DescentBB

Hey peeps, I'm getting really keen on buying a box for the living room. Originally, I planned to build a kicka$$ HTPC box but it's gonna be too expensive. I'm torn between two options:

1) Dumb unit - all it'll do is stream content from a server PC running dedicated software. LAN or Wi-Fi.

2) Full PC, but designed as media streamer, audio player, TV-Tuner, Time-shifter, FM Radio, etc.

I just read a review of the ASUS DIGImatrix over at XbitLabs - and they are pretty impressed with the unit.

Does anyone have a similar device - or recommendations which would fill my need to stream stuff around the house?

Lite-On has a unit that streams stuff over a network. The video is decoded on the server so it can pretty much play anything your computer can.

Alternately you could mod an Xbox.

I threw together my HTPC for like 300 bucks. So what's that, like, 1356 in kiwi funds?