yikes. thats quite a list of numbers you have there :lol: looks like i'll have to break this one down into sections:
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So basically the PC sends audio/video info to the receiver and the receiver outputs that audio/video info to the speaker and tv/monitors.
**yes, your computer sends a digital audio-video signal via hdmi to the receiver. the receiver then takes the audio portion, converts it to analog, amplifies it and sends it to your speakers (just like a soundcard would do for your pc). at the same time it also lets you push audio-video out the hdmi output to send to your tv or monitor. now you can use a receiver without using video-passthrough but the cabling sure is convenient, especially if you use only one monitor and arent using anything fancy like 120/144hz (which it might not support.. in which case you would hook it up not using video passthrough).
1. If I were to do SLI with my graphics card, would I have to connect via hdmi from EACH of the gpu to the receiver or one gpu is enough? i.e. 4 way sli would require 4 hdmi cables for each gpu to the receiver?
**treat it as you would a monitor. would you hook 4 hdmi cables into a monitor (No). you need only one connection to the receiver just as you would need one to any one monitor.
2. For example, if I were to purchase this receiver, Yamaha RX-V777BT, it says that it upscales to 4k 60p.
If I were to connect the receiver to my xl2420g which is 144hz and set it to 4k, does the amount of #p matters? Would the receiver sort of bottleneck and makes it display as 60p instead of max 144hz even though my game FPS would be higher than 60FPS? Is there some kind of receiver #p categories like monitors have with 60hz/120hz/144hz? If there is, would the receiver's lower #p bottleneck the higher monitor's #hz? I know the FPS depends on the video card.
**i did not note before that you're using a 144hz monitor (which isnt supported via hdmi anyways). given that you're using higher than 60hz i would suggest you connect via hdmi, not use video passthrough and instead have it connected up like an auxilliary monitor would be. this is how many others with 120/144hz monitors fit a receiver into the system. i believe video passthrough is limited to 60hz on all receivers as currently all 120/240hz tv signals are all faked with just 60hz inputs.
3. If I were to set my game settings to 4k, would I need a receiver that has 4k content pass-through?
**with your 144hz monitor you would not want passthrough. your monitor is only capable of what resolutions it can display regardless of what any other equipment is capable of. always use native resolution.
4. Would the Yamaha RX-V777BT automatically upscales to 4k without me having to turn on the game settings to 4k?
**again, since you said you have 144hz you would not want to use the passthrough function. also for pc use you would want to disable upscaling (if you were using 60hz monitors or tvs) since upscaling is post processing so might introduce a bit of lag. its best for videos though.
5. Would I need an actual 4k monitor/tv for the receiver to upscale to 4k?
**for the upscaling to actually matter worth a hoot yes. again, my note on 144hz above.
6. If I were to get a 4k monitor/tv, I've read somewhere that the 4k tv will automatically upscale anything to 4k.
**it depends on the tv. some may have upscaling features ,some may not.
6a. If that's true, then the receiver's 4k upscale would be pointless?
**if the tv already can upscale then yes however it is possible that the upscaling could be better one one device than another as well.
6b. I also wouldn't have to set the game settings to 4k right?
**upscaling is absolutely no match for rendering at 4k to begin with. a 4k rendered game will be far clearer than upscaled. however an upscaled game would look far better than running at a lower resolution and stretching it over a high res tv likely at the expense of maybe a bit of lag for post processing. best to render at 4k to begin with for games (for video content any lag is irrelevant)
6c. Only one hardware would have to do the 4k upscaling or else there will be some technical problems?
**i wouldnt worry too much about it. you can always disable upscaling in settings and with auto detect you shouldnt have issues.
6d. How would I know if the contents I'm receiving is upscaled to 4k?
**you would notice the difference, if you're using a 4k display that is.
7. If some super rich guy were to purchase a 4k 120p or higher tv, the receiver will work the same, it's just that the receiver won't need to upscale anymore?
**the receiver would not need to upscale if the signal being fed to it was 4k yes. it would still be able to upscale any non 4k content such as dvd, blueray, etc. also, 120hz tvs fake the extra frames and that results in lag since they only accept 60hz input and fake extra frames in. this is completely unlike monitor 120hz which is a true 120hz source fed right to the panel. why tvs still are behind monitors is silly given the number of people using them as monitors nowdays.
8. Would I have to do anything special such as new cables/hardwares or playing with the receiver's settings or the receiver will upscale automatically to the xl2420g?
**read earlier notes on 144hz and how upscaling on a non 4k tv would be.
9. Is the classic energy 5.1 upgradable to 7.1 and beyond in the future? If so, how would I do that? Are all computer speaker upgradable to 7.1 and beyond?
**if you have a receiver capable of beyond 5.1, 7.1 etc then your receiver would support it. it depends on what your receiver supports as its maximum number of channels. if you can find extra energy speakers for sale then sure you could add them into the system and change your receiver settings. on many receivers (provided you have the connections and its supported) you can even run dual subs. as for pc speakers, typically its not so easy since the speakers are all amped through your subwoofer and its limited to the exact number of speakers it comes with. now you can add extra speakers (either by adding another set of speakers) or if you managed to pick up some of the exact same speakers but without the sub you could always amp them with a small amp and connect. you're limited by however many channels your soundcard supports. upgrading pc speakers to higher than 5.1 is always harder and not as nice to deal with (and not quite as nice sounding) as home theater.
10. Is there a 7.1 surround sound computer speaker you'd recommend?
**there are many 5.1 systems but i'm not aware of any 7.1 ones off the top of my head. also keep in mind that there is tons of content (video) for 5.1 though when you start branching out to 7.1 and 9.1 you start getting less and less (video) content for it. for gaming if its encoded in 7.1 then sure you should have no issues with gaming at higher number of channels. its not really worthwhile though (In my opinion, 5.1 is fine but others say 7.1 and 9.1 are well worthwhile.... depends on your opinion). if you do not have input for 9.1 they make fake modes to expand your surround to those channels which i've heard isnt bad though post processing might introduce a bit of delay.
11. Do receivers have input lags? or does gaming in 5.1/7.1 or beyond, etc have input lag?
**generally no as long as you're not post processing content. number of speakers shouldnt matter as well provided you have support. i will say that hdmi 1.4 is limited to 8 channels only (7.1) and to get more channels on hdmi you need to have hdmi 2.0 support (such as on new gtx970/980 though not sure if they actually are supporting greater channels despite having hdmi2)
12. Are you able to plug both consoles and PC to the same receiver and switch between them back and forth and play from the same monitor/tv?
**this is what i do. it works for all televisions and 60hz monitors at least. one of the biggest draws to receivers is the ability to swap inputs very quickly from one to the other. since you're running 144hz monitor, you could likely still route any 60hz hdmi (not displayport/dual-link dvi) through it for your non pc sources if that is what you do now currently.
13. Lastly, I'd like to hear your personal opinion about this receiver, Yamaha RX-V777BT, going with the classic energy 5.1/ the 7.1 computer speaker you'd recommend if you have any/another 7.1 speakers + another receiver haha.
**i'll have to get back to you on this (remind me below) as i have to walk out the door right now. i'll have to look at it later.