zone 2 works with an analog output but the input can come from any source you want...
I'm a neophyte, and certainly NOT one that "should be listened to"... but I can tell you my experience. With 2 previous Yamaha and my current Denon X4000 AVR, I wanted the same thing for Zone 2. Simply wanted it to play the same thing coming out of the front l/r in main zone. Not being able to find a way in the manuals, or by experimentation, I called the company helpdesk. Was told the same thing by Yamaha & Denon. The left/right analog preamp outputs for Zone 2 will ONLY work with analog inputs.
So in addition to HDMI, I had to run an RCA pair from the Bluray to the AVR, and the satellite box to the AVR. Now I can turn on Zone 2, select the input, and it works.
Keep in mind, I wanted an analog preamp output for some wireless headphones. It sounds like you want speaker outputs. To use the Zone 2 preamp outputs, you would have to run them to another receiver/amp, then use the speaker outputs from that. Depending on your AVR, you may have additional speaker outputs you can configure to work like you want, (to mirror your Main Zone front l/r). Someone who "should be listened to" can likely help you with that for your particular AVR... I don't have any experience there.
And please remember, I'm no expert and often don't know what I'm talking about, (according to my wife). But the above has been my experience.