Is this damn copy protection crap preventing/restricting audio pass through with receivers that have HDMI inputs, or is it the design of the receiver??

My receiver (Marantz SR-7001) lets me select to either have the receiver decode and output the audio, or have it pass the audio through to the TV. This is done in one of the setup menus. I have had zero hdmi/hdcp issues with this receiver, although I am using 3 of its 4 HDMI inputs. Your receiver may or may not work exactly this way, depending on its design.

Anyone else have anything on this one way or the other?

This is the question I raised in

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=791634

Check specifically the last post: EVERYTHING IS OPTIONAL, including audio handling.

HDMI does not have any limitation on the ability to pass through audio, such as in an AV receiver. It is a matter of the product's design. In fact, HDMI is able to pass pretty much all the audio & video formats through an AV receiver. You definitely should read the spec sheets for the AV receiver carefully to check that it has the capabilities that you desire, such as passing audio through to the HDMI output, 1080p support, etc.

It is a matter of the product's design. I understood that. You definitely should read the spec sheets for the AV receiver carefully to check that it has the capabilities that you desire Not always stated. I would bet it is not stated more often than it is stated. :o

The Sony HT DDW900 has 2 hdmi ports and one hdmi out. Both hdmi ports ONLY do passthrough of both video and audio. The receiver will not decode the signal. Like other members have said, it should be mentioned in the manual.

it should be mentioned in the manual. Two key words; should and manual.
Yes, it should be in the spec sheet, but I shouldn't have to look through a hundred or so page manual to find it.

ok, to answer the original post, it is the design of the receiver

stupid question, if your going HDMI to your audio reciever, why do you want audio to your tv? dont you already have to have your reciever on to even pass the selected video signal?