I am currently looking to build out a system that allows me to centralize all of my media at home. I want the ability to play ripped DVD's, record HD TV and Standard TV, and stream this to other TV's in the house. I have been reading the forums here and have many questions answered, but of course all this reading has led to other questions. I am very new to the whole home theater PC thing so please pardon any inconsistencies in my questions, I have researched enough to be dangerous I guess. I will try and include all the information that hopefully helps get some of these questions answered.

1. Record all HD channels on a home built PC running Vista MCE. I know there will be no cable card that will work for this, but if I keep one of my HD cable boxes and make it an input source on say an ATI TV Wonder HD650? I understand that the PC cannot record an encrypted QAM channel, but can it record if I keep one set top box? I currently have 4 HD boxes in my house and want to remove 3 of them. The HD boxes I have are Scientific Atlanta 3250 HD. Once of my boxes currently has the DVR built into the box and is provided by the cable company. Would love to stop paying a monthly fee for recording.

1a. Is there a better capture card that you would recommend over the ATI?

2. From what I am seeing an extender looks like the best option to have my other TV sets to view the DVD's I have ripped and programs I have recorded. I see understand about changing the FourCC in the file if I choose a Linksys 2100. My question is is this extender the best option to meet what I am trying to accomplish. I know I just missed the sale dell had on these, but am still trying to figure out what to do here.

3. I started with a MythTV setup, but Netflix still isnt supporting the online playing of movie so I scratched that idea and went towards MCE. I looked at Sage a little as well, just seems that a lot of good things are said about Vista MCE. Is Vista MCE the best method for my goals?

If this is possible I should be able to remove the DVD players at all the TV's as I will just rip all my DVD's and increase storage as needed maybe even a NAS box down the road. I should also be able to remove 3 HD cable boxes including the 1 with the DVR built in. Kind of sad that I am thinking it will remove the monthly fees I pay now, considering the cost I will incure to get this up and going, but that's the fun part right?

Other miscellaneous info, please comment/give recommendations is needed.
Misc.
Network is a gigabit wired setup wireless n available.
Main system, dual core 2.20, 4gb RAM, 1tb 7200 RPM HD, 100Gb OS HD, Nvidia 8600 GT, C-Fi Extreme Sound Card, Vista Ultimate.
All TV's have HDMI and Component.

Thank you all for your previous posts they have guided me to understanding a lot more of this. If there is anything I left out that I would need if you can lead me in the way of obtaining what I would need it would be appreciated. Thanks again.