PS3 HDMI nonsense (help)

[CFFJR]

So I've had a problem with my PS3 for a long time that I've simply been putting up with, but I'm sick of doing that, so here's the deal.

I've got the system hooked up with a monoprice hdmi cable. I use these things all over the house, they work great.

However, every once in a while when the system is on (the timing varies) the picture will cut out to a black screen. It stays like this for 3 or 4 seconds, then returns to normal. I've always simply paused whatever I'm doing and waited it out, then continued. Sometimes it happens frequently, like several times over the course of half an hour, and other times it won't happen at all for the full length of a movie. There's really no rhyme or reason to it.

I've switched this cable out with a variety of other equipment. I've used other cables on the PS3. All of the tvs/monitors I have with HDMI inputs work perfectly, and the other equipment I've used this exact cable and others like it (xbox 360, satellite reciever) also work perfectly. The only time I experience this issue is with the PS3.

Any idea what the hell is wrong with this thing?

[isiolia]

I wish I had a solution, but I don't.

What I do have is the same problem. I've got two PS3s - an 80GB MGS4 bundle (partial software PS2 compatible), and a 160GB Slim.

The 80GB never exhibited this problem hooked straight to the TV over HDMI, with audio going to my receiver over optical. I've used it on a couple different PC monitors and haven't seen it happen on those either. When I got a receiver with HDMI (Denon AVR2310CI) and ran the PS3 through it, that's when I started to see it. I tried several HDMI cables. I updated the receiver's firmware. Played with settings in the PS3 and receiver. Nothing got rid of it.
Like you mentioned, no other devices I've used in the setup have had this problem. My 360 doesn't, HTPC doesn't.

Part of the reason I got the Slim was in hope that it wouldn't do it, but sure enough, it does. I've seen it happen with literally anything you can do on the PS3 - sitting on XMB, playing audio CDs, playing DVDs, Blu-rays, games, etc.

I'm pretty sure I'd get rid of it if I ran the HDMI straight to the TV...but then I get no HD audio, which is 90% of why I got the HDMI receiver in the first place.

[CFFJR]

Ah that sucks man, I'm sorry. Its a really annoying problem isn't it?

I've had the same experience though, in that it doesn't matter what the PS3 is doing, it still loses the signal.

The frustrating thing for me is that I do have it connected directly to the tv... No receiver or anything, so from my end it is undoubtedly the fault of the system.

[MrPopo]

I've had a similar issue, and it's only with the PS3. I've got my PC hooked up using a DVI-HDMI cable and my 360 on HDMI and neither experience this.

[Hobie-wan]

Hmm, I haven't noticed it with my slim via HDMI. Though my TV is ED, not HD. I'm running 720i to 480p depending on what the game supports. Just out of curiosity, what are the problem people set to? Perhaps that is something in common? Do those TVs require the 'secure' HDMI transmission and are dropping the picture if there's a lag in the security info? Just positing ideas.

[CRTGAMER]

Maybe the sequence equipment is powered on or input selected
Once in a great while I can't get the HDMI from my cable cox to my HDTV to work. It only happens when powering on or changing the input on the remote. My WEGA takes a DVI adapter cable so I still get the analog sound from the RCA audio connections. Since I have a non powered switchbox also allows a DVD upscaler plugged in, I just hit the switchbox to DVD then back to cable box.

[Redifer]

I have noticed it as well. This is why I have my system hooked up with component video cables, though the audio goes through HDMI. I figured that my TV was too ancient and "forgot" that there was something hooked up to it via HDMI. Now that I see others are having this experience, the fault must like with the PS3. But maybe it is only the PHAT PS3s and not the slims.

One thing I did not like about having my video hooked up with HDMI is that I had to have the receiver turned on as well and it takes everything forever to shake hands and decide to work. With component cables, there is no waiting whatsoever. I am completely anal over video quality and have noticed no difference in the video quality between the HDMI and component connections on the PS3 and my TV. Component it is.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Turn off your bravia/HDMI sync and lower the quality of the output signal. It's using way too much data for your cable to handle.

HDMI cables are digital in essentially equal to a certain extent. Shitty ones that aren't built properly cannot handle the proper throughput on data and simply cutout like that until the stream of information lessens.

The easiest example would be a 10/100mb ethernet cable vs a 1/100/1000mb ethernet cable. Both are in a sense identical, but the 10/100/1000 will always operate faster given the structure is more efficient and composed of higher grade materials to allow a larger amount of data to get through.

[Hobie-wan]

Turn off your bravia/HDMI sync and lower the quality of the output signal. It's using way too much data for your cable to handle.

HDMI cables are digital in essentially equal to a certain extent. Shitty ones that aren't built properly cannot handle the proper throughput on data and simply cutout like that until the stream of information lessens.

FWIW since CFFJR mentioned he was using monoprice cables, I am too for both my PS3 and 360. Mine are 6 foot from the ones available in multiple colors. I've never had any issues. CFFJR said he's tried different cables too. Now as to whether they are a different brand is the question. Though he said he's mixed and matched cables, devices, and TVs and the PS3 is the common thing. I doubt everyone with issues in this thread has the same cables, so PS3 is still the common thing.

[CFFJR]

Turn off your bravia/HDMI sync and lower the quality of the output signal. It's using way too much data for your cable to handle.

HDMI cables are digital in essentially equal to a certain extent. Shitty ones that aren't built properly cannot handle the proper throughput on data and simply cutout like that until the stream of information lessens.

FWIW since CFFJR mentioned he was using monoprice cables, I am too for both my PS3 and 360. Mine are 6 foot from the ones available in multiple colors. I've never had any issues. CFFJR said he's tried different cables too. Now as to whether they are a different brand is the question. Though he said he's mixed and matched cables, devices, and TVs and the PS3 is the common thing. I doubt everyone with issues in this thread has the same cables, so PS3 is still the common thing.

Hobie's got it exactly right, and all of my hdmi cables are the monoprice brand, 6 foot same as his, which only proves how odd this all is. Like he said, the common element for all of us is the ps3, and nothing else. In my case, everything else I've got is flawless, and the cable that I typically keep on the ps3, when switched to another device to test, works perfectly.

I should also state again that the ps3 has cut out like that during anything from games, to movies, to sitting completely idle at the system menu. I mean, would you think that the ps3, while idle and not running anything, is sending more data than an xbox 360 game running at 1080? Maybe I'm misunderstanding you there.

I'm confused by the Bravia/hdmi sync bit though. I don't have any options for Hdmi sync on my tv, at least not that I know of.