Sounds like even the cablecard systems are running in to trouble.  I love Vista Media Center, but  now that everything is going HD (which I need and like) it renders the VMC pretty limited without extensive, expensive, and complex hardware add-ons.

I now have a new D*tv HD DVR and the VMC.  I thought the point was to have everything rolled in to one box.

I really believe internet TV will fix this for us soon.  Takes care of interface issues and media monopolies. (sorry off topic)