Sound / Audio

[#1]

Hello,

I currently have an E105-S1402 running Windows 7. It has a 1 HDMI out and 1 seperate SPDIF/3.5mm connector.

I have my laptop connected to my Plasma TV via HDMI. In addition, my Plasma TV is connected via optical cable to my home theater system. I have noticed that my receiver is playing sound in Dolby Pro Logic II (analog) instead of Dolby Digital (5.1) from my computer. The receiver is not picking up a digital source from my laptop. (THe receiver does pick up digtial audio from my PS3 and regular TV, however). 

When I click Control Panel --> Hardware and Sound --> Sound, I have three icons showing up. (1) HDMI Device (Intel High Defition Audio HDMI) (2) Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio) and (3) Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio).

While connected to the TV, the "HDMI Device" icon is checked. However, when I right click it, and click "configure," I only have the option to select stereo sound. Also, there is no Dolby Digital Option under the HDMI icon.

However, under the Realtek Digital OUtput (SPDIF) icon, there is such an option for "Dolby Digtal."

Here is the qestion: Does the HDMI output on my laptop deliver DOlby Digital sound, or am I stuck with the SDPIF/3.5 mm port on the front of my laptop for digital sound? Doesn't "HDMI High Definition Audio" mean digital sound?

I was under the assuption that the HDMI connection carried Dolby Digital sound until last night, when I was up for hours trying to get a Dolby Digital encoded DVD movie playing on my laptop to deliver Dolby Digital 5.1 sound via HDMI to my TV, which is connected optically to my home theater system.

Best,

Steve