Again: if I'm missing something, please correct me.
I don't see what the big deal is about using HDMI.
If I didn;t have external speakers, amp, pre/pro etc I would want the HDMI for audio as well as video.
So I guess I would have to say that I think carrying the audio is for me (and maybe most of us) superfluous. Like who cares...unless you need to send audio to your TV speakers.

Corrections welcomed if needed.Thanx
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Living Room:
5.1 Surround and 4channel inline room
990/7700/6-KEF-107s/LFM1 x 2/ SMS Awaiting Trinnov
Millenium dts decoder;Digital Director
Players: Tascam CD01U/SonyCX455 x 3/DV955/BDP83
Old Sony 60" SXRD TV
Zone 2 (also liv-Room: listening to music while Mrs watches TV): Crown SL2 preamp/D40 Amp/Stax Headphones



My "Man-cave":
4 channel-only inline room. No TV (thank heaven)!!!
990/755/4-KEF 107s
Tascam CD01U/dts decoder/digital director
Alesis 16x4x2 mixer
Recorders Alesis HD24/ML9600/Crown CX844s/SonyDAT/Tascam DA38
Ham Radio Shack (KB1STH) ICOM/Yaesu/Drakes x 3