I have an apple tv hooked up to my LCD VIA HDMI. I have don't have an HDMI receiver so I want to use the optical audio out on the ATV for sound so it will go through my receiver and not the crappy TV speakers.

The problem is I cannot figure out how to do this. Yes I can mute the TV but that is annoying and with this TV there is no way to not have the stupid mute logo on the screen.

Any ideas?

Turning TV volume all the way down works for me...

I have an apple tv hooked up to my LCD VIA HDMI. I have don't have an HDMI receiver so I want to use the optical audio out on the ATV for sound so it will go through my receiver and not the crappy TV speakers.

Your TV probably has component inputs. If you connect your Apple TV via component, your TV won't get any sound.

adding to Indy and dave's suggestion; My plasma remembers both the mute setting and the volume (at zero) setting, so once is all you need.. this may or may not apply to your of course... If not, and you don't want to use the component feeds... another option might be if your TV has DVI is to convert with hdmi to dvi cable...

ken