I've been using the pio696 for a week now. Upscaled dvd's look better, with richer colors and better black, clear clean picture. Good enough to stave off my craving for HD, for now, while waiting for the prices of HD players and discs to be affordable.
1080i vs. 720p - I can't tell the difference.
1080i/720p vs 480p(component) noticeable difference.
480p-Component vs. 480p-HDMI - better black with 480p-HDMI
My only complaint with upscaling through HDMI, is that I can't maximize the the screen with anamorphic WS since it will display the original aspect ratio and compress it a little further (the bottom black bar is a bit thicker than with the original aspect ratio). With 16:9, a thin black bar is still present.
Compared with my Pioneer585K, the 696, performs better even with component connection. The 696 can even read better; Sounds better; Looks better too.
I got my 6-ft HDMI cable from jambam, B&S section, for 1K only. Very good quality, compared with other generics that I've seen.
Got the 696 at Anson's ATC for 6.8K(SRP 7.2K), with 12VCD karaoke and a Hitch VCD, free . Ironically, you buy a DVD player yet they give you free VCD
, kahit isang DVD na lang sana.