No lah. Looks like loose but in actual quite tight. I connect my white snake to it. Fit it in and there is a 'click' sound, which means it is locked.

Then fit it into my BD60 figure 8 like the usual cord.

First impression : WTF! Sounds weird. Something is seriously missing in audio and the PQ looks strange. Quickly read the manual. The other way will generate higher EMF, which degrades sound and picture.

Quickly reversed it.

Popped in the disc to test. This time, it is better. Although the PQ is very marginally better, the AQ is definitely have less 'noise'. Bass / LFE seemingly better too. Louder with less noise at same volume level. Tested Iron Man, TDK, and CR BD.

Missed this before.

The PS3 uses its own Sony Cell Processor to do the video processing. Something similar to Panasonic's Uniphier but I believe more powerful. I believe if Sony wants they can improve the video processing algorithms in the Cell Processor, but that would kill their high end products ie, BD players...less money for them then. Sony can actually do more with the PS3 than they are doing now.