HDMI Question around an new HTPC (1 Viewer)

[jtpryan]

I'm setting up a PC with the primary purpose of housing my music librabry. Windows 7 and Windows Media Player. The PC I'm using has HDMI out and Optical out:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Essentio+Desktop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Pentium%26%23174%3B+Processor/9541766.p?id=1218121455435&skuId=9541766

Anyway, my primary question is can I get away with just connecting the HDMI to my receiver or do I have to use the optical as well? While music is my primary reason, I do want to watch the occacional movie or home video. The PC will be about 20' from the receiver as the PC will be in the living room and the receiver in a closet. This is so I can use a bluetooth keyboard to control it from the couch, using my LCD TV as the monitor.

Thank you in advance for any advice

-Jim

 

[Parker Clack]

If your video card has HDMI out and you have the software on your PC for handling video and audio you will be able to pass both the audio and video over your HDMI with no need to use the optical out. I use ArcSoft's Total Media Theater with excellent results for both audio and video. I don't think WMP does HD Audio like DTS MA or Dolby Digital.