The new 3D technology is coming at us fast and furious. So it is not surprising that it is bringing a lot of confusion and uncertainty, especially when it comes it older hardware and it’s ability to handle 3D pictures. Many believe to enjoy 3D at Full 1080p video resolution the new HDMI 1.4 cable is required. And that HDMI 1.3 cable will only produce a video resolution of 1080i for 3D.


If this was the case, older Blu-ray Player’s 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 PS3 is the only older Blu-ray Player that will support 3D Blu-rays. All other 3D Blu-ray Players are 2010 models and come equipped with the necessary hardware and codec already on board.


The truth 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 key 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 released and you have updated your PlayStation 3 with the new 3D Firmware, you should have no issues with using a HDMI 1.3 cable. According to most expert, 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 manufactured and sold during the past 3 years have been High Speed HDMI cables.


*** One thing to be aware 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 workaround to this problem would be to purchase Blu-ray Players with dual HDMI outputs, such as Panasonic’s DMP-BDT350 or Samsung’s BD-C7900. ***