whiteknightoz

I bought a M3N78-EMH HDMI motherboard which advertised as having HD audio on board, upon installing it in the HTPC case I discovered it lacks optical or coax output for sound. It does have HDMI but I want to run the HD audio through my Amp.

The audio outputs on the motherboard are 3.5mm plugs and has Front, Rear, Centre/Sub, Side Speakers. Is the only way to get 5.1 sound to run 3 seperate 3.5mm to dual RCA plugs from the motherboard outputs into the amp inputs or is there an easier way? I take it this will only give me analogue signal to the amp? is this still High Def or is that lost once I dont use the HDMI output?

Also the HDMI gives me a picture on the Panasonic Plasma TV but I cant for the life of me get the audio routed to the TV which is a shame as when the kids are watching their cartoons I didn't want to have to go and switch on the amp etc. I would have rather have both options available either TV sound and Amp sound depending on what we are watching.

Paul