Best HTPC setup

Agree with you on the DirecTV PCI card, be lucky if they even allow it to be sold separately from certified Windows systems. Dish can be done in Linux, but they won't authorize cards on the hardware so it isn't an ideal/legal solution.

I'm thinking of getting a HD QAM card since Suddenlink finally stepped into the HD world. Waiting on the selection to improve, they currently carry 7 channels and just one network (CBS).