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

The problem many of you are having is most likely due to the fact that Windows 7 doesn't support multiple outputs simultaneously (apparently Vista is the same way).  You have to choose one output:  hdmi, analog or spdif and that is all that will output.  You can't run spdif to your receiver or tv and use headphones to listen to analog at the same time.  I installed the latest Realtek drivers for 7 and it doesn't help.  The problem is inherent in 7 which is a complete deal breaker for me.  I'll stick to XP which does all I need it to and lets me configure the sound output to my needs without having to wade through menus and WMC setup to make a change every time I use a different device.

This sounds to me more like a limitation of your device/drivers, rather than Windows.  Windows 7, as far as I can tell, works in a similar way to Windows XP:  You pick a default device, and by default, all sounds get routed through it.  If you have a program that can address a specific device (such as Winamp, when using DirectSound output), you can output to any device you want without changing the default.  In fact, I have done this on my Windows 7 laptop...  I connected an outboard audio adapter (Presonus Firebox), which has three stereo outputs; I set one to be the default, and set Winamp to use another.  I was able to output sound from both, simultaneously.

As for whether your audio device will output sound from both analog out and S/PDIF, it sounds like that's a limitation of your device or your device driver, and not so much Windows 7.  Try a Sound Blaster, or a studio-grade product such as M-Audio Audiophile, Presonus Firebox, Lynx, etc. 

Hope this helps!

This sounds to me more like a limitation of your device/drivers, rather than Windows.  Windows 7, as far as I can tell, works in a similar way to Windows XP:  You pick a default device, and by default, all sounds get routed through it.  If you have a program that can address a specific device (such as Winamp, when using DirectSound output), you can output to any device you want without changing the default.  In fact, I have done this on my Windows 7 laptop...  I connected an outboard audio adapter (Presonus Firebox), which has three stereo outputs; I set one to be the default, and set Winamp to use another.  I was able to output sound from both, simultaneously.

As for whether your audio device will output sound from both analog out and S/PDIF, it sounds like that's a limitation of your device or your device driver, and not so much Windows 7.  Try a Sound Blaster, or a studio-grade product such as M-Audio Audiophile, Presonus Firebox, Lynx, etc. 

Hope this helps!

No it's not my devices.  I have the same equipment I had with XP.  It is the way 7 is designed (and from what I have heard, Vista also).  Not familiar with your setup, but Winamp is not a device, it's software.  I doubt your laptop has spdif out.  If so, try running that and analog to another actual device and see for yourself. 

By the way, there are threads about this on other forums.  It's not conjecture, but fact.

Hey all as the original poster of this topic i am still plagued by this problem...

I haven't had time to read all of these posts, but basically this seems to be a problem with the intel driver.

I have reinstalled the vista drivers, and they provide audio but are fairly buggy. The newest windows 7 on intel's website do not provide audio for me.

Have yet to root out the problem, and frankly the web has proved fruitless and frustrating.

If you are having the problem I described just install the vista drivers.

To clear something up i read about single channels (or something to that extent i read above) that is not a problem for me i can play audio over my speakers or headphones... there is no problem with the audio drivers... this is an HDMI issue.

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!

I had the same problem!!! The HDMI works well in xp but couldn't find the hdmi audio in Windows 7!!

It seems your video card is intel's card and you can find the updated driver, but my video card is nvidia 8600mgs, i downloaded several driver versions from nvidia but still cannot fix the problem!! I'm going to give up and roll back my laptop to xp or vista. Windows 7 disappointed me!!