Playstation and Home cinema - sound set up?

[frazzo]

Hi just wondering which is the best set up as I have heard conflicting advice.

Watching blue ray movies with digital sound

Option 1. HDMI from PS to 1080pTV
Optical from PS to 5.1 amplifier then to TV
Q. Does the Ps output 5.1 sound via optical?

Option 2. I seen an amplifier with HDMI: 1 In 2 OUT
Q is this a better way to connect? HDMI from PS to Amplifier. then the HDMI to the TV from the Amp. ( this way the picture is going the amp?)

Is there much difference? What about 7.1 sound. does the PS support this?

Ah...so confused which amp to buy. The Sony @£250 in Argos which has the multiple HDMI connections seems like a good price....or just stick with optical?

Thanks in advance