I purchased an HDMI splitter on Amazon (which I ended up returning since it wouldn't split the connection) for about $15, a keyboard with touchpad for $45 from Newegg (so I can use my computer on the couch) and soon I'll be getting a Black Magic Design Intensity Pro PCI-E card to record the PS3 replays in
1080P1080i (will encode the replays in 720p) using Adobe Premiere CS4 (it also comes with its own recording software too, which is uber easy to use). Then I wont have to move my PS3 from room to room, unplug and reset it to go between composite and HD, I'll have my computer next to the PS3 and I have it going HDMI to the TV as well.
Here is generally what my setup is like:
HDTV < Component Splitter > Computer
....................../\
.....................PS3
The Intensity Pro is only $199, I know there are cards that are $500 on up, so I'll let you all know how it goes. Then I can upload the replays to You Tube (using FIOS) and link it to my website for viewing, w00t! Well thats the plan anyway, life loves throwing curveballs here and there.
HDMI Splitter (Doesn't work properly; returned)
USB Keyboard with Touchpad (I bought the PS3 Logitech Mediaboard but its not compatible with Windows, LOL)
Black Magic Intensity Pro HD Capture Card
UPDATE: The above HDMI Splitter doesn't work properly for the PS3, the PS3 will only display on one of the ports (the other the TV says 'No Signal') and because I totally forgot about HDCP, I have my PS3 running 1080i via Component to the Blackmagic Card and HDMI out to the TV via my video card (also in 1080i)
The keyboard I got from amazon is okay for the price, the keys don't always press down properly and the range of it is kind of limited to about 6 to 8ft, but overall its fine for casual use. I'm currently looking for a component splitter so I can have one component to the Blackmagic card and the other to the TV so all I have to do is change inputs to play a game or record.
UPDATE 2: I went to radio shack and bought a quote (Component) "1-In/4-Out Distribution Amplifier" Model #15-130 aka Component Splitter with a power supply (seems to be a radio shack house brand). It's not listed on the radio shack website, but it's regularly $69.99 and it was on clearance today for $40.77, w00t (No Sales Tax, man Oregon is great for that
) I also went to Best Buy to get some component cables since Radio shack wanted $40+ for their cables. I got 2 cheap(er) Dynex brand Component (video only) cables and bought a sort of matching pair audio cables. Which unfortunately ran me another $85 bux, but it looks great. I just watched a movie with this setup and it upscaled the SD Movie to 1080i perfectly and it also plays GT5P just fine. TBH, I can't tell the difference between 1080i and 1080p quality.
Here is the
Radio Shack Component Splitter (this and the Radio Shack model also have composite video in/out too, fyi) on Buzillions.com
Here are the
Dynex Component Cables that I used from Best Buy. Oddly enough Best Buy doesn't have the Digital Audio cables I bought ($17.99) on their website. But they match the Components and are also Dynex.
Now I know I could have gotten a far better deal on the cables, but I just had to know that it would work ASAP. I initially tried using the Component cables that came with the PS3, but to be honest they left some ghosting images on the screen no matter if I chose 480p, 720p, 1080i or 1080p (tried 1080p just to see even though Component only does 1080i as far as I know) so I went a local store called Fred Meyer and bought the 'Official' Sony PS3 Component cables, and BAM! Looks great, just as good as when I had it HDMI via 1080p just a couple days ago.
Here is the
'Official' PS3 Component Cables listed at Gamestop.
Here is the total cost for my setup (just specifically for recording replays) including estimated shipping costs (if applicable)
Black Magic Card - $189.00 (bought locally from
www.powermax.com in Lake Oswego)
Official Sony PS3 Component Cables - $20 (Saved $5, w00t!)
USB Wired Keyboard/Trackpad - $56
Component Splitter - $41
Two Sets Of Component Cables - $36
Total -
$342 Yikes!
But Happy
Jerome