Will SnapStream work with DishNetwork PVR?

[goldentuna]

I'm new to some of this stuff, but here's the deal.

I have a DishNetwork 508 PVR. I want to be able to:

1. Download / record some of the shows I have on it to my computer for backup and perhaps edit out the commercials.

2. After editing those shows - burning them to either DVD or VCD to play on my laptop, or other DVD players. (I have Ulead and Vegas editing software available for this)

3. Record other show directly to the computer instead of using the PVR.

Is SnapStream the way to go for these, or is there an easier way to get the shows off the PVR to my computer?

Will it need to be in real-time, or is there a way to "download" the files from the PVR?

How will the quality compare to the PVR?

What hardware / video capture cards, etc will I need to accomplish this?

If I use a sound card like the new Soundblaster equipped for Dolby Digital sound, will I be able to hold the good sound and surround sound from the movies I record on the PVR?

Thanks for you help.