I use the HDMI for video and an optical cable into a stereo receiver for audio. I find that the HDMI audio is glitchy, it drops out after I change the channel. I then I have to pull out and reseat the HDMI cable from either in back of the vip211 or the tv to regain sound, thereofre I use the optical cable to the stereo. I already replaced the vip211 once and still have this issue.
The video portion of the HDMI works fine. I find it a bit sharper than component video.