Looking for someone to clear something up

[dotcom33]

My dad is looking into getting a new receiver (don't know which one yet, any recommendations $500 range) if he uses hdmi to the receiver, through to the tv will he always have to have the receiver on for sound i.e. he doesn't like it on when he watches like say the news. Otherwise if he doesn't and uses optical cables will he still be able to use the new codecs (DTS-MA, Dolby TruHD).

P.S. He has the Panasonic BD-35.