Help a dad for father's day - PS3 Newbie

[ravensjeff]

I have two questions as I get ready to purchase a PS3 for my boys (alright it is for me too):

1) I am confused by this HDMI thing. My receiver, Denon AVR-1906, does not have HDMI input. It does have an optical input...whatever that is. What are my options?

2) Any advice on what to buy with the PS3 in terms of essential accessories? (i.e., specific controller types, etc)

Thanks in advance for you reply.

[Michio]

pretty sure this optical input your talking about is the audio. Since you dont have hdmi best thing next to it is the component cables. Err red green blue red white.

[ravensjeff]

Do the component cables come with the PS3 or does it just come with composite cables?

[foker]

You have optical out on PS3,..you are able to setup to pass sound through optical and picture trough Hdmi or analog(component,scart,composit),..essentials: -* maby one extra Dualshock3 controler, if you live in europe dont bother, because we still only have sixaxsis available ,.. - *Metal gear solid 4(For dad), -*Uncharted: Drakes fortune , - *Ratchet and Clank: Tools of destruction(for kids age 6 -85), -* Grand theft auto 4(For dad ONLY)

[tuaamin13]

I have two questions as I get ready to purchase a PS3 for my boys (alright it is for me too):

1) I am confused by this HDMI thing. My receiver, Denon AVR-1906, does not have HDMI input. It does have an optical input...whatever that is. What are my options?

2) Any advice on what to buy with the PS3 in terms of essential accessories? (i.e., specific controller types, etc)

Thanks in advance for you reply.

Since your receiver doesn't have HDMI, you need component (red/green/blue/red/white like someone said). It doesn't come with the PS3, it's like a $40 extra. There's no difference between the one for PS2 and PS3, so if you find either it's all good. You have optical input, also known as "TOSLink." The PS3 can output over that for up to 5.1 surround sound (for 7.1 you'd need HDMI).

As far as your input options, you can either plug in the PS3 with HDMI straight to the TV, and run the optical cable to your receiver, or you can use component to your receiver (or tv) and optical to your receiver. Optical transmits up to 5.1, the red/white cables won't do true 5.1

For cables, definitely check out www.monoprice.com (http://www.monoprice.com) I'm not sure if they have the PS3 component cables, but they definitely have HDMI and TOSLink cables for dirt cheap [plus they're as good as the expensive ones in store too].

For accessories, don't buy the PS3 cooling fan things. They hurt more than help. If you buy a 2nd (or more) controllers, a Sixaxis gets the longest battery life and is probably the cheapest, but the Dualshock 3 (not 2, as that's for PS2) has rumble in addition to the motion sensing that the Sixaxis has. The dualshock 3 is like $55 MSRP, though Amazon and them have it cheaper. The Sixaxis is basically clearanced. There's no other accessories that I can think of atm that are "must haves." Some people like the Nyko controller charger, so you don't have to plug your controller into your PC or leave your PS3 on to charge the controllers.

Oh, if you get Rock Band and a 40gb PS3, you'll need a cheap USB hub. Any generic hub will work.

[foker]

sorry tuamin13, but the first paragraph makes no sence to me,...you get composite cable in the box,..ps: thanx for correcting my typo.

[UberNerD20]

well i dont really know of the first part as my tv is crap, but the second would be another controller or 2 depending on how many kids, a headset if your gamin online, and maybe Rachet and clank or starwars/indiana jones lego games for the boys. Warhawk or GTA for you.

[ravensjeff]

Thank you all for your advice and help. tuaamin13, your reply was particularly helpful...I think I have a good understanding now.

[tuaamin13]

sorry tuamin13, but the first paragraph makes no sence to me,...you get composite cable in the box,..ps: thanx for correcting my typo.
It's all good; just didn't want him to pick up a DS2 and get home and find out you either need the adapter or to take it back

well i dont really know of the first part as my tv is crap, but the second would be another controller or 2 depending on how many kids, a headset if your gamin online, and maybe Rachet and clank or starwars/indiana jones lego games for the boys. Warhawk or GTA for you.
Ah yeah, headset. I forgot about that. USB works fine (you won't get game audio, just voice chat out of it), or you can use the bluetooth headset you use with your phone.

[NYFAN]

Well Tuaamin got you covered on the technical aspect's of you problem...

Now as far as accessories go you will definatly need another controller or 2... Also check out the Pelican Chargestation for your charging need's.

If you want a headset go with purchasing Warhawk if you plan on playing online.. It comes with a headset..

Also check out Uncharted: Drakes fortune and Ratchet and Clank: Future Tools of Destruction... (My 3yr old loves that game...)

Also most importantly

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!!!!:cool::cool:

[admartian]

Many have already posted useful advice, so I'm beaten to it.

All I can say is Happy Father's Day and GET MGS4! :p

[tuaamin13]

buy a ps3 optical cable. if thats make sense

Actually any optical cable will work. There's no need to get the (generally higher priced) PS3 marked one. Same with HDMI cables etc. The only reason you need the PS3/PS2 component cable is because of the unique connector that attaches to the back of the Playstation.

Here's one for $4.72. I use it with my PS3
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10229&cs_id=1022901&p_id=1575&seq=1&format=2


Compare to $19.99 for the official Sony
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16879261092&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-PS3+Accessories-_-Sony+-+PlayStation-_-79261092

[menefreghista]

Do the component cables come with the PS3 or does it just come with composite cables?

ps3 comes with a sony branded composite cable so you're going to have to buy component cables but remember that not all component cables are created equal and some may not output 1080p 8)

[tuaamin13]

ps3 comes with a sony branded composite cable so you're going to have to buy component cables but remember that not all component cables are created equal and some may not output 1080p 8)
No, they do output 1080p, it's just whether or not the device restricts 1080p to HDMI only, which I'm pretty sure the PS3 does not. For instance, the nvidia 8 series graphics cards will only output 1080i over component, but the card is capable of outputting 1080p.

What matters in analogue cables (composite, component, etc) is proper shielding, or else you start getting a degradation of picture quality. But if you're not running the cables more than 6 feet don't worry about it.