HDMI to TV or receiver

[Jez O]

Just bought a Sony KDL-EX503 which is superb, and now looking for an AV receiver. Should I leave my virgin HD box and blu-ray player connected to the TV's HDMI sockets, and connect them solely via optical to the receiver for sound, or plug them into the receiver's HDMI? What benefits does that give me (if any). Not that bothered about watching TV via the surround speakers however.

If connected to the receiver via HDMI, is there any benefit in then connecting them via optical- will sound be better or the same?

Thanks for any input (pardon the pun!).

Edited by Jez O on Tuesday 19th October 13:40

Edited by Jez O on Tuesday 19th October 13:41

[freecar]

I'm led to believe that hdmi is marginally better for sound. You'll also get to use any source switching that your amp can do, meaning less changing of source to go from dvd to tv etc.