>Are you planning on using windows media center 2005 or vista to watch / record the tv shows? If so be sure you pick a tuner that is MCE compatible.
>Another thing that is handy is to get one that has two tuners built into it - that way if you want to watch one show while recording another one you can.

I do not need that extra functionality. The most important is to preserve the HD reception from the receiver into the PC and some ability to record.