windows 7: Can't get HDMI audio - the hdmi device does not appear under the playback devices

I have the exact same problem and this is RTM now, so they did not fix it from RC!  I have a Sony Vaio VGN-FW370J running Windows7 x64 Ultimate RTM from Technet.  In Vista x64, I had the HDMI audio as a 2nd playback device to choose from in Audio properties but now all I have is the Realtek notebook speaker card listed.  Under device manager, I do see Intel(r) High Definition Audio HDMI and it says its working properly but I can't access it no matter what even when HDMI is hooked up.  I know this worked fine before Win7 so this is NOT a driver issue.  From all the posts I'm seeing above, this is a Windows 7 issue and Microsoft better address this, as this is no small matter!  I will not settle for my audio playing through the laptop speakers while watching a blu-ray on a Samsung HDTV external display!  If anyone finds any workarounds for this problem,  PLEASE post here!

Thanks!

Volcom, relax before you hurt yourself.  :)

I have a home built PC, ASUS mainboard, Intel Core i7 proc, nVidia GTX260, some onboard audio chip or other with S/PDIF passthru to the video card.  Hooked up to HDTV via HDMI.  Audio works fine.  If the issue were with Windows 7, my HDMI audio wouldn't work, either.  (I'm running RC, x64.)

I've also got a Dell XPS 1530 w/ 8400GS and whatever audio chip they use.  HDMI video and audio both work fine.  (RC, x32)

I do believe it is a driver problem...  Vista drivers FOR THE MOST PART work with Windows 7.  That doesn't mean they all work perfectly.  The same debacle plagued Vista...  New/tweaks to the driver model, HW manufacturers weren't ready, so peripherals didn't work.  Since that all changed with Vista, it got the blame.  Reading the above posts, the one common element is that everyone having seems to be using Intel parts for audio or video...  Maybe Intel drivers are the weak link?

Your Samsung TV, on HDMI2, has a separate analog input that you can use to pass audio from the laptop's headphone jack as a temporary workaround until this is solved. 

As for getting digital audio output working via HDMI when watching Blu-Rays, that's something I set up in Cyberlink PowerDVD (what I use; not sure what you use)...  And the HDMI option wasn't there until I started playing a disc.  There was no sound, I stopped playback, went back to sound options, and there it was.  Not sure why, probably funkiness with the driver.  I don't know if you tried this, since your post didn't have much detail...  Go to Control Panel, then Sound.  In the case of my homebuilt machine, I have the following devices:

Speakers / High Definition Audio Device / Not plugged in

Headphones / High Definition Audio Device / Not plugged in

Digital Audio (S/PDIF) / High Definition Audio Device / Not plugged in

Digital Audio (HDMI) / High Definition Audio Device / Default Device

Look in your Sound control panel...  Do you have an HDMI device there?  If so, make it the default device, and then try your audio playback.  If it doesn't work, make sure you have the latest drivers for your audio chip AND your video card.

If the HDMI device isn't there...  I dunno, try reinstalling the audio chip and graphics card drivers.

I for 1 use Razor HDMI headphones and the sounds come up fine for me. i also have the onboard audio ports hooked up to my surround sound system and i can swap sounds back and forth without problems and even run both at the same time (music on speakers games on headphones) all devices come up fine for me in the playback menu. Have you tried the showing disconnected devices?

RCx64

Good news!  I talked to a friend that worked in the Windows 7 development at Microsoft and he had the same prob with 2 of his computers and figured out the solution.  While it doesn't make a whole lot of sense, the HDMI Audio comes from the video card drivers.  I went to Intel's website and chose my video card, and they had Windows 7 RC drivers up, I downloaded those and installed, rebooted and my HDMI audio is now back in the soundcard list and I tested it, worked great! So to all of you above, go get the latest video card drivers and try again. Worked for me!