PS3 - HDMI or Component

[StNick]

Hi all,

I received my PS3 today (yay), but was pretty disappointed to find that they do not include ANY form of HD cable in the box. So I need to head out at lunch and buy one (either component or HDMI).

Which do you recommend?

HDMI *seems* like the obvious choice, but... I will be needing to get audio to my 5.1 amp, and NOT the TV. Since HDMI carries the audio signal to the TV, can someone tell me whether I am able to use the optical output on the back of the PS3 at the same time? A quick google has revealed that quite a few people have run into issues, but these could have been sorted out with updated firmwares.

I am tempted to just get the component cable as I know I won't have any problems that way. Has anyone else had any experience with this?

Any advice greatly appreciated (before lunch ).

 

[Chevron]

Some people actually say Component gives a better picture than HDMI. I remember when the 360s came out with hdmi there were a lot of comparisons. Some saying Component is better. I say take Component as it will make your sound issue go away.

Or should I say you won't have a sound issue in the first place.

 

[StNick]

Thanks for the advice.

It just dawned on me though... Won't I *NEED* HDMI in order to play Bluray movies (due to HDCP)?

 

[Roo!]

Well I have an HDMI cable running to my TV and an optical cable running to my 5.1 amp. The only issue you will have is that you can't run sound through both outputs at the same time. It's a quick setting that needs to be changed for the sound to go either way; a little bit if an effort but no major problem.

I truly can't imagine component giving you better PQ so just get an HDMI cable, it's one cable instead of 5 (3V + 2A). Makro sells the non-Sony one (they're all the same) for roughly R100 in their AV section.

 

[Wynsam]

Go with the HDMI cable for video and the optical cable for the audio. You will then set the ps3 to output audio on the optical output.

 

[StNick]

Thanks guys... That's the answer I wanted to hear!

I don't need audio at the TV ever, so I won't need to output to BOTH at the same time.

What I was worried about though is that the PS3 would force audio over HDMI when using the HDMI cable for video.

Thanks again.

I still find it very strange that Sony don't provide any form of HD cable out the box (as Microsoft do).

 

[Ecco]

Yeah HDMI for the video and audio via the optical.

Oh, be sure you change the display settings in order to get the most out of using the HDMI cable and match it to the resolution of your tv.