Uh, yeah, for over 5 years now. Search on 'htpc' or 'home theatre PC'
to
edumacate yourself on the topic.

Do you use a IR receiver or do you have the computer hardwired to the TV
and Tuner?

See above edumacate comment. STFW.

One doesn't hardwire connect a TV to the PC or Tuner, at least not for
control. Nearly NO televisions and precious few tuners have any sort of
wired control connections that work reliably. There are a few like
Control-S from Sony but the cost of interfaces for them end up making them
not worth it. There are plenty of IR receivers and emitters. The usb-uirt
does a fine job.

I'd guess this thread is better suited to a forum other that rec.boats, try
alt.home-theatre.misc, comp.home.automation or a website like avsforums.