Video quality output of an HTPC vs Cable box?

I've never tried this, but it might be worth playing with

http://www.hack7mc.com/2009/06/fixing-media-centers-poor-black-levels.html

A year ago when I got my HTPC I was very unhappy with the PQ. Way worse than my SA 4250 STB. After some searching and tinkering (lack of good instruction manual hinders!!!!) I found that by calibrating my PC Monitot, using the WMC settings picture calibrations and then going into my Intel 2000 Graphics adjustments, I was able to get a comparable picture quality. I do not want to say better, might be a tad less good but decent certainly. I am also handicapped by the fact that my Sony XBR set shuts down many of its picture settings (can basically only adjust bright, picture (contrast) and backlight when a PC is hooked up to its HDMI input. No idea why, but makes adjustments way more complicated. Perhaps if you look into some of this you will start to see a nicer PQ. It ain't quick, so be patient. I wish there were a good calibration tool to use; the one's on the PC and in WMS allow for too much spread and when you go to a real program, you can still not like the results. Patience is required above all.

The picture quality from the tuner should be identical to the Motorola DVR. If there is a difference, it would be in the video output system of the PC, which in my case is clearly superior than the cable box. I run an AMD 5670 Video card via HDMI to a Pioneer KRP-500M Plasma. The picture is at the very least sharper, and seems to have better contrast than the cable box. Both outputs go through a Pioneer VSX-1018 receiver before going to the TV.

I'd agree you should have far better control on your A10 and its HD 7660D video than any STB. Have you been into the CCC and adjusted your video/color settings? You can use 0-255 or 16-2xx to enhance your color depth as well... As atated, you should do a complete assessment of your PC's video, WMC and the Plasma to know where you should be making the adjustments. Have you used a Video Essentials or Avia setup disc?