Look, a lot of High-Def monitors don't have HDMI inputs, including mine (I have a DVI one and need an HDMI to DVI cable). Why include an expensive cable that won't be used by many, if not most, consumers who buy the product? I can't see why anyone makes a big deal out of this.

-off topic warning-
And re: the ipod : Yes you can charge it from your computer, but it is a portable item. If I were planning to always have it with my computer, well I wouldn't really need it since all the same information is already on my hard drive. I think it's disgusting that they don't include an electrical plug for an electronic item.

Decker, the PS3 doesn't even come with component cables. I think that's the real problem. HDMI is a more premium item, like the VGA hookup on the 360. But almost every HDTV out there accepts an HD signal over component. And when your competition that's $200 less offers component, and when your major selling point of the system is HD, it does seem like an ass backwards move to put in only a composite/s-video cable.

Eh, I'll grant you that they should have offered componant. But of course worrying about the cost of component cables after buying a PS3 is a little like worrying about the fuel mileage on your new Escalade.

I'm sorry. I'm sure most people with HDTVs already have their PS2s connected with component cables. Those same cables will work with the PS3, so this is pretty much a non-issue with me.

I don't know why people would expect it to come with an HDMI cable. I've never used a bundled cable for anything. I always buy my own, if for no other reason than to have the right length.

Just because existing customers may have component cables does not mean its okay to talk the talk but not walk the walk. Bottom line is, Sony has gone on record about 15 times now saying that MS's efforts are half arsed and that HD starts when they say so. If they really believed that they would include the component cables and make those that don't have the ability to do HD (or use component) to buy the crappy $5 composite cables.

If anything this would only further the HD movement because some oblivious folk would come to realize their 15 year old TV could stand to upgrade. Heck, the majority of TV owners don't understand all this cable technology, they just want it to work (thus HDMI initiative partially). The PS3 does not pretend to be "accessible" with its $500/$600 price tag, why should the packed in cables be the lowest denominator?

I'm not part of some "Anti-Sony web movement" as was so eloquently put, just a person who has a different point of view on how to do business and enable successful technologies in the marketplace. Sony just makes it easy to hit on them because they make so many stupid mistakes. I won't start, but Sony has a lot more troubles coming its way in the near future because of these types of decisions. I digress...

I don't see that as the same, though. It has to be hooked up to a computer to transfer files anyway, so I find that less annoying.

Actually, I would say it's more like buying an Escalade and finding out they only gave you two tires and are charging you for the other two.

maybe Blu-Ray discs just look better through composite than they do with component/HDMI.

Considering this was going to be the first Playstation that allowed you to buy it and and not have to buy any other item to use it (PS1, PS2 = memory card) seemed too good to be true.

This isn't the end of the world, but it certainly is a thorn in the side, and something that is going to end up smashing Sony in the face, when thousands of clueless customers will go home thinking they are going to have an HD gaming console only to be thoroughly disappointed when they open it.

Makes sense to me. There's no way they could not include the base level composite cable, for the average grandma purchaser. Apart from that, by supporting HDMI, they've split the HD market between those with HDMI capable tvs and those without, so it makes sense to leave it to HDTV owners to purchase the cable they actually want to use.

My Toshiba A-1 HDDVD player came with HDMI as well as my xbox360 came with component cables