Which setup do you think will yield the best results:

1.) Motorola 3416 STB set to 1080i passing through my Pioneer Elite VSX-01TXH via HDMI then to my Samsung LED DLP HL-T6187S (displaying 1080i). Audio in this case would be set to pass-through on the STB and decoded exclusively by the Pioneer receiver.

OR

2.) Same STB, but set to 480i, connected to the Pioneer receiver via high-quality component cables, up-coverted to 1080p by the Faroudja DCDi in the Pioneer, and then sent to the TV via HDMI (displaying 1080p). Audio in this case would be Toslink Optical Digital.

Please discuss. I'm having a hell of a time decided what to do. If possible, I want the best audio and video. I know, generally 1080p beats 1080i. However, I'm not sure how the STB converting the signal to 1080i and passing it through to the TV via HDMI compares to the Faroudja DCDi upscaling a 480i signal from the STB to 1080p via component cables and passing it on to the TV via HDMI. I'm also concerned of the differences in sound quality between the HDMI connection and a digital optical cable.

I only ask because I have HDMI cables galore, but no high quality or optical digital cables laying around anymore. If the 1080p upscaled route would work better, I'm happy to spend a few extra bucks to buy those cables, but I'd like to save my money if what I already have produces the better video quality and sound.

Thank in advance!

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