High-end PS3 shipping without HDMI cable

by Joystiq Staff on Sep 3rd 2006 10:55PM

The über version of the PlayStation 3 evidently isn't shipping with the HDMI cable needed to take advantage of 1080p Blu-ray sweetness that has been promised by Sony ever since the PS3's high-def qualities have been hyped up. According to a recently updated FAQ on the official PS3 site, it says the following: "Copy-protected Blu-ray video discs can only output at 1080p using an HDMI cable connected to a device that is compatible with the HDCP standard."

The only problem is that the HDMI cable needed to do this won't be included with your $600 PS3. That means, according to prices on places like Amazon, you'll have to shell out an extra $40 or more for the needed HD hook up. While it certainly may not be a big deal for someone who has the dough to spend $600 on a game console in the first place, for those who have been fillin' up the ol' piggy bank a penny at a time to buy this thing, it could just add to the stress and anger that's been building ever since the price was announced in May.

Sony said the $600 PS3 would play our content in 1080p. Maybe they should have made it clear we'd need an extra cable not included in the box to do so.

[Thanks, Chris Larson]

Source

Tags: PS3

Reader Comments (163)

I lol'd.

this stuff really bothers me but ill still buy it at launch. so much BAD news...

as did I.

This has got to be a joke. $600 for a console, and they can't even include the cable it connects with?

Give me a break. I realize HDMI cables are a bit pricey, but they've come down to the $30 range now for a decent HDMI cable.

Don't forget guys...the HD era doesn't begin until sony says so...err...until you get a PS3, a 1080p HDTV, AND buy an HDMI cable. lol.

$40!?

You can get an HDMI cable for under 10 bucks at places like this: http://www.riteav.com/index.php?cPath=47_48_58

No big whoop. Did people complain when Sony didn't ship an s-video cable with the PS1? MS didn't ship one with the original Xbox either.

btw, digital cables are digital cables - they're either capable of carrying the signal properly or they're not. At shorter lengths, there's no reason to spend more than $10 on an HDMI cable. I've got a $5 DVI cable (same thing as HDMI, without the audio) connecting my PC to my TV and it works just fine.

I guess it only matters for the small group of people who even have the capability to play 1080p but even still, this just adds insult to injury.

Joystiq, stop reporting false news. Component cables are perfectly capable of sending a 1080p signal...HDMI is NOT NEEDED. Yes, if flicks start to use the ICT (Image Constraint Token) you will not be able to get 1080p without HDMI (or a TV with HDMI-HDCP)

I don't see this as that big a deal. While I won't be buying a PS3 at launch, I don't think someone who's going to cough up $500-600 dollars for a PS3 is going to care that much about paying extra for an HDMI cable.

Come this has to be the stupidiest post i have ever seen on joystiq, my $2700 HDTV didnt come with a HDMI cord, My Surround Sound System with a HDMI port didnt come with a HDMI cable, And most printers dont come with a USB cable, whats the big deal just buy a cable.

People are complaining about anything just because its sony, but its funny how in 3 months all you posters will be kissing up, doing live reports from lauch day just so you can get a free PS3.

caps are for retarded n00bs.

No worries.

Get one from Monoprice. Great pricve and service, and they accept PayPal (a positive in my book).

Either
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024004&p_id=2412&seq=1&format=2&style=
or
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024002&p_id=2219&seq=1&format=2&style=

Fuck, John Iburg. Before you spaz, why don't read the post? Mr Summa quoted Sony with this:

"Copy-protected Blu-ray video discs can only output at 1080p using an HDMI cable connected to a device that is compatible with the HDCP standard."

You want 1080p Blu-Ray playback? Your going to need a God damn HDMI cable. Not included with the system.

lol @6

Sony's been touting HD and 1080p and Blu-Ray all over the place, acting like it's the hottesting thing in video games. You'd think, with a $600 cable they'd have the courtesy to include a cable to use the fucking thing.

Jeff-

If the cables are so cheap...then why isn't sony providing you with one? Do you get the point? Your paying $600 I repeat SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS for this console, and sony won't even provide you with the measly little cable to connect it with HDMI. Imagine if MS had released the much hyped HD capable 360 WITHOUT the Component HD Cables. With as much hype as sony has been putting behind 1080p graphics for them to not include a cable is just cheap.

The s-video comparison you made makes no sense. When PS1 came out sony wasn't rambling on and on about how next gen gaming isn't possible without S-Video.

Er, $600 console.

If you have an 1080p HDTV and you bought a PS3 $40 don't matter. You guys need to stop bitching about Sony, it's really unbecoming for Joystiq as a whole.

Regula Oblique:

That's because Joystiq needs hits - give em' a break, alright? I mean, they are a company, they need money, business, profit, mazari, gold, whatever. And journalists probably get a bonus for this kind of "news".

Anyway, this is a non-issue. IF anyone has 1080p capable TV, they have the buck to buy an extra HDMI cable. If someone is saving the 600 for a PS3 but doesn't have a 1080p capable TV, or even an HDTV, who fucking cares? I don't think anyone buys the 600 PS3 solely for HDMI. I want the 600 version for the 60 GB HDD and WiFi, the HDMI output is simply a good extra to have for the future. Why the future? HDMI is not even necessary right now for Blu-ray 1080p output, regardless of what the PS3 website says; the website says so to prevent Sony from being sued, but HDMI won't be required till PS3 and 360 are both in their late years (i.e. when 720 and PS4 come out). By then, both 720 and PS4 will have the ability to read both Blu-ray and HD-DVD discs (which might not be mandatory anyway).

Almost all Blu Ray Discs will not be utilizing HDCP until around 2012 I belive. so... is this just nit picking?

Why should Sony ship a console with a cable that a overwhelming majority of consumers cannot use yet anyway?

dredub-

then why is sony shipping a console whose most touted feature is useless to an equally overwhelming majority of consumers?

Seriously over dramatic... doesn't bother me. Most people like to buy their own cables anyway, custom for their setup. If you have an HD display, a quality cable won't break the bank.

This piece of information has absolutely no effect on my decision to opt for the Wii60 this fall and sit on the fence with the PS3.

I CANNOT afford to get a TV that would take advantage of this console. I plan on purchasing an HDTV this fall/winter, but I'm in the 1,200 - 2,200 range - I don't think 1080P is available in my economic bracket.

Breaking news!! Nintendo isn't shipping the component cable with the Wii System! Also, in other news, people who can afford a $600(700 dollar console plus tax) game system can probably afford a 30 dollar cable.

@ Jeff:

How DARE you use reason and logic at a time like this. Do you gain some kind of pleasure from robbing from us the ability to flip out over tiny things like this?!? This is an apocalyptic issue of astronomical proportions.

As long as they leave the hdmi port on the back intact and don't switch to a proprietary connection (ex. the xbox360 a/v port), I guess I'm alright with buying a cheap cable from monoprice.

However, I do agree with the people complaining about how Sony can't include a cable that costs a couple of bucks to make (if that) with a six hundred dollar system.

I know this isnt really directly related, but has Nintendo announced that they will have a Wii component cable available at launch? Whats the deal with the Gamecube and it's lack of component cable in the US? Someone educate me please.

Bad, bad Sony!

On a good note monoprice.com kicks all sorts of ass ;)

The only reason reason Joystiq is posting this is because the ps3 was supposed to come with this cable and now it's not. It's not them complaining about hafting to pay another 40 bucks.

Next thing you know, it won't be coming with any controllers...

"28. The only reason reason Joystiq is posting this is because the ps3 was supposed to come with this cable and now it's not. It's not them complaining about hafting to pay another 40 bucks."

Really? When did Sony officially announce that they would be packing in a HDMI cable with each PS3 sold?

*ahem* ...What?

First you hate on Sony because they're "forcing Bluray down your throats and not giving you options".

Now you're hating on Sony because they made the high-end cables optional?

"not everyone has a 1080p HDTV!! Curse you Sony for making me buy your BD player!". And now, "Curse you Sony for not giving me the cables to play movies on my non-existent 1080p HDTV that I don't have!".

Also: how much extra did you pay to get that official 360 cable to plug it into your computer monitor?

I'm somewhat of a Nintendo fanboy, but I'll back Sony up on this decision. It's not Sony's responsibility to make sure that you have everything you need to take advantage of all the features, otherwise they'd also have to include a high-def TV and surround sound system with every PS3. When you buy World of Warcraft at your local game store, it doesn't come with an ethernet cable or internet access. When you buy a video capture card for your PC, it doesn't come with a cable subscription. When you buy a DS, it doesn't come with screen protectors. When you buy a car, it doesn't come with a drivers license. Frankly, you should be grateful that they even include a composite cable as a standard-def solution.

@24

Incorrect, its not going to cost YOU 60 bucks, seeing that you know where to go, it will cost the guy who doesn't know 60 bucks. Let the buyer beware pplz. Free Market Economy is a bitch, ain't it? But that's the way things go

You couldn't expect sony to give something for free that they oculd package and sell for $50+ do you?

Yes, you can get HDMI cables cheap at monoprice, but the average consumer is gonna get suckered into buying the $50 to $100 cable that their b&m retailer will have on display. I actually overheard a BB employee telling a customer the only cable that would work properly with his new HDTV was the super over priced monster variety when there was a perfectly fine less expensive cable right next to it for about a third of the price.

The simple fact of the matter is the average consumer is really uniformed about new products and technology and is relying on the sales rep to help guide them through their new purchases. Most will get screwed over and spend too much money. The lucky ones will have well informed geek friends/coworkers/whatevers like us to steer them right....

To MATT.

If your really new what you were talking about you would remember that HDMI cables carry both Audio And VIDEO so just for the convience I have My HDMI cable going from my receiver to my TV and anything else plugs into the reciever.

What jealous you cant afford a setup like mine.

Not to pee your pants. It's just one of many marketing ploys big manufacturers use to rock the consumer boat. They keep all these little tricks in a barrel just until the 11 th hour when they feel they have made their point, then they do a complete 180, and make themselves look like real nice guys and offer the goodies after all! That's why the marketing people get paid the big bucks....lol

It's not a big deal, 1080p will go over the component cables anyway. It will only be an issue if the Blu-Ray publishers decide to implement the ICP tag on their movies, which they haven't yet and have agreed not to until 2012 I believe. So why should Sony include a cable that only 25% of the user base will utilise out of the box (at least this year anyway). Microsoft never included the component cable pack with the original Xbox, and was that an issue???

People who spend more than $20 on a 10' HDMI cable are idiots. It is a digital signal and does not degrade like an analog signal will.

Couple this will the thought that anything from Monster Cables is better than the cheap stuff you'd find at wal-mart. But hey, if you absolutely have to have the placebo effect with your home theater equipment, your e-penis will probably thank you.

Chiablo:
Digital signals sent over copper cabling are just as susceptable to interference as analog signals are. There's nothing special about them that allow them to move outside the realm of EM.

"Monster Cables is better than the cheap stuff you'd find at wal-mart"

Uhmm... they are. Do a home comparison with a decent video source (not a $20 walmart special VCR) and a decent TV (not a $75 walmart special TV).

They shielding on those $5 cables is worthless.

#7.

to the complete spaz who felt the need scream his wank end off about being able to transmit 1080p signals over component, sure it's technologically possible, but there are no HDTV units commercially available that will accept and display a 1080p image over a component connection. 1080i is as good as you're going to get without HDMI or DVI (which is sadly falling off the freaking table.

and as far as not getting the cable, it's not about the money. sure, you'd think anyone who is going to pay for a six hundred dollar console won't mind shelling out for an HDMI cable-- indeed, many of them would likely buy another, higher quality cable even if one _was_ included with the system.

the issue is value, as Sony is so famously pronouncing all the freaking time. no matter what a loss Sony is taking on the each box sold, the $600 SKU is _designed_ to a large extent to utilise that cable. when Microsoft launched the 360, each SKU included a different A/V cable. had Microsoft touted the whole "HD generation" and then only provided pack-in basic, interlaced-SDTV RCA jacks, people would've been furious. it's the same way here. Sony is selling this machine as a 1080p video game console-- indeed, it's one of the key differences, tied into BR, that the company has cited in explaining why we all need this thing so much. and for them not to include all the necessary parts in the box is just shady, no two ways about it.

_unless_

this is a scheme to slaughter the 360's attach rate. maybe you have to buy the console, power cord, HDMI cable, and headset all seperately.

"btw, digital cables are digital cables - they're either capable of carrying the signal properly or they're not. At shorter lengths, there's no reason to spend more than $10 on an HDMI cable."

that is simply not true. The standard Type A HDMI connector has 19 pins. There is a higher resolution version called Type B. the Type B has 29 pins and can carry more video channels. Type-B is designed to support resolutions higher than 1080p. The best HDMI cables have a much larger bandwidth than the cheap ones.
I could go on, but i'll just point you to the official HDMI FAQ

http://www.hdmi.org/consumer/faq.asp#general_hdmi

People who are justifying this must be buying into Sony's bullshit strategy. It doesn't change the fact Sony said the HD era doesn't start until they say. The least they could do is give you the cable for said era! It really shows a problem with this mish-mash of a machine, how many of these "awesome" features will they keep packed in the box?

If you can't buy a PS3 during launch, then just buy it on eBay for $1000+ and an HDMI cable for $5.00. Thats a bargain.

"While it certainly may not be a big deal for someone who has the dough to spend $600 on a game console in the first place"

Nope, that's it, fuck Sony.

~HotShotX

What I know: The higher end console, which I find is personally the more desirable of the two (since the base model is non upgradable) is gonna cost about $600. Then you'll probably want to pick up at least one game. There's a possibility you may want to tack on some accessories (HDMI cable or maybe an extra controller). Since it's a Blu-Ray player. Maybe even a movie. Add tax. Suddenly it's $800+ or maybe even close to $1000. OUCH.

I dunno what Sony is thinking with this one. I thought the PS2 was expensive at launch. For me, I'm waiting until the price drops before seriously considering the PS3. The only exception, absolutely amazing games appear to change my mind.

Bad Sony news, fanboys accusing Joystiq of being "anti-Sony" for reporting, y'know, news, accusing everyone *else* of being fanboys, ignoring any valid point that's detrimental to their denial, and general wank. Must be Monday.

Sad thing is, I can guess all this *before* looking at the comments.

I think that it is funny that a lot of people see the ever-growing price tag of the PS3 and think, "Wow, sucks to be poor. Good thing I am so rich and have all sorts of fancy gadgets!" These people see this news and are like, "So what? You can get one online really cheap anyway. Who cares if your average Joe has to pay a lot?" What they don't realize is that it is all of the average Joes in the world that make up the majority of the gaming market. They will go to the store and the retarded Best Buy employee will tell them that they will have to buy the $120 Monster HDMI cable and all sorts of other stuff in order to use their new PS3. This will frighten people off, and when they don't buy PS3s, third parties will loose money, and when they lose money, they will make less games. Sony being stupid = less fun on PS3

It truly saddens me to see people so blind to what could happen. I like all games, but I think PS3 is going to be the start of a downward spiral for Sony. Brand loyalty means nothing, or else Atari, Sega, and Nintendo would be in very different positions right now.

"43. People who are justifying this must be buying into Sony's bullshit strategy. It doesn't change the fact Sony said the HD era doesn't start until they say. The least they could do is give you the cable for said era! It really shows a problem with this mish-mash of a machine, how many of these "awesome" features will they keep packed in the box?"

No, it's just that there are bigger things to whine about than having to buy a 7-20 cable to go along with a 600++ dollar console. Oh, and for people out there saying that the average consumer doesnt know how to find a cheaper HDMI cable on the Internet. Well, all I have to say about that is, in this country, stupid people pay more, and people who actually do research save money, That is the American way.

If you people don't like the PS3, or Sony, and you are outraged about having to pay for a 20 HDMI cable, than just don't buy the damn console. I swear, it seems like a lot of people who are bashing on Sony are children who really do want a PlayStation 3, but are mad because their parents can't/won't buy the system for them, and they are too lazy to save money for 6 months to buy the damn thing. So they vent on Joystiq.

Random question for all you smart people out there:

$600 at launch probably means they're leaving a few players in the US, Japan and Europe out of the equation.

A $600 price tag means they're leaving a LOT of people out of the equation anywhere in the world - trust me, I know people who don't make that much money in 6 months.

How much can they achieve in economies to scale to lower the price of the console to a reasonable price, where it REALLY is accessible to the mass market?

You guys remember how long it took the Xbox to drop in price? I cant remember but might be a good benchmark (timewise) to see how long it might take the PS3 to reach some decent pricing levels.

Actually I think the most interesting bit of this post is: "Copy-protected Blu-ray video discs can only output at 1080p using an HDMI cable connected to a device that is compatible with the HDCP standard." Emphasis on Copy-protected.

The fact that Sony doesn't include this cable shouldn't make you mad. It's the fact that you have to buy a proprietary, DRM cable to actually see the movies you bought.

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High-end PS3 shipping without HDMI cable

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