Preamble - I'm mostly a PC person.
Synopsis - Using PC MC, under Tools -> Options -> Audio -> DSP & output format, I can correctly specify 7.1, or really anything. I put it in a 'Movie' zone and use a zone switch when MediaType is video. Works as expected. Using OS X MC, I couldn't get anything other than 2 channels. For a long time, I just shrugged my shoulders and used the PC version. Enough is enough, and I discovered that my Mini thinks I only have 2 output channels. Then I found the MIDI app. I set my HDMI output channels to '8ch-24 bit 96000 Hz' and in Settings -> Sound I set my output device to my Onkyo receiver. Under Tools -> Options -> Audio -> Audio Device, I point to 'HDMI [Core Audio]'. Great, works as expected. The problem is that I can't get OS X to remember the OS X relevant settings. After a boot, or seemingly whenever OS X feels like it, it reverts to believing only 2 channels are available for output and Tools -> Options -> Audio -> DSP & output format goes back to 2 channels, of course. I can perform the odious, burdensome, intrusive chore of resetting output channels, but although it isn't apocalyptic, it is a real PITA.
Question - What am I, in this regard, doing wrong? Is it because that if I leave my Mini running, but turn off my receiver, OS X reverts back to 2 channels? Can I get around this?
BTW - Ironic that Windows handles this better than OS X, since Microsoft is notorious for not caring about audio. Witness the necessity of downloading special Windows drivers from DAC manufacturer's web sites.
Thanks