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Can I Watch DVDs on a PS3 Without an HDMI Cable?

You can use the Sony PlayStation 3 as a DVD player and connect it to a monitor with any of the output formats it has. Although HDMI offers a higher-quality digital image, you don't need to use it. But you do need to match the output with the input to your viewing screen. The PS3 has six output options to choose from.

PS3 Outputs
- The five analog video outputs of a PS3 include one 15-pin D shaped connector; component video, which uses three RCA push-in connectors; S-video, which uses a round four-pin connector; composite video, which uses a single RCA connector; and SCART, which uses a 21-pin rectangular connector. HDMI and SCART outputs also carry audio, but the other formats need separate audio connections. Sony has designed the outputs to reach a wide range of users with different types of TVs around the world.
TV Inputs
- In the United States, an older or less-expensive TV set may have only a composite video input, identified by three RCA connectors color coded yellow for video and red and white for right and left audio. An older higher-quality TV may have S-video and component. A new high-definition set may have HDMI, the D shaped connection more commonly known as VGA, component and composite video. S-video and SCART are becoming obsolete and may not appear on a new HDTV in the United States as of 2011.
Connection Considerations
- The PS3 comes with a composite video cable made up of three coaxial cables to connect to a standard television set with video and audio. If you want to make other connections, you need to acquire other cables. Composite video offers the lowest quality picture, S-video the next best, component video next and the D connection offers the best of all the analog signals. After choosing a connection method, select the PS3 output accordingly using the Video Output Settings instructions in the owner's manual.
Non-HDMI Cable Suggestions
- For a higher-quality, lower-priced connection, plug the three ends of the composite video cable that came with the PS3 into the three component video output connections, and use an additional red-and-white audio cable for sound. The D connection uses a VGA cable that you may have on a computer system nearby, but you need an audio cable for it also. If you have an older TV with an S-video input, you may have an S-video cable and can use it, but it also needs an audio cable.

PlayStation 3