Ive heard they make a timer that you can plug into a pc socket so the light will turn on and off when you want to to. Ive also heard that they make a dimming device that can be pluged into the PC socket. Pretty cool hunh?

And yes, you can dim a HID lamp.

And yes, you can dim a HID lamp.

But you should have special dimming ballast, what has generally fixed supply input wires (connected to phase and neutral of a supply line) and a separate wire(s) for control. For sure well made HID dimmer system will never have a form of a "photocell" replacement.
Phase-cut circuity (possible to fit into PC replacement, working well for incandescent) is not a good way to go, as lamps start to cycle and wear out quickly...