With 3D being pushed by manufacturers as the next big thing. There are a few questions that consumers will no doubt be asking. One if which is what version of HDMI cable will be needed to support 3D display? Find out the answer to this question here.
The new 3D technology is coming at us very quickly. So it is not surprising it is bringing a lot of disarray and uncertainty,
especially when it comes it older hardware and it's ability to handle 3D pictures. Many people state if you want to enjoy 3D at Full 1080p video resolution, the new HDMI 1.4 cable is needed. And that the HDMI 1.3 cable will only produce a video resolution of 1080i for 3D.
If this was the case, older Blu-ray Players like PlayStation 3, which will become 3D capable in September 2010 and has a HDMI 1.3 output, will not be sufficient to produce images of 1080p when playing a 3D Blu-ray Disc. As of now, Sony's PlayStation 3 is the only older Blu-ray Disc Player that will support 3D Blu-rays. All other 3D Blu-ray Disc Players are 2010 models and come equipped with the necessary hardware and codec already installed.
The fact is, that HDMI 1.3 cables can handle 3D output. As long as the HDMI cable you are using is rated "High Speed" or better it will support Blu-ray 3D output at Full HD 1080p resolution. Two main components for a source device to handle 3D output are codes and meta data. Sony will have to includes these enhances via their 3D Firmware upgrade. Judging by pass upgrades, such as providing support for internal decoding of DTS-HD Master Audio, Sony should have no problems accomplishing this task.
The codec used to store 3D is Multiview Video Coding or MVC. It produces a Full 1080p frame for each eye and using only 50 percent more storage space than a 2D disc. The PS3 was created before the MVC codec, so Sony has to implement MVC support without changing any hardware. Also required from the PlayStation 3 is the ability to produce and receive, from the 3D display, the correct meta data in the communication which happens between any HDMI-equipped devices.
This communication is done via Extended Display Identification Data or EDID. It transfers information sent from a video display to a source over E-DDC lines to describe its capabilities. A 3DTV will used the EDID to see if they are 3D capable, and if the PlayStation 3 will work with the TV. Basically the PS3 must be capable to understand and react to this new EDID value sent by the 3DTV.
Once Sony has made the firmware available for you to upgrade your PS3 with the new 3D technology, you should have no issues with using a HDMI 1.3 cable. According to most experts, a HDMI cable should not be a great concern for consumers in regards to 3D. Mainly due to the fact HDMI cables and hardware are not being marketed with version numbers (1.3,1.4) anymore. When purchasing a HDMI cable you should come across one of the following: HDMI Standard, HDMI High Speed, HDMI Standard with Ethernet, HDMI High Speed with Ethernet, and HDMI Standard Automotive.
Instead of deciding what HDMI version number you need, your focus should be on what feature you require support for. Whether it be for Deep Color, Audio Return Channel or 3D. A High Speed HDMI cable will be able to transfer the signal from your PS3 to a 3DTV. Finding a High Speed HDMi cable should not be a problem since the vast majority of HDMI cables made and sold during the past 3 years have been High Speed HDMI cables.
*** One thing to be concerned of is that you will not be able to transfer a Blu-ray 3D signal through to a non 3D Audio/Video receiver. Because these older HDMI 1.3 A/V receiver do not have the HDMI EDID language for 3D display capabilities, they are unable to transfer information from display to the source device (3D Blu-ray Player). A good work around to this problem would be to buy Blu-ray Players with dual HDMI outputs, such as Panasonic's DMP-BDT350 or Samsung's BD-C7900. ***
