Quick HDMI Question

[TheDoc46]

Hi, OK I'm an HDMI noobie..

I've had a bluray player since launch playing on my plasma's via component and using the optical out for DD5.1 / DTS straight to my AMP. Because my commercial Panasonics just did not come with HDMI boards. Or they did but you had to pay a couple of hundred bucks for them.. Being that none of my sets were 1080P, there was just no need to make that investment.

However, all that is changing this week... I'm taking delivery of my new TC-P50G25 set this week that is HDMI.

Quick question.. From PS3 to TV, If I use HDMI, how do I get digital sound to my AMP? Do i have to use another HDMI lead to get to the amp, taking up the other socket? I know my TV has an optical out, however it says in the instructions that if HDMI is being used, that optical output downgrades itself to 2channel...

So is it that i have no choice to run from PS3 to AMP then AMP to TV? Meannig i'll always need the amp on to play my PS3?

Same applies for my cable box DVR, 90% i'm happy with the sound coming out of the TV, i don't always need the amp on. How do you get around that? At the moment that is going into the TV via component and using the optical out on the box to the TV, should I ever want to watch a movie or sporting event on TV.. If I have to use the optical out from my PS3, then don't i lose the ability for lossless audio?

I'm just a little confused here. I guess PS3 or bluray player the deal is the same.