flexible no frills content streamer?

[Raasy]

Hi All,

I've recently removed my media pc from the plasma and I'm looking for a cheap alternative. Thing is, I've got a sky box and with the benefits of sky+ I don't need an additional function to record (which seems to be where the money goes).

I love doing my own research for gadgets like this, but in this case the information online is scattered all over the place and there are literally hundreds of units available from manufacturers I've never heard of. Prime example is the 'popcorn hour' player that seems to be getting alot of attention.

So I'm really looking for some informed recommendations or a short list of units to look into if possible. Key requirements are:

-Wifi is a must (as it will sit 10+ metres from router and pc upstairs)
-HD would be nice (plasma will go to 720p).
-not bothered about recording
-A pretty flash/intuative GUI
-Must be 'quiet'.
-loads of supported formats (xvid, divx etc)
-HDMI

So not asking too much :). I would really appreciate your comments on this one.

Cheers all,

Raas

[dodgyd]

Modified series1 XBOX running XBMC fulfills almost everything in that list except HD (I have one) and WiFi, it's also not totally quiet. My Popcornhour arrives tomorrow hopefully, but that doesn't do WiFi either (a future model will have it).

PS before I get flamed, XBMC DOES NOT DO HD :) Yes it can output at HD resolutions, but it doesn't have the processing power to handle the HD content such as .ts files.

The Tvix players are well liked, a lot more expensive, not sure what your budget is?

Dave.

[Matt Horne]

Forget HD if you are only going to stream over wifi.. just not enough bandwidth..

dodgyd,

looking forward to your thoughts on the pocornhour when you get it..

[Raasy]

I did think this, but at least if I choose to upgrade to a powerline hardwire network I still have that feature.

Was hoping to spend about £200-£250.

Is there a wifi streamer of choice at the minute?

[Matt Horne]

Not really... I am just getting my hardwire lan put in for my TVIX.. only thing I use wifi for is my squeezebox.