That's interesting, never really thought there would be much of a difference. I too use my PS3 for BD playback (never really saw a reason to buy a dedicated player). This runs through an HDMI matrix and then down 7.5m of cable to the the PJ.
A bit off topic - but useful for anyone thinking of upgrading with a "non 3D" AVR.....
I've got a Sony STR DA2400 which can't passthru the recent HDMI stuff.
I've taken the decision NOT to upgrade this, and build around it accordingly.
The reason? The sound of the AVR is great, and because recent changes in HDMI are all about pictures (3D and 4K), I want to avoid the constant hassle of upgrading a perfectly great sounding amp all the time - just to passthru a different type of picture signal (first 3D and soon again for 4K).
So.... I use dual outputs for things. e.g. for the PS3, I use both an HDMI connection and an optical link to my "Non 3D" AVR.
TBH, I find the sound perfectly OK and tbh, I think I prefer the sound of optical. I read somewhere that optical can provide for a better sound anyway and to my ears, I think that's true.
Bizarre - going to sell the Panasonic BD35 now - its pointless keeping it.
Also, I'm thinking that unless I spend a lot, I doubt that another "3D" capable AVR would sound better to my ears!
Anyway, this AVR has 3 optical inputs which is more than enough for most 3D type situations.
So far, I've used the "TV" optical input on the AVR for the PS3 - and I'll probably use the "SAT" optical input on the AVR for the XBOX.
Now if I upgraded the blu-ray player, I'd get a Twin HDMI output bluray player (like the Sony BDPS790). If I did, it would be for things like Wi-fi etc - but the PS3 looks fine to me!
OK - this mean I could have 3 separate HDMI outputs to deal with and the original output from the AVR. To deal with this, I've bought a 4 port Auto HDMI switch for £39 (All works fine - up to 2.5 ghz)
http://www.maplin.co.uk/4-port-automatic-hdmi-switch-box-264788
I bought a 10 m HDMI cable (to the projector) and Toslink (Optical link) cables from Maplin.
I bought the Xbox Optical link adaptor from argos
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9052482.htm#pdpProductReviews
The other short hdmi cables from Tesco at £10 a pop - great!
I also bought a cheap flatpack shelf unit and cut out holes at the back for the leads!
It all looks fine from the front - with a load of wires behind
so..... the connections are as follows and all works fine!
Freeview receiver -> AVR HDMI input 1
PS3-optical out -> AVR optical input TV
PS3-HDMI out -> SWITCH input 1
XBOX-optical out -> AVR optical input SAT with this
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9052482.htm#pdpProductReviews
XBOX-HDMI out -> SWITCH input 2
Bluray player-HDMI out 1 (Picture) -> SWITCH 3
Bluray player-HDMI out 2 (audio) -> AVR HDMI 2
AVR output -> SWITCH 4
SWITCH output -> Projector
Using this approach, I'll only use one of the HDMI inputs on the projector, I'll have 4 devices connected to the projector and I still have 2 HDMI inputs spare - (maybe one for Sky if I get it?)
N.B. don't forget to switch Brilliant colour on the PS3 from Auto to off. This can cause handshaking issues if not done (I think) - you'll find it under Display Settings (near the bottom)
One slight issue I have (and I'm not sure if this is the PJ or the screen, my guess is the latter) is that I can't scale the image to fit perfectly into the white space of the screen. If I get the vertical boundaries perfect, the sides spill onto the black borders approx. 1 inch each side. Wondering if anyone else has seen something similar, or if this is a common effect with projectors? There does not seem to be any fine adjustment of the image dimensions so it's impossible to correct.
I've seen this with other projectors too, I think its just the way certain formats are.
I found that the best way to setup the projector alignment - is to use the "test pattern".
I think this flexible format thing goes with the territory of using projectors with multiple sources (unless someone else knows different?).
I know what you mean though - having to accept the black bars!