I'm using an hdmi connection from the dvd player straight to the media box of a Pioneer 5040 Plasma.There's a night and day difference in quality between 1080i/HDMI and 480p/YPrPb(component).I haven't had any audio problems whatsoever. I'm using an optical link between the DVD player and an old Yamaha receiver.Bottom line: good value for the money, great picture quality, rich feature set, unexciting remote and user interface.