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Are HDMI Cables Needed for a PS3 to Go Over 480i?

On a Sony PlayStation 3, the HDMI output can accommodate all available resolutions except 480i. You can connect higher resolutions with HDMI, but you can also use the D connection ̵1; used mainly in Japan ̵1; or the component video connection. The composite or S-video connection only carries 480i, but you don't need HDMI to go above it.

Resolution
- The resolution of the PS3 signal tells the amount of information it sends to the monitor or television. The number explains the amount of horizontal lines on a screen that the signal can illuminate and the letter designation tells the type of scanning. Progressive (p) scanning illuminates all lines in a single sweep and interlaced (i) scanning illuminates odd lines in one sweep and even in the next. Progressive scanning produces the highest-quality picture for the given resolution. Standard TVs are designed to illuminate lines at 480i resolution. High-definition televisions illuminate at 780p, 1080i or 1080p, depending on their design.
PS3 Output Resolutions
- The PS3 HDMI output supports 1080p, 1080i, 720p and 480p signals. D-terminal and component video carry 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p and 480i resolutions. S-video and composite only support 480i. Select an output and resolution that matches your TV using the "Video Output Settings" section of your owner's manual. HDMI offers a higher-quality digital signal most appropriate for PS3's computer-generated images. All others are analog. Check the owner's manual of your TV for its resolution capabilities. Some define 1080p resolution as full HD.
HDMI
- High-Definition Multimedia Interface technology was developed in 2002 to provide a single- cable connection between the components of home entertainment systems. It connects digital video signals at various resolutions depending on the equipment manufacturer's design features. It also carries up to eight channels of audio along with control signals for various automatic features between certain signal sources and monitors. HDMI ports appear on higher-quality cable and satellite receivers, video game consoles, DVD and Blu-ray players, AV receivers, DVRs, computers, HDTV sets and computer monitors.
Audio
- For connections other than HDMI, the PS3 needs audio cables.
  
  When connecting to an HDTV that supports higher resolutions than 480i, the HDMI cable includes a sound connection to play on the HDTV speakers. For an external speaker or surround sound system, connect the PS3 directly to an AV receiver equipped with HDMI, route the sound to your speakers and connect the HDMI output of the receiver to your HDTV for video with the sound turned down. With all other connections, use RCA cables with push-in plugs to connect to your standard or HDTV audio input jacks associated with the video input port you select.

PlayStation 3