I am about to upgrade a dedicated HTPC to change from recording / viewing analogue TV (via a Telstra Clear STB) moving to Freeview DTT. I can't see that this question has been asked yet.

Viewing the Zinwell STB pdf manual on the Freeview Shop website today, the outputs on the rear panel seem quite impressive. Presuming the decoding is done inside the STB and then output direct to TV, is there some reason why the output signal can't be routed into a HTPC running MCE or DVB viewer etc instead?
 
I know one can buy an H.264 video card and digital tuner card instead (and probably alot cheaper than $450), but I was hoping that would be one way of minimising hardware, software and driver issues that seem to be bugging a lot of people.  Sounds too easy and I'm guessing thats my answer.

If this would work, I'm not sure how the signal would enter the HTPC (component in capture card maybe), or something even better - is there such a thing as HDMI 'in' cards available?

On a slightly differnet note, does anyone now if Microsoft have indicated they are working on including H.264 in the foreseeable futre??