Beginner: How many inputs?

Or do I need a UNO + some extra card

Yes an extra card or to be more precise extra components. These are called port expanders. You can use the shift in technique:-
http://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/ShiftIn

Alternatively you can use other sorts of chips like in these two projects:-
http://www.thebox.myzen.co.uk/Hardware/MIDI_Footsteps.html

http://www.thebox.myzen.co.uk/Hardware/Pendulum.html