HTPC HD Tuner and Video Card

[Bachfire]

Am a "newbie" to the HTPC front and getting ready to purchase the components to build my first unit.

I have "digital" cable that broadcasts HD content and would like to be able to run this through my HTPC.

I am a bit confused as to what "tuner" card I should purchase and if I also need a separate "video" card as well. My HTPC will be primarily used for HD TV video viewing, playing DVD's and listening to music. I will not be using it for playing any 3D intensive video games.

Any recommendations to clear up my confusion on the HD TV Tuner/Video Card subject would me most appreciated.

Thanks!

[Hammerstein]

Since you're using a cable box, there's not a whole lot your HTPC can do to interface with it. In other words, the cable box is your HD tuner.

As a result, I'm not sure if there's any great way to handle your situation. If you'd like to run the video to your PC, the highest quality method currently available is probably through component video. You need an ATI all-in-wonder card to do this, though, or another video card that supports component in. There is no digital inputs for HD signals that are currently available for the PC to my knowledge, and I suspect that there is none for a reason -- it's far too easy to pirate media if you can use digital inputs.

Anyways, basically, you'd end up using your cable box to control what channel you watched. I'm afraid there's no way of using your PC to tune digital cable.