re: Critique my ideal home network setup

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I've heard getting a cable card for a 3rd part DVR is a major hassle

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It takes a phone call, and it's very easy. Some companies even reimburse you the $2/month they usually charge for the Cablecard rental in their own products as a "using your own hardware" incentive.

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Torrents

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Won't touch them. I obtain media the legal way. I also will not rip disks that I do not own. I will agree, though, that if this is not an issue for you that obtaining the raw files and converting them isn't a need at all- you're already getting compressed stuff that someone else has put the effort I am describing in already. I have 5.2TB of storage, and I'm close to out. I like to hoard seasons of TV shows and movies.

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shitty DVR from Suddenlink

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Does it cost you each month? The purpose is for up-front cost to save money from long-term monthly fees. Most of this is already being accomplished without the new equipment. The new stuff is to:
1) Have a central server that's constantly running and is the backend to everything in the house, including media, is capable of transcoding large video files capably and backups as well as hosting the DHCP since the router is deficient here.
2) Upgrade from access to Clear-QAM channels to everything offered by the cable company in the highest definition they offer it in
3) Have a set-top box that interfaces with cable, the cable guide, and streaming apps in addition to all home media + AllShare Cast without having to change any inputs. Current roommate + SO complain of difficulty of the current setup, which requires one remote to turn the TV and receiver on which also controls the receiver's volume and a second remote that controls the HTPC. From this remote, Windows Media Center has access to Live TV, Recorded TV (giant catalog, as mentioned), Music (another large catalog), and Netflix. It requires a 3rd remote (RF mouse/keyboard combo) to use the web browser (Kylo sucks) or use Amazon/YouTube/essentially any other streaming service. It also takes the place of the Suddenlink box you describe, which has a monthly charge associated with it. So this setup does use 2 different devices to replace one, but that's mainly my preference. An HDHomerun Prime (or any other number of devices) connected to an HTPC will also replace the box. It will just do it in a slightly more complicated fashion that isn't hard to learn, but apparently scares those around me from using.



ETA: And I'm not against any sort of an Apple solution. But no Apple product (that I have seen) comes anywhere close to the amount of CPU power that the above HP does outside of the Mac Pro line. There are no Mac Pros that compare in the sub-$300 range (they're far too old and outdated).