Basically I want to find a way to replace my piece of shit satellite box. I have Dish Network. What hardware/software do I need to build a system to take the place of my satellite box?

I know how to build the PVR part by getting the right hardware for the TV tunner, video card, sound card, and how to install and some what setup mythtv.

The next trick to figure out is where to get a card reader that will work in linux and that will work with my Dish Network card.

I'm all ready paying for the service I just want to use my own hardware.

well have good and bad news for you. the TV tuner card is the easy part. there are serveral out there that work great in linux. just visit the MythTV or other such sites for linux. they all have links for those cards.

the bad news is none of them will work with your satalite setup. that signal is encoded and can only be descrambled by your dish network box. that is unless you are able to find a "descrambler" for it, then you can just use that as a go between.

This "discrambler", would it be hardware or software? I've been googling smart card readers and could only find USB kind. I was hoping to find one that would fit where the floppy drive goes. I believe I saw one like that a long time ago.

If I plug the cable from the dish into the TV tuner would I be able to discramble the signal through a software method?

Keep in mind I have no intention on stealing service. I all ready have the card and am paying for it.

I just find it annoying as hell that I have to pay extra to watch the service on multiple TV's as well as being locked in on having to use "their" equipment.