Consoles and HDMI cables

[MasterBlaster76]

My mate has now given me his PS3 - that's going in my nephew's room and the Xbox 360 is moving in with me: nephew games online more than me so it makes sense; online is free on the PS3 and he wanted to switch back anyway.

Now, one of the things that annoy me about console gaming is reading text on the screen! For example, in UFC the text is so small and blurry that you have to keep getting up to read it - and there is a lot to read in the career mode. This would drive me mad with things like Fifa's Management mode, so I'm trying to find out whether an HDMI cable helps with that? I have heard it makes the text even smaller (albeit clearer)!!

I've seen two at play.com: one is ?4.99 and has got good reviews, but has no shielding, so my stereo's speakers might cause issues. The other is ?11.99 and is fully shielded - both have gold plated connectors.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[SciD]

HDMI will allow you to run games in higher resolution and utilize your HD TV capabilities to fullest. I have not actually tried playing without HDMI cable on my PS3 so dont know the answer but yes the difference in text reading was felt immediately when I switched over from normal 29 inch flat TV to HD TV.

 

[pcfan123]

Its pointless to have a ps3 and not use HDMI cables. ESPECIALLY if you have an HDTV.

 

[SciD]

Its pointless to have a ps3 and not use HDMI cables. ESPECIALLY if you have an HDTV.

Yeah I will try tomorrow though. Surfing net will give fair idea.

 

[pcfan123]

Don't know much about this stuff but from my understanding you need the HDMI cable to play in "HD" (720p, 1080p, 1080i). Without it , it plays in 480p which is a Standard definition TV.

Those specs might only be specific to the US though.

 

[SciD]

Its same everywhere I guess

 

[sohum]

Component video cables can carry resolutions up to 1080p. You don't require an HDMI cable to get that.

 

[pcfan123]

So whats the point of an HDMI cable?

 

[SciD]

Dont need separate cables for audio and video. I guess

 

[pcfan123]

That can't be it. Are you sure component cables can get full HD? Ive never heard of that being the case, and if thats the truth then the Besy Buy guy ripped me off.

 

[SciD]

I think there would be difference in case of consoles and will confirm it by testing only. For cable TV connection or Non HD devices (DVD Player) it actually does not matter if its DVI, HDMI or Component Cable.

 

[pcfan123]

Component video cables can carry resolutions up to 1080p. You don't require an HDMI cable to get that.

I just checked and don't think that is the case with consoles, or atleast the ps3.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

HDMI will allow you to run games in higher resolution and utilize your HD TV capabilities to fullest. I have not actually tried playing without HDMI cable on my PS3 so dont know the answer but yes the difference in text reading was felt immediately when I switched over from normal 29 inch flat TV to HD TV.

Do you think the text was smaller, or was it just clearer and legible without having to get up to read it? HDMI will have the same effect with an Xbox 360, yes?

Edit: 29in, eh? Nice. I have a 26in myself; when I got it, it was the biggest I could fit in the space. Since then, I've moved my room round a bit and could easily fit a 32in in there now. Next time. 26in is fine for now though.

 

[SciD]

Do you think the text was smaller, or was it just clearer and legible without having to get up to read it? HDMI will have the same effect with an Xbox 360, yes?

Edit: 29in, eh? Nice. I have a 26in myself; when I got it, it was the biggest I could fit in the space. Since then, I've moved my room round a bit and could easily fit a 32in in there now. Next time. 26in is fine for now though.

Yeah text is smaller but more clear. The size difference is not much. Even though I went from 29" to 32" I know my eyes appreciate it.

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Dont need separate cables for audio and video. I guess

That's also the case with SCART though, isn't it? All I need is for the text to be sharper, and the overall graphics to have a more crisp look about them. Would you guys say that Xbox 360/PS3 + HDMI more or less measures up to the picture quality of a PC monitor?