Ever heard of HDMI bricking a PS3?

[Bajaratt]

Some background:

I had my cable box replaced yesterday, the thing was constantly losing the HDCP handshake so it was unwatchable; it'd constantly be showing a black screen and no sound. The cable guy who did the swap told me to just use component cables because they didn't have the problem. I told him that I'd rather have the better picture quality, and he replied "but they're the same resolution," and would not be swayed by tall tales of better detail and more realistic colors across HDMI. Now, obviously the man is a moron, although there is a surprising number of morons who think that component cables are just as good as HDMI, but he also talked about his PS3.

According to him, his friend's PS3 got bricked because of a flaw in HDMI; so he always used the component cables on his PS3.

Now my question is this: has anyone ever heard of such a thing? I could understand maybe the HDMI port went bad or didn't work, but breaking the whole system?

He also talked some smack about my TV, but at this point I knew he was a complete idiot and didn't pay him any attention. But I was still curious if anyone had heard of such a thing with the PS3's.

 

[Tymon]

I certainly wouldn't think so. Doesn't really make any sense for the cables to ruin a console, most you could do would be to ruin the cables, at least, that's what I can tell.

 

[Malagra]

Maybe if there was a short somewhere in the HDMI part of the line, or something to that effect, but I've never heard of something like that.

 

[Gerry]

Never heard of such a case where the HDMI bricked a PS3. I use a pretty standard HDMI cable for my PS3 and it works just fine.

 

[Myrrh]

My first PS3 died before I got HDMI but I think I got one of those one in a million PS3 glitches. I haven't had any issues with HDMI yet with my new Ps3.

 

[masterorion]

considering that the hdmi port is output only, the hdmi or other internal components of the ps3 would have to have shorted out. now as far as the picture quality being different or the same between hdmi and component....well, some of what he said is ALMOST correct. when it comes to alot of ps3 games, they max out at 720. which is what component runs its resolution at. on the other hand, if the game has the ability for 1080, then its obvious you wont get the best possible picture. but, will you actually notice a difference....probably not. if there is a difference, its not going to be a huge jump. compare the look of some of the ps3 games. cod4 supports up to 1080p. madden supports up to 720. both look just as good as the other.

personally, i havent used component. its just much easier to use hdmi since it supports audio also. so, on a personal level, i havent tested it on my tv. however, a buddy of mine is using component on his 42 inch lcd. i dont see a difference between his resolution and mine.

 

[Malagra]

I notice a decent difference on my monitor between component and hdmi sources.
But I also run optical audio, so I can't comment on the sound.

 

[Bajaratt]

considering that the hdmi port is output only, the hdmi or other internal components of the ps3 would have to have shorted out. now as far as the picture quality being different or the same between hdmi and component....well, some of what he said is ALMOST correct. when it comes to alot of ps3 games, they max out at 720. which is what component runs its resolution at. on the other hand, if the game has the ability for 1080, then its obvious you wont get the best possible picture. but, will you actually notice a difference....probably not. if there is a difference, its not going to be a huge jump. compare the look of some of the ps3 games. cod4 supports up to 1080p. madden supports up to 720. both look just as good as the other.

personally, i havent used component. its just much easier to use hdmi since it supports audio also. so, on a personal level, i havent tested it on my tv. however, a buddy of mine is using component on his 42 inch lcd. i dont see a difference between his resolution and mine.

Comparing them side by side, it's very obvious that HDMI is better. Yes, Component can carry a 1080i signal across it, but the HDMI has sharper edges and more detail. The component colors are brighter, but the HDMI colors are much more realistic. Especially watching blu-rays or playing games, HDMI is clearly superior.

1080 looks much better than 720, even more so when you use proper cabling.

 

[exodusamphi]

The guys friend probably had some static on his self when he was plugging in the hdmi and shorted the system.

Friend toasted his comp plugging in a USB cable, so it happens.

No way just using the cable did it though.

 

[Taurothar]

I actually hear regular reports of cheapo cables causing handshake issues, up to and including complete port failure. Think of it as though you were using a garden hose to put out a 4 alarm fire, it just doesn't work. I'm not saying that ONLY monster can handle such a volume, but they're one of the only companies that guarantees it. I probably wouldn't buy their stuff if I didn't get such a ridiculous discount from them, but they do actually put a lot more into their cables than your generic 10 dollar hdmi.

Just the other day I had a customer bring in the cable Comcast gave them with their HD-DVR, it was actually a pretty nice cable with quality connectors, but because the tv was drawing so much of a signal off it, it would cause the colors to flicker with one spectrum missing. I'd never seen anything like it, but now I understand better why that happens.

As for the topic on hand, you most likely cannot brick a system because the type of cable used. I'm almost positive the drain on an analog signal is higher than that of a digital signal, making RCA style jacks more at risk of over drawing or backfeeding. And to make it even less plausible is the fact that any half smart engineer knows to put a backfeed safeguard in place so that the port blows, but the board is saved and it's a cheap fix.

 

[masterorion]

Comparing them side by side, it's very obvious that HDMI is better. Yes, Component can carry a 1080i signal across it, but the HDMI has sharper edges and more detail. The component colors are brighter, but the HDMI colors are much more realistic. Especially watching blu-rays or playing games, HDMI is clearly superior.

1080 looks much better than 720, even more so when you use proper cabling.

my bad. i was on the understanding component did 720 max. did a little research and MOST tvs(not all) will only support 720 through component. and i totally agree. HDMI is the best way to go. personally, i havent seen a HUGE difference between them.