I've decided to go with the HD70 (on order) from the benq6100 - the benq used a breakout cable - vga --> component - will this work on the vga out on the hd70? - I'm just trying to save some bucks on cables.

I'm sure it will, i've used a similar cable on mine and my DV10

Here is a blurb from the Optoma website:

I/O Connection Ports
- HDMI
- Component Video
- VGA with Component & SCART Compatbility
- Composite Video (RCA)
- S-Video
- RS-232
- Dual IR Receivers
- +12V Trigger Relay

Looks like the answer is yes!

I used mine with the 25' breakout cable from my old LT-150 until my 30' HDMI cable came.
It worked fine. I only bought the HDMI because I needed to go a little longer so I could move the projector back a little.

Steve

I was going to order the hdmi cable from monoprice as my new Toshiba A2 has hdmi out - is there any benfit to the hdmi picture wise?

I was going to order the hdmi cable from monoprice as my new Toshiba A2 has hdmi out - is there any benfit to the hdmi picture wise?
some say yes some say no...its seems exactly the same to me I use all three...however I have read that the hdmi input on the HD70 is the only input actually limited by the 8 bit color thing (because its digital)...this was never truly confirmed for sure but I did hear it from guitarman. Theoretically though digital is better than analog...