Okay I am stumped.
I finally got my HDMI connection working for video and sound to my Plasma TV
I note the Sigma HDMI driver supports DTS and DD but what use is this at all when the HDMI audio is only stereo and there is no optical out?
Is there any way I can connect the laptop to my amp to enjoy proper 5.1 sound when watching DVD, especially BLuRay movies?
For example, any way to set the stereo/headphone output to optical?
Help Appreciated. 
Welcome to the club of those who buy a nice expensive computer without checking properly...( I am one of them...) Yes really crazy! A media laptop with blu-ray and all those bastards at sony don t even put a SPDIF (digital output) on the computer. How can it be possible?
Only sound out is the headphone ! Great sound!!
Ok the only way is that you buy a new receiver/amp that has HDMI then you will get 5.1 otherwise there is alternatives like buying a 3rd part docking station that cost about 300usd.
2 things:
1) I am not sure buying an Amp with HDMI inputs would help as the laptop is outputting only stereo over hdmi isn't it?
2) A cheaper option and 1 I am looking into is the purchase of an external soundcard like the creative 5.1 surround which is usb with stereo headphone and optical out to the amp. only around £35 or so....
But yes it is pathetic that a £1k machine with such hardware is purposefully crippled in such a way. It is bordering on false advertising as "Intel HD Sound Compliant" is plastered all over the web-page and the machine.
What I don't get then is what purpose having the Sigma support DD and DTS serves? 
Well the sigma support DTS and DD because it works via HDMI.
Myself I found a docking station from Targus that has spdif output and other stuff. It works via the expresscard slot. Howver I havent bought it yet I mean it coast like 200usd and a Sony HDMI receiver is about 300usd....
Only headaches... buying an expensive pc and you need to buy even more stuff...really disapointing indeed.
2 things:
1) I am not sure buying an Amp with HDMI inputs would help as the laptop is outputting only stereo over hdmi isn't it?
2) A cheaper option and 1 I am looking into is the purchase of an external soundcard like the creative 5.1 surround which is usb with stereo headphone and optical out to the amp. only around £35 or so....
But yes it is pathetic that a £1k machine with such hardware is purposefully crippled in such a way. It is bordering on false advertising as "Intel HD Sound Compliant" is plastered all over the web-page and the machine.
What I don't get then is what purpose having the Sigma support DD and DTS serves?
Hi,
I have been tracking down a solution for this as well with the same sound problem.
Do I follow this correctly. If you get a purchase the External Sound Card that will connect to the HD televison via and Toslink?. I also have Sony home theatre (HDMI to the televison)
How can i connect the television to the Surround Sound is this just audio IN/Out??
Am really quite annoyed with the setup as well as it would have changed my purchase to get a specialised Bluray player!
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