Hi doctrjimmy,
Quote:
Can I run an hdmi cable from my pc's video card to one of this receiver's hdmi 'in' and be able to use as a video monitor?
You Bet your you know what you can! LOL!
The setup that you are talking about is what is commonly known as a "HTPC" "Home Theater PC"
I have two HTPC Setups:
The first is in my Bedroom and it is a Gateway Computer that has an upgraded XFX Radeon HD 5770 Video Card.
I connected a "High Speed" HDMI Cable to the XFX Radeon's HDMI Out and then it runs 25 feet over to my HDTV's HDMI Input 1.
The Video Card and Radeon's software even recognizes my VSX 1020 when I go into it's "Catalyst Control Settings" which are my Monitor / Video settings.
A couple Setup Hints that works good for me.
At the Computer
I use 2 Outputs of my XFX Radeon 5770 Video Card, one is the HDMI Out to my HDTV and the other is the DVI out to my Computer Monitor, a Samsung SyncMaster XL2370HD.
The XFX /ATI Radeon Video card allows for a two monitor setup, it is usually on "Duplicate" and I see both computer screens on both my HDTV and my Samsung Computer Monitor.
Sometimes when playing a Blu-Ray or streaming content I will use "Extended" and I can slide over to my HDTV the Blu-Ray or Streaming program while still surfing the web on my Samsung Monitor.
It is a sweet setup that I really enjoy!
At my Pioneer:
On my VSX 1020 I put my HTPC's HDMI into HDMI 1 and then I have my Time Warner Cable Box into the VSX 1020's HDMI 2.
On the Pioneer remotes near the top where the Input Selections are, there are two buttons with Arrows curving Left and Right,
these are used to scroll forward or backwards through the receivers Inputs and because I am using HDMI 1 and 2, they are right next to each other.
If I am watching Time Warner Cable on HDMI 2 and I want to switch over to my HTPC on HDMI 1, I just press the Left Arrow and my HTPC is on my HDTV,
then when I want to go back to cable, I just press the right arrow and I am back to Cable on HDMI 2.
I can even do it in the dark, because I know exactly from feel, where the Arrows are on the remote and I am not fumbling around with Input buttons.
HDMI Cables:
For the 25 foot High Speed HDMI cable that I needed, I got it at MonoPrice.com, because no local store had anything near a 25 foot HDMI Cable, plus if they did, the cost would have been crazy.
At MonoPrice I wanted a "High Speed" cable, so I got the 25ft 22AWG CL2 Silver Plated High Speed HDMI Cable - Black
Link:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2
It is a Heavy cable so I also bought two of what they call a Port Saver, to relieve any stress made on the HDMI Ports on the Computer and HDTV.
Link:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2
In my Living room's HTPC I do not have a separate Computer Monitor, so it was just an HDMI Cable out of the HTPC and into HDMI 1 on my new Elite VSX 53.
I also used the same HDMI 1 & 2 setup on my E53 because I was already comfortable using the Arrows on my VSX 1020 to move back and forth between HDMI 1 & 2.
I purchased another HDMI Cable from MonoPrice but I did not need 25 feet so I got a 10ft 24AWG CL2 High Speed HDMI Cable w/ Net Jacket - Black
Link:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2
I really like the NET Jacket, even though I did not really know what it was going to be like when I ordered it.
I really liked it when it came though, definitely two thumbs up!!!
MonoPrice's description is:
Quote:
Question: What is a Net Jacket?
Answer: The net jacket is a nylon mesh outer covering on the body of the cable. It offers abrasion resistance, strain relief and a more attractive finish. It does not affect the actual performance of the cables.
Well, there ya have it, I hope that this information helps you in your quest for a good working HTPC To Pioneer Receiver setup!
Sorry to be so long, but I wanted to give you as much information that I have picked up in my HTPC endeavors.
Good Luck,
Bud B