The real reason I started coming to this forum was to learn what people see in the PS3 (and I browse a few other forums as well for the same reason). But the more I try to actually read up on the PS3 through coming to forums like this... the more I just find Sony's effort to be bizzarely laughable. Some more great moments from this article:
"...we were interested in why Sony did not run the units with HDMI [...] we were told that it isn't easy to get a hold of HDMI-equipped TVs."
-The Sony corporation itself (or its representation?) has trouble acquiring HDMI televisions and cables? And they're expecting consumers to have them on a (fairly?) large scale? (Obviously, HDMI will be critical to getting the most out of BluRay...)
"...it was announced that the PS3 will use HDMI 1.3, [...] Current TVs generally use HDMI 1.1, which do not support these extensions and create significant audio noise when connected to a HDMI 1.3 device."
-So people who DO have HDMI now probably won't get all the system's features, and they'll have audio problems?
Please, someone, tell me I'm missing something here. Is there a way to make the PS3 compatible with both standards? I can't imagine they'd be dumb enough to shoot themselved in the foot so badly from the start- alienating fans who already purchased HDMI shead of time in preparation.
Even then, how many people are going to own HDMI 1.3 televisions anytime soon? Most HDTV enthusiasts seem to be enjoying their Component cables. And maybe even some DVI connections from time to time. But I work retail, and I've seen a total of one person ever even mention an HDMI port, and that person does high-end graphics work.
The Xbox 360 and probably the Revolution take advantage of HDTV, sure, but they don't require it to the extent that BluRay obviously will. The PS3 will HAVE to run on HDMI from what I've read- unless I'm totally off-base, the BluRay format requires those cables for content protection, and BluRay can't be played otherwise. Even if there was a downsampled signal for Component cables, the combination of current install base and potential HDMI version problems seems to say only a fraction of buyers will have the proper technology to display the system's true potential.
Or am I crazy?