PS3 Informer

20GB PS3 to include HDMI port

Sony has announced that the 20GB version of the upcoming PS3 system will now include an HDMI port. Previously, Sony had stated that the 20GB would not include this port. Sony's official statement on the matter follows:

Since SCEI first announced product specifications of PS3 at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in May 2005, demand for enjoying full HD quality image and realistic digital sound through HDMI has grown tremendously. Given the sharp increase in availability of flat displays supporting HDMI in the market, SCEI has decided to equip HDMI as standard on all PS3 systems.

We believe that while this may have been part of the reason, the public outcry over the 20GB lacking the port was a bigger influence over the decision. It is also possible that Sony feared the 20GB would be unpopular due to the stripped down spec sheet for the cheaper version, and is trying to add incentive for buyers to purchase the more affordable model when supplies of the better equipped, more expensive 60GB model become constrained.