HDMI Pass Through?

[gillies]

Hi,

I am in the process of purchasing a new receiver in order to, among other things, wire all my components using only HDMI. I plan to run a PS3, Linksys Media Center Extender, and digital cable box to the receiver and then run one cable to the TV.

My question is whether I must always use my receiver to get sound when watching TV, or can I pass through the receiver and get sound from the TV itself? Is this possible:

Receiver off = sound from cable box passes through receiver and runs the TV speakers.

Receiver on = sound from cable box is processed by receiver and sent to the surround speakers, while the TV gets video only.

Am I crazy? Or can this be done? Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I'm new to HDMI.

Thanks for the help.