by “HDMI compatible receiver” do you mean a HD DVR? We have one of those from our cable company. It works good.
No, your audio receiver. You connect your ps3 to your HDMI audio receiver and your audio receiver to the HDMI input on your tv. This way your ps3 will decode every audio format available, if you don’t have great sound with your hi-def tv you’re missing a lot. Sound is great even without using HDMI using optical out, etc. If you don’t want to buy a new audio receiver you can still get excellent surround sound. Make sure to not waste money on high priced HDMI cables, Amazon has them for 5-10 bucks, you can also go to monoprice.com for HDMI and other cables, Monster products are a scam.