Ok so I bought a USB tuner stick from Hauppauge, the 950q. First off, let me say you need a real antenna, amplified, preferred or you get like 9 channels, mainly foreign language, especially here in LA. I get NBC, KTLA, and the old UHF channels. Plan on enjoying Korean TV and USArmenian TV. The remote does launch MC and runs all the functions nicely, but you have to press with force to get the buttons to register.

Windows Media Center does not do split OTA HD channels without the MCE TV Pack 2008* that was only for OEMs until some great guys at that linked site made it available. For example, NBC in LA is split to sub-channels including NBC Universal Sports, weather, and a movie channel. With MC all you get is NBC (prime) until you add the TV Pack.

*Note: You need the other apps on that forum post otherwise you can have some troubles on recording and playback, though I have not experienced it yet.

The channel line up on MC is really nice like a typical cable menu (almost). The recording and searching is nice too, but the lag to download the channel line ups is awful and it starts the little green MC button everytime you start Vista to get the latest guide. You'll see it in the tray at start up.

The sensor for the 950q is on the side, so you need to make sure it is out in the open. WinTV is a really lame looking interface, but guess what? It works well and you can take framegrabs (aka screencaps) of your favorite shows.