PCs with HDMI ports

[mtnbkr]

Whether sound will come out of the HDMI is entirely dependent on the video card, rather than the O/S or MB. The video card essentially has to have a sound device on it that windows can discover, so you can set it as the active sound output. So long as the video card says it can pipe the sound out through the HDMI, you'll be good.

So, it's not likely that I could take the sound output of the onboard sound chip, pipe it through the mobo bus to the add-on video card, and have it come out the HDMI port? 

Chris

[mtnbkr]

Ok, I did a quick search of video cards at TigerDirect.  The HDMI models frequently mention audio, so I think it's safe to say I can keep my audio capability if I got another card.

Chris

[Marnoot]

Yeah, the only place your MB's onboard sound can go is out the jack on the back of the computer. So long as the video card you pick mentions that it outputs sound through HDMI you'll be fine. If you're using the HDMI full-time, just make sure the HDMI audio is selected as the default audio device. Otherwise you'll just have to switch the active sound device when you switch between the TV and a monitor/speakers.

[mtnbkr]

I'll be using HDMI full time with my current monitor (with integrated speakers).  That's why this is important to me.  I don't know that I'll be buying a new card anytime soon, I just want to see what it would take...

Chris