Yesterday I picked up an 80GB PS3 and brought it home. After a few hours of rewiring and fussing with the XMB settings, I have it set up and running. However, due to the peculiarities of my TV, I'm using a component connection running at 1080i.

My TV is a Pioneer Elite 920HD, so it can't do 1080p, only 1080i. It only has two HDMI inputs, but the problem is that it shares those connections with the component connectors, forcing me to make an either/or choice, since one of my HDMI connectors is dedicated full-time to my TiVo HD. My second connector has my Wii/Xbox 360 connections, so the only way to connect my PS3 via HDMI would be to deactivate them, which I have no intention of doing, obviously.

So this brings up a few questions. First, will I not be able to play BluRay discs at HD resolutions without an HDMI connection? The menus seem to indicate that this is the case. Second, will I not be able to upscale regular DVDs without an HDMI connection? Third, is anyone aware of a switcher device that can take both component and HDMI connectors and output to HDMI?

First, will I not be able to play BluRay discs at HD resolutions without an HDMI connection?

Yes, you need an HDMI connection, it makes a huge difference.

Might i suggest tat you swap the 360 hdmi with the PS3 ,and run the 360 through Component.

Unless you have the HD-DVD upgrade the 360 isn't going to benefit from the hdmi except for single cable management; while the PS3 will benefit with the BD movie output.

Yes, you need an HDMI connection, it makes a huge difference.

You DONT need one to watch BD movies in HD. The PS3 will still output BD movies at 1080i and 720P or 480P via component. Will there be a difference between componenet and HDMI..thats a horse that has been beat to death..so Im not gonna touch it.




So this brings up a few questions. First, will I not be able to play BluRay discs at HD resolutions without an HDMI connection? The menus seem to indicate that this is the case. Second, will I not be able to upscale regular DVDs without an HDMI connection? Third, is anyone aware of a switcher device that can take both component and HDMI connectors and output to HDMI?


Like I said you can watch BD movies via Component 480p, 720p or 1080i. SD-DVD you WILL NOT be able to upscale. And this has NOTHING to do with the PS3, and everything to do with the SD-DVD upscale regulations. DVD players according to the rules and regs of SD-DVD are not supposed to upscale SD-DVD's over anything other than HDMI. So the PS3 plays by these rules.

As far as a HDMI/Component switcher. There are a few video processors that will do it. But the easy (and cheapest) way to do it. is to get a new AVR with 3 or 4 HDMI inputs and 1 output to the TV. This allows you HDMI High Def output for all your gaming and HD-Tv needs (also allows you to take advantage of the better audio track on BD movies)

What is your TV native resulution? 720p?
If so I'd suggest to set your Tv to 720p instead of 1080i. There is a difference. Most notable one is FIFA 2009 and MGS4. I used to have it at 1080i, like you my set don't do full HD. At 1080i, the games I've mentioned will appear a little washed out but a lot more sharper at 720p.

Definitely get an HDMI switcher.

Might i suggest tat you swap the 360 hdmi with the PS3 ,and run the 360 through Component.
Unless you have the HD-DVD upgrade the 360 isn't going to benefit from the hdmi except for single cable management; while the PS3 will benefit with the BD movie output.

Good point..this would be the cheapest and easiest way to go.

This is good advice. Or the guy that suggested a new receiver.

Might i suggest tat you swap the 360 hdmi with the PS3 ,and run the 360 through Component.

Unless you have the HD-DVD upgrade the 360 isn't going to benefit from the hdmi except for single cable management; while the PS3 will benefit with the BD movie output.

Might i suggest tat you swap the 360 hdmi with the PS3 ,and run the 360 through Component.

Unless you have the HD-DVD upgrade the 360 isn't going to benefit from the hdmi except for single cable management; while the PS3 will benefit with the BD movie output.

Even with the HD-DVD player the 360 isn't going to benefit from HDMI since it doesn't allow any HD audio codecs to pass. The only benefit would be if your TV has trouble with 1080p component then HDMI might solve the problem.

Might i suggest tat you swap the 360 hdmi with the PS3 ,and run the 360 through Component.

I already am running the 360 through component. My 360 doesn't have an HDMI connector...it's too old for that. If it did, then I would just buy an HDMI switcher and run the Wii off a different connection.

It sounds like the only real advantage I'll get from going HDMI for the PS3 is upscaling regular DVDs, as I can still get 720p/1080i from a BluRay movie with the component setup.

Thanks for the information.

I already am running the 360 through component. My 360 doesn't have an HDMI connector...it's too old for that. If it did, then I would just buy an HDMI switcher and run the Wii off a different connection.

It sounds like the only real advantage I'll get from going HDMI for the PS3 is upscaling regular DVDs, as I can still get 720p/1080i from a BluRay movie with the component setup.

Thanks for the information.

Add the better...much much better lossless audio codecs too. That is of course if you have good speakers too.

Add the better...much much better lossless audio codecs too. That is of course if you have good speakers too.

I doubt his TV is able to play the HD audio in full effect through its two speakers.

I doubt his TV is able to play the HD audio in full effect through its two speakers.

No, but my Denon receiver/5.1 speakers could, should I chose to route the HDMI through there on the route to the TV. Come to think of it, since I output digital audio from the TV to the receiver, I wouldn't even need to do that.

No, but my Denon receiver/5.1 speakers could, should I chose to route the HDMI through there on the route to the TV. Come to think of it, since I output digital audio from the TV to the receiver, I wouldn't even need to do that.

Well if you have an HDMI receiver then of course you should run your PS3 into it first. I didn't read anything in your post about having a receiver in the mix.

No, but my Denon receiver/5.1 speakers could, should I chose to route the HDMI through there on the route to the TV. Come to think of it, since I output digital audio from the TV to the receiver, I wouldn't even need to do that.

Actually, you should still route HDMI audio directly into your receiver if your receiver supports it.

HDMI audio >> Optical digital audio >> anything non-digital