 1080p and you are taking advantage of the newest HD audio codecs with a new receiver, going component won't be a problem at all.

Component actually has some advantages over HDMI as well:

http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messa...79/122868.html

Maybe I was thinking of audio through HDMI being uncompressed? I know there was some mention of zero compression when I use HDMI for my PS3 and send it to an AV receiver. Hmmm.

[photon]

Yes that's correct, audio can be (though it doesn't always have to be) passed through HDMI uncompressed.

Component of course is video only, and RCA for audio will only go up to Dolby Pro Logic think, for anything beyond that you need coax or optical (or HDMI).

[Galakanokis]

Depending on your boxes and connections component is just fine. At times I think it looks better than the digital signal.

A couple of things to keep in mind though.

If you are coming from a cable box or equivalent you will not get 1080p no matter what cable you use. Actually all you will get is 720 lines of resolution as that is all that is sent up to the birds. And the video is horribly compressed but that has nothing to do with the cables as well.

If you are coming from a PS3 or Blu-Ray player you will get up to 1080p resolution on the HDMI out (assuming the display device can handle the HDCP) but you will only get 540p on the component out. This is part of the HDCP so you cannot copy a true 1080p source.

Stick with component and don't worry about upgrading your tv just yet. 2K and maybe even 4K displays will be just around the corner...

[drew24]

Originally Posted by Galakanokis

If you are coming from a PS3 or Blu-Ray player you will get up to 1080p resolution on the HDMI out (assuming the display device can handle the HDCP) but you will only get 540p on the component out. This is part of the HDCP so you cannot copy a true 1080p source.

Excuse my lack of knowledge but...
Does that mean with component I will only get 540p with component?

[Galakanokis]

If you are coming out component on a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD player than yes, you will only get 540p out through that connection regardless of the tv.

HDCP is High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection. It is on all digital formats. Your display device must have an HDMI or DVI-D connection as well as the decoder for the HDCP protocol to get the full resolution.

[drew24]

Better question: is it worth the 50$?

[HotHotHeat]

Originally Posted by drew24

Better question: is it worth the 50$?

If you're paying more than $15-20 for an HDMI cable you need to rethink your consumer awareness strategy.

[Vulcan]

A four year old TV should have an HDMI input, maybe check your owners manual and if you've lost it google for it. If it doesn't have HDMI check for a DVI input. If you a DVI just get an adapter or buy an HDMI to DVI cable. For good prices and good products for your audio-video needs, check out Monoprice.

[Fobby]

HDMI on the PS3 upscales your DVD movies.. that would be the advantage of using the HDMI on the PS3.

[drew24]

This is much appreciated everyone. Thanks a bunch.