I found your post pretty amusing for a couple of reasons. First, it was quite a while after AMD/ATI had LPCM-audio over HDMI support on their graphics cards that nVidia matched that feature (though they had some integrated solutions). No, two years ago you couldn't have had an nVidia card with LPCM-audio over HDMI on Linux because no nVidia card with that feature existed, but I assume the Radeon HD 4xxx series at the time would work since it supported ALSA. I have not tried it myself though, the reason taking us to the second reason of finding your post amusing. I love my Linux workstation. I can't find anything more efficient than a multi-monitor KDE setup to work on and really hate it that nowadays I have to do much work on a (dual-monitor) Mac due to my job requirements. But I still have a Windows machine driving my home theater. It is already a lot of work keeping it up with all developments so that it can play properly my entire collection of various format media files, DVD, HD-DVD, Bluray etc. Sadly, I know from experience, it would be an almost impossible task for my Linux machines, regardless of hardware. So when you say "the only usable option for media centers" and refer to a Linux machine it sounds at least strange. As much as I love using Linux, it is not just an nVidia card what is missing from it to be the base of a good HTPC. (I assume by "media center" you did NOT mean music center, which is not something hard for a Linux server, otherwise you wouldn't be asking for LPCM over HDMI.)

Hmm, I wonder why firefox corrected my "flyer" to "flier". It seems I had it right and flyer is valid...

Exactly my feeling and situation. After an MS in CS at a decent US University (my European BS is in Physics), I started working as an H1-b at a US firm. After two years, I am one of the most valuable members of my group and my employer definitely wants to keep me here in NY, however my fiancee is from Europe and cannot work legally here (even if I marry her). It is kind of harder for her to get an H1-b visa (her BA is in Classics, plus H1-b's are snatched instantly). The company lawyer told me that it is highly unlikely for me to get a Green card in the foreseeable future, no matter how indispensable my employer thinks I am, since according to the rules, I cannot use my experience in the current company as part of my qualifications to justify the Green card. And of course the fact that you might be exceptionally good does not matter in the application for a Green Card (unless you have made headlines - there is provision for Nobel price winners etc). So, I am kind of thinking of heading back home, of course I do make enough for a family here but my fiancee hates not being able to work and I can't blame her...
You don't have to say the US will loose if I myself leave (you don't know me to judge if it is the case), but I am sure there are many talented people out there in such a situation.