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Does HDMI Make a Difference for the PlayStation 3?

The High-Definition Multimedia Interface connection on the Sony PlayStation 3 sends digital signals to the monitor that create cleaner and sharper lines and colors than analog connections. It also includes some control features that other formats don't. Sony includes several output options to conform to user needs worldwide, and some have unique advantages for you.

HDMI Differences
- HDMI makes the best PS3 video connection to an HDTV.
  
  HDMI offers not only is the highest quality connection but also the simplest. A single cable connects the video and audio along with various control signals that automatically adjust your PS3 resolution output to the maximum resolution of your high-definition TV. HDMI supports all resolutions provided by the PS3 including 1080p, 1080i, 720p and 480p. However, to take advantage of the maximum quality signal output of HDMI, you must have a HDTV that supports the highest resolution, 1080p, often called full HD.
Other Formats
- Connect your PS3 to older systems with other formats.
  
  The output format options on a PS3 include a D connector that conforms with VGA; component video, which uses red, green and blue RCA push-on connectors; S-video, which uses a round four-pin connector; composite video, which uses a yellow RCA connector; AV MULTI, which is primarily used in Japan, and SCART used mainly in Europe. Most HDTVs in the United States have VGA, component, S-video and composite inputs. The HDMI, AV MULTI and SCART connections include audio within the cable.
Analog Images
- Consider analog signals for certain artistic effects.
  
  For playing games, digital HDMI offers the picture option with the greatest definition. You can play DVDs on your PS3 to avoid the expense of an additional component. If you consider the crisp digital images unnatural for some movies and prefer the softer images created by the analog formats, use one of the analog outputs. Some genres produce illustrations slightly out of focus for artistic effects in romantic movies or movies in natural settings, and the PS3 offers you the option to select whichever format appeals most to you or your guests.
Other Format Connections
- If you have an older HDTV that doesn't have an HDMI input or you want to use an analog format, you can make the highest-quality analog connection from the D-shaped port on the PS3 using a VGA cable. The component video connection offers the next best picture quality using three RCA cables for the video signals. S-video offers lower quality than component but higher quality than composite. All analog formats need audio connections via two additional RCA cables.

PlayStation 3