Hi all. I am a newbie to media servers and have decided to go with a hardware piece over a PC with Media Center, etc.

The only features I need are:

Streams mp3, dvix, xvid, vob, jpg from my PC via wired connection (USB or ethernet)
Support for multichannel audio outputs (5.1 and preferably DTS)
Has component video outs to my Rear Projection HDTV
Has a decent looking interface
Reliable

That's all I need. Seems the new crop of server all have HD ability and/or HD DVD players built in. I don't need all that. Thanks for the suggestions.

Gregg

Hmm...Are you looking for a device to RECEIVE the files, or to SEND them?

Judging by your requirements, I'm guessing to receive...Personally, I'm a fan of just using a modified xbox with xbox media center, especially if you want dedicated hardware. You can also get them cheap; Maybe 100 dollars used, then depending on your modding method somewhere between 25 and 75 dollars. If you have a friend with an xbox memory card you can borrow, you can drop that down to about 5 dollars on the lower end. Of course, that's what's known as "softmodding", which doesn't offer the advantages of a mod-chip, which would be closer to the higher end, and requires some soldering ability, but offers some added features.

I can go into more detail if you'd like, or if not, someone else might have a better suggestion.

Thanks yalborap. After doing some reading the xbox idea sounds good. Plus it appears that it is the only option for a truly cool GUI.

A couple of questions. I assume I need some kind of IR repeater and the DVD remote to control the xmbc interface?

I have never used an xbox as I purely a PC gamer. Does the xbox have component video outs?

Lastly - what are the main diffs between softmoding and modchip? I truly think I will only use the xbox as the media streamer and not host anything on it directly, so the 8GB standard HD is fine. All the media will sit on a PC. And I would hook the xbox to my router via wired ethernet. I won't play games on it or need the ability to store stuff on the HD of the xbox. Strictly use it for xbmc. Based on that, can I get away with just softmoding?

Also do you have any recommended link for softmodding it? I am pretty computer literate so I have no problem doing it myself. But soldering a mod chip would have to be done by someone else. Thank you very much.

You have to buy a cable for component output. It's about 20 dollars, if memory serves, for a new one. The one you get with it is composite.

And you can control it with a controller just fine. The remote also works, and I believe is also 20 dollars.

And there are two or three main differences. One, if there's a game in it when it boots, it won't have time to go into the modded mode, I guess you could say, so you'd have to start it empty each time. Also, modchips allow you to turn them off to play xbox live, or to change hardware better(can have one that lets the thing boot without a disc drive, so you can slim it down, or ones that allow for the addition of a little LCD screen, which xbmc supports).

Personally, I'd just go with the softmod. Takes maybe half an hour, really easy, and it'll do what you need. :)