1) I'm using the original Pio 5002 card, but awaiting the promised Key Digital card for better scaling, connection (DVI w/HDCP), and processing options. It's way overdue, but Ii hope it's still in the plans of Key to bring it out. The Aurora cards look interesting, but none so far give me everything that the Key card supposidly will - so I'll wait.
2) I have both an SAT-T60 (DirecTivo) and an HD-200. The tivo is hooked up with S-video going through the processing circuit on my PMDT DVD player, deinterlacing the 480i to 480p, then going component to the 503. The HD-200 is fed via VGA. I'm very satisfied with both.
3) The frame is dark gray, almost charcol
4) Not enough info yet to answer this one - but probably "yes". The media box (scaler) that will accompany will relieve any connectivity issues you might have. Some early reports indicate the 503's most universally know weakness - lack of good blacks - is not improved in the new model. That would be disappointing, if true. I'd wait for confirming info on that before deciding.
Best of luck...
2) I have both an SAT-T60 (DirecTivo) and an HD-200. The tivo is hooked up with S-video going through the processing circuit on my PMDT DVD player, deinterlacing the 480i to 480p, then going component to the 503. The HD-200 is fed via VGA. I'm very satisfied with both.
3) The frame is dark gray, almost charcol
4) Not enough info yet to answer this one - but probably "yes". The media box (scaler) that will accompany will relieve any connectivity issues you might have. Some early reports indicate the 503's most universally know weakness - lack of good blacks - is not improved in the new model. That would be disappointing, if true. I'd wait for confirming info on that before deciding.
Best of luck...