Using Multichannel cables because I'm pissed off with this HDMI Handjerking issue!!!

[Guydowood]

A month ago when I got a new Samsung plasma PN50B550 and the samsung BDP1600 to go along w/ it, I figured I'd have no issues with my Onkyo HTR-667 w/ everything running via HDMI through the reciever. I've been experience lots and lots of HDMI handshaking which is now become IMO handjerking! I've gone in to the hardware specs in the reciever and have tried resetting the modes to enable/disable and yeah sure the player finds the signal. But when I lock the modes inplace once the player is off for a few hrs or a few days when I turn it back on...the loathing "no signal" BS pops back up and I have to wait 5,10, 15 sometimes 30 min for the ****in' thing to come on. I've purchased new 1.3a HDMI cables from monoprice and swithched them out thinking that would fix my issue. NOPE! I did a firmware update on the player and it helped play some blu's but nothing to help fix the no signal fiasco. At this point I just want to take a hammer to the reciever and buy a new one, But... I believe the reciever is still in good working order. I never have any loss of signal when I want to watch directv and I've also changed the HDMI ports w/ usually the same results w/ the player. I know I can go optical but then I lose the HD surround formats and I read that if you use multichannel you can still get truHD and DTS-MA. Is that true? At this point I'm trying to keep things as minimal as possble cost wise. My BD player supports multichannel surround as does the reciever. Is there a certain brand I should look into purchasing. BTW when I run the HDMI directly to the TV from the player I get a connection in an instant. Could an HDMI splitter or switcher work for me...with two outputs and one input I can connect the output from the player to the in and then run one hdmi out to the TV in and the other to the reciever. I would appreciate any positive and negatives on what is my BEST course of action to get back into enjoying my HD experience.

thanks ladies and gentlemen