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PS3 Output Settings
When your PS3 is plugged into a TV, the on-screen options offer several settings to conform to the specifications of the TV you use. Your TV must support the format you select. Use your controls to highlight "Settings," illustrated by a small toolbox icon. Then select "Display Settings" illustrated by a small video screen icon. Your options include "HDMI," "Component / D Terminal," "Composite / S-Video" and "AV MULTI / SCART." If HDMI is selected, none of the other outputs will provide signals. Scroll to the output you want to use and select from the available resolutions.
TV Connections
The PS3 will connect to almost any TV set manufactured anywhere in the world with a wide variety of formats. But you must select a format compatible with the design features of your TV. A standard TV may accept composite video, S-video, AV MULTI or SCART. An HDTV may accept HDMI, D Terminal -- also known as VGA -- and component video to take advantage of the high-definition signals. If you input lower resolutions to an HDTV, it will upconvert them to fill the screen, but will not improve them to HD quality. Your TV set owner's manual tells its designed resolution.
HDMI Resolutions
HDMI provides the only digital connection from your PS3 to your HDTV. It also includes sound in the single-cable connection. It supports resolutions of 1080p (full HD, the best), 1080i and 760p (both HD) and 480p (high-quality standard definition). The numbers tell the horizontal lines that will illuminate on the screen and the letter tells the type of scanning. Progressive (p) scans all horizontal lines in a single sweep. Interlaced (i) scans all odd lines first and then the even in a second sweep. The 1080p provides the most stable picture, the smooths motion and the most vivid colors.
Other Output Formats
Because the PS3 creates digital signals, some quality is lost when converting to analog for the other formats. With VGA and component video, you still have high-definition, but lines may not be as clear and colors may tend to fade into each other. With lower resolution, these problems may increase and the motion may seem jerky. Also the analog sound may not be a clear and crisp. But these formats allow you to use your PS3 on older or lower-quality television sets. For any format, you must make the proper selection from your Video Output Settings.