Newbie satellite/HTPC help

thegoose

Hi

I'm new to satellite on HTPC's, so hopefully you can help me out. I live in South Africa, and subscribe to DSTV / Multichoice which I believe uses Intelsat 7 and irdeto 2. I would like to stop using the supplied set-top decoder and rather take the satellite directly into my HTPC for various reasons, but I think it may be easier said than done. So my questions are:

1. This is a pay-tv service, is it possible to put a CI/CAM module into a USB PCMCIA card reader, or do you need a dedicated CI/CAM USB module specific to the satellite tuner manufacturer (e.g. Hauppage only works with Hauppage)?
2. Is it as simple as purchasing a satellite tuner and CI/CAM module + USB adapter, plugging them in, inserting the smartcard and setting it up in Media Center (currently my preferred HTPC software, believe it or not!)? Somehow I doubt it... and CI/CAM parts seem impossible to purchase in this part of the world.
3. Anyone tried using a CI/CAM setup with Multichoice in South Africa?

I am not looking to get around the smartcard at all, only to do away with the set-top box if possible so that my HTPC truly is "all in one".

If it is possible, any suggestions on the hardware to use?