PS3: HD cables not included

Gamers looking to get the best picture out of Sony's premium PlayStation 3 package will need to shell out extra for proper hookups.

The price of Sony's upcoming PlayStation 3 has been the subject of much debate. The system will come in $499 and $599 packages, the latter including a larger hard drive, built-in wireless network capabilities, and an HDMI port. However, according to Sony's own official PS3 Web site, the system won't come with the cables necessary to carry an HDMI signal, or any high-definition signal, for that matter.

According to the double-asterisked bit of small print on the page, "Video output in HD requires cables and an HD-compatible display, both sold separately. 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. HDMI cable not included. Additional equipment may be required to use the HDMI connector."

HDMI is a video/audio interface that allows high-def content to be displayed in uncompressed form over a single cable. It also supports High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP), an antipiracy measure expected to be encoded into Blu-ray discs. Those discs will also make use of Image Constraint Token (ICT) technology, which would artificially reduce the output resolution of any signal not sent over a secured connection like HDMI.

Currently, Microsoft's premium Xbox 360 comes packed with an HD component video cable, while purchasers of the Xbox 360 core system get a standard A/V cable and can pick up HD-compatible cables for $39.99. GameStop is also currently accepting preorders for a "universal" game-console HDMI cable that will cost $99.99. [UPDATE: The GameStop HDMI cable listing has since been pulled.]

That said, the premium PlayStation 3 has a standard HDMI output, meaning it can use regular HDMI cables. Those can be found for far lower prices on sites such as eBay, where a 15-foot HDMI-to-HDMI cable can go for under $10.

913 Comments

  • HonorOfGod

    Posted Sep 29, 2009 11:08 am PT

    @hart704... just becouse you dont have one dont mean we wont get it...

  • hart704

    Posted Oct 25, 2006 6:47 pm PT

    no hdmi cable with hdtv either so stop whining crybabies

    you are not getting a ps3 anyway so it does not matter what you think

  • Monkey316

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 4:10 am PT

    all i can say is lol at sony

  • Omihalcon

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 9:52 pm PT

    Sony can't seem to get anything right lately...

  • Lightandarkside

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 4:30 pm PT

    LOL LMAO first they say only 500,000 instead of 2 mill will be shipped and now this lol **** sony i love you but danm

  • mikley28

    Posted Sep 10, 2006 12:22 pm PT

    Dalym3n, you won't have the component cables nor the HDMI 1.3 cables/adaptor in your house already... as of now they don't exist.

    SStrunks14, the x360 premium DID come with component cables so you can see it in HD. You dont NEED HDMI to see things in 1080i. The point of this topic is that there will be NO HD cables included. So if you want HD then you need to buy another $ony product to connect your PS3 to your tv via component cable using the "A/V Multi out" jack.

  • The_Weekend

    Posted Sep 10, 2006 8:28 am PT

    Anyone who believes that that cable will be given free ought to have his head checked.

    Isn't this a chance for Sony to release their "official" cable and charge a premium for it? It's so silly to think they would pass this chance off to earn more from us ...

    It's okay for me to continue using the free ones until i get such a tv and then I will buy

  • badass_gamer

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 8:09 pm PT

    I saw HDMI monster cables for $100 at Best Buy and it was only 4 feet long.

  • SStrunks14

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 8:02 pm PT

    x360 didnt come with no HDMI, why not bash both sony and microsoft?

  • Riverwolf007

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 3:43 pm PT

    Ok paragraph 3 says the signal will be downgraded if you dont have the correct type of hdmi cable, so how much is it degraded? 720p would still be hi-def so it must be lower than that since the point is to copy protect the hi-def signal. so if i plug this thing in using component cables its going to have less resolution than my original xbox that showed 480p and 720p? Did the article mean movies only or is it games too? It says "video output in HD requires cables and a HD compatable display" To me that means any HD not just movie playback.

  • ZosoFan

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 3:04 pm PT

    Wow, sony is screwing themselfs!

  • peeweeshift

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 2:23 pm PT

    leviathanwing said
    "who here has a 1080p tv... yeah, no huh? yeah, shut up. "

    sorry for the dp but man can't you be less of a jerk. i for one own and hdtv and you shouldn't swear just because people have their own opinions.

  • peeweeshift

    Posted Sep 9, 2006 2:19 pm PT

    dalym3n said
    "the hdmi cable only will be needed to output 1080p in blu-ray VIDEO copyright discs... games can be output in 1080p in AV normal connectors so why should they give you the hdmi cable if the ps3 is NOT an blu-ray video player, its a next gen console that can play blu-ray video discs...other hd cables that you can need to play games in hd, you will need to buy them separately because those are not included and those are the important ones... but if you have and hdtv you should have those at home already... read and learn before you say alot of stupid things! besides that ... who here have a hdtv? not more than 10% ... 90% of cables would go to the box to catch dust... that is stupid! "

    you say this now but why do so many fans back up the console with arguements saying that it will display games ebtter than xbox 360s. This is what most of ps3s games had going for it. and more then 10 percent of people have hdtvs

  • dalym3n

    Posted Sep 8, 2006 10:27 am PT

    the hdmi cable only will be needed to output 1080p in blu-ray VIDEO copyright discs... games can be output in 1080p in AV normal connectors so why should they give you the hdmi cable if the ps3 is NOT an blu-ray video player, its a next gen console that can play blu-ray video discs...other hd cables that you can need to play games in hd, you will need to buy them separately because those are not included and those are the important ones... but if you have and hdtv you should have those at home already... read and learn before you say alot of stupid things! besides that ... who here have a hdtv? not more than 10% ... 90% of cables would go to the box to catch dust... that is stupid!

  • mikley28

    Posted Sep 7, 2006 9:56 pm PT

    No winslodcamragy, I got the point, I was directing my comment to the people who were saying you can use the $10 HDMI cable for the last couple days. No component cables make it even worse.

    And reading the last statement in this news item, it tells me that either Gamespot is lying about the standard HDMI cable OR Sony is lying about using the HDMI 1.3 spec.

    Maltnut, Sony is forcing it all down the consumer's throats. MS gives the gamer the choice. Most gamers do not care about blu ray or HD DVD, there is NO game out there that fills DVD9 to capacity so they do not NEED the next gen drives. Some people don't need Wi-Fi because of the number of walls in their house, they add the costs of repeaters in the house then that also mounts up into the cost of each console. Why use Wi-fi and cost about $200 (router and repeater) when I can just wire the whole house with a $40 box of Cat 5 cable.

  • grandgundam3

    Posted Sep 7, 2006 2:20 pm PT

    Sony must not be all that serious about staying the top dog, because if Sony's main competitor(not to diss Nintendo, they're on their on path with the Wii) is including HD cables, if only in the high end package, doesn't it make sense to match them, or one-up them by giving both packages HD cables?

  • bobreturns

    Posted Sep 7, 2006 1:01 pm PT

    thats stupid

  • winslodacamragy

    Posted Sep 7, 2006 11:41 am PT

    mikley28, i think your missing the point. this isn'tjust missing the HDMI cable. it's missing any HD cable's whatsoever, meaning it will not be able to hook up to an HD set and display and HD pictures unless you buy an HDMI cable or component cables. While the HDMI port will work with any cable, you must buy a component cable that will work with sony's propriety a/v out port. So no matter what, if you want HD content from the PS3, you have to shell out money up and above the 600.

  • leviathanwing

    Posted Sep 7, 2006 11:40 am PT

    who here has a 1080p tv... yeah, no huh? yeah, shut up.

  • eddy_jr

    Posted Sep 7, 2006 11:19 am PT

    Damn, Sony is pullin' out a lot of freakin' bullcrap... If we, the Sony faithful, get dissapointed like this, how are they expecting to reach more people?... Anywayz, Im still gettin' my PS3... But Sony ain't acting too wise if u ask me...

  • maltnut

    Posted Sep 7, 2006 11:15 am PT

    Funny about all the price talk, if you buy a WiFi adapter and the expected HD-DVD add-on for the 360, that's the same price as the PS3 high end system right there, only the PS3 already comes with it. And the PS3 is still only costing the same, if not less than, a single High end computer graphics card. There's really not a difference between the cost points in the next generation systems.

  • tidyspidey

    Posted Sep 7, 2006 10:41 am PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

  • mikley28

    Posted Sep 7, 2006 10:32 am PT

    One thing the people who are talking about the $15 cable are missing.... THe PS3 is said to be using the HDMI 1.3 spec which requires a different sized plug. So that means about a $100 cable OR some kind of adapter.

    As states in the 2nd paragraph here...
    http://www.avrev.com/news/0706/06.hdmi13.shtml

  • dalym3n

    Posted Sep 7, 2006 9:56 am PT

    dont you all realise that as microsoft ... sony is also losing money in itch console sold on the launch and probably in the first year of business??? why care about a $10 to $15 cable that only few are gonna use it now... and if you can afford a ps3 you can also get a $15 cable that you probably already have at home if you can afford an hdmi tv... this is only a subject to ms and nintendo fanboys to talk... doesnt matter for me and probably for 95% of future ps3 buyers

  • XJRockcrawler

    Posted Sep 7, 2006 8:58 am PT

    absolutely retarded to not include AT LEAST hd component cables. For the price, they should include Monster HD cables, lol. PS3 will do "True HD" so they say, but not out of the box apparently.

  • LordAndrew

    Posted Sep 7, 2006 7:26 am PT

    Way to screw up again, Sony.

  • winslodacamragy

    Posted Sep 7, 2006 6:26 am PT

    The funny thing is, Sony's biggest atrocity is being overlooked. They aren't including any HD compatible cables.

    Read the fine print:
    http://www.us.playstation.com/PS3/specs.html

  • Killer4DaBizkit

    Posted Sep 7, 2006 6:19 am PT

    Overpriced system without HD cables to run what the PS3 is meant to be??? COME ON! Put 75$ more, at the price it is now, it can't get worst!

    P.S. 69GOD69 , make a point, not a stupid 16 years old shout.

  • UltraWoody

    Posted Sep 7, 2006 12:55 am PT

    Whatever.

    If there are enough fools to pay for an over-priced, new system such as the PS3, they deserve to be taken for as much as possible. Fools.

  • EvIlKiNgKoOpA

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 11:21 pm PT

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.PS3_WILL_PWN...............YOUR WALLET.

  • jemini12

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 11:10 pm PT

    "Poor people should just go to an arcade or something. Leave the best gaming system to the BIG boys. If you can't afford the drugs, you shouldn't use them"

    Dawg you're out of bounds on that one! Not everyone can afford a PS3. And even if you can afford it, a lot of people aren't willing to shell out almost a grand for a game system. You need to keep your little spoiled insensitive comments to yourself homeboy! A lot of people here work hard for their $ therefore they want to make sure if they pay $800- $900 @ Bestbuy for a system, it's well worth it. I don't care how "rich" you are, $600 for the system, $120 for 2 games, another $150 on extra stuff, that ain't peanuts. You're looking at a good grand right there.

  • neilcollins

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 10:08 pm PT

    Oh man... Final Fantasy XIII will be expensive... T_T

  • KandyKornMan

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 9:42 pm PT

    i dont see the big deal in not having these cable with the system,not all people have a hdmi connection or a hdtv.but yeah you shouldnt even bother using a standard tv with this thing.so there saving some money by doing this because many products dont come with cables that are needed.the cables would be cheap anyways to avoid some stupid company from blaming sony for loss of sales or whatever.

  • jazilla

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 8:54 pm PT

    I have never owned a Sony. Whew.

  • Jedi_Osborn

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 8:23 pm PT

    And in the latest news, the new sony system will not ship with a power button. prospective buyers will have to pay an extra $20 to get the official sony Super Ultra Mega HDMI power button.

  • crazy_boy166

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 8:13 pm PT

    not surprised lol

  • rykh

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 8:01 pm PT

    Cutting all corners sony is, but you have to expect it. Blu ray isnt cheap, and if they lost a few bucks worth of cables for every system as well that would add up.

  • metdevthegamer

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 7:45 pm PT

    That sucks.

  • alberto2045

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 7:26 pm PT

    omg like i knew this since monday

  • longhairbilly

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 7:18 pm PT

    Have fun selling your overpriced system Sony.. This will be the first system I do not get on launch day in the past 20 years.. Every console from the snes, gameboy, dreamcast ect... I have had on launch day.. You messed my streak up, hang your heads in shame.

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 7:07 pm PT

    thats ok

  • dreadkght

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 6:55 pm PT

    For all of those people who are telling other people to suck it up and be able to afford a cable and stuff like that, no thanks. I can certainly afford the $600 system and the cables but do I really wanna spend that much of my hard earned money on a system that has boring launch games, a controller with no rumble, and a lame excuse for motion sensitivity. The answer hell no, I have a 360 and I've been happy with the system since launch and I have all of my hookups. The only PS3's I'll be buying are the ones I'm going to be selling on ebay for a profit. I'll also be picking up a wii to keep. But ya Sony fans keep telling yourself hey its fair its a next gen console and its gunna own... whatever you need to do to jusitify your purchase.

  • juanpacheco3012

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 5:49 pm PT

    too bad for those gamers that will only have $500 or $600 but not me i will buy the cables too .. is the same for xbox 360 because if u want high qualaty stuff u need to buy more stuff for it .. so at the end it's the same ... and they don't cost $99 that's why we have something call eBay in the internet

  • tashpool

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 5:04 pm PT

    So what, if you actually have a 1080p tv then you should have no problem buying or already having an HDMI cable. Most people don't have this type of tv yet, so of course they're not going to include it at an additional cost. A business always plays to the lowest common denominator.

  • john221978

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 4:45 pm PT

    That's Crap!

  • Zero254

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 4:18 pm PT

    Sony doesn't deliver to me.
    The games made for their system/ OMG WE CAN REPLACE PCS!
    Do.

  • jonjon81

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 4:15 pm PT

    Screw em! And all you holes who like to say stuff like "Leave the best gaming system to the BIG boys" (what a TOTAL scumbag) can choke on it.

  • VirginFingers

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 4:07 pm PT

    It's just some cables. I had planed on getting good quality ones anyways. It's cheap of sony, but this isn't like they canceled blu-ray. You have the choice of getting cheaper $20 or so cables or the higher end ones like $150, which is what I was going to get. I think most of us can afford a $20 cable, and yes it would be nice if it came with the system, but I don't think it deserves this much hating.

  • TWOC2689

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 4:02 pm PT

    More bad new after another Ha Ha.

  • PnutJones

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 3:58 pm PT

    Thats ok B/C i dont have HD.

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