Hey peeps, im setting up an HTPC for my boss. i get the extra income, and i enjoy setting pc up - it's a hobby. but this is going to be my first dedicated HTPC setup. id like him to use MCE to watch astro so he could record and rewatch - that would be impressive to him.

so my question is:

1. is the Hauppage MCE 150 obsolete for a standard definition ASTRO? is there a better card out there?
2. how much is the Hauppage MCE 150?
3. is the EPG still available? astro has not bloacked 3rd party users from using their EPG right? (link shows an old guide to get EPG to work on MCE... but its old, i wonder if it is outdated... http://www.terencey.net/blog/?p=65)

thanks

which winTV HVR should i get? what's the common model used for people to record astro? doe sit come with an IR blaster?

typically how much do they cost?