Direct TV and Media Center PC

[snappy1031]

Can someone help me, I am new here.
I have a Samsung Receiver with Direct TV. SIR-S300W. I am connected thru a splitter using Coax cable so I can watch my TV, and my Monitor which is a SONY 19" LCD. I am having the following problems.
1. I can't get the channels to change using the Microsoft remote, I see the channels change, but nothing moves. I can only change channels with my Receiver remote. I have the IR, isn't that the thing that comes with the Microsoft Remote that has 2 sets of Wires? Is that supposed to go on top of my Satellite Receiver?
2. The quality or integrity of my picture on my Sony Monitor isn't as good as it is on my TV? Would S-Video from the Receiver into the Monitor make a big difference?
3. How do I know if I have Dual Tuner, all I see on the Back of this TV card in FM, and TV, so If I am stuck with a single tuner, what is the best TV Tuner card in the market that would allow TV in, and OUT, and Multi Tuners?
4. Will I get the best signal by going directly from the Receiver to the PC Card?
5. Am I able to change channels while using a Direct TV receiver?
I have XP Media 2005, AMD 64 Bit, MSIK8N, 1 GIG DDR,NVIDIA Ultra 6800, and the WinTV-PVR

[Ioman]

Whoa, kind of a hard post to read.

So it sounds like you have Satellite (DirecTV), a home theater receiver, and a Media Center PC correct?

It is VERY hard to use satellite with a Media Center PC for a couple reasons. First of all, don't even touch the WinTV-PVR card in your computer if it is a TV tuner as well. It will only work with basic cable (not even digital cable) and will not work with satellite.

You will need to use an IR blaster/repeater if you want to change the channels on your satellite using the Microsoft remote control. You also cannot use a splitter on a satellite cable it has to go directly into your satellite set top box, and then you plug that box into your PC using the S-Video input.

Then use VGA/DVI/S-Video output from your computer to the monitor or television. This depends on what type of output your video card has.

It doesn't matter if your Media Center PC has a dual tuner if your satellite service does not have a dual LNB going to that room.

Satellite is a pain in the butt with Media Center PC's. So is Digital Cable, and HDTV.