needing help with htib and 7.1

[gideon8604]

ok the onkyo ht-sr800 is a 7.1 htib well i heard that the only way that you can get 7.1 is through hdmi well the onkyo sr800 only transfers video through hdmi not audio. so that means that you have to use an optical cable so im thinking about buying this htib but if i cant use the 7.1 with my ps3 than i dont want it. is there anyone out there who can help me wit the questions.

can you access 7.1 without hdmi or am i just missing something..im kinda a noob at this i just want a nice system for about 500 and consumer reports rates this at the top of the line??