[Northerner]

OK, here's what I want to do and need some guidance on how to do it. Hitachi 50" plasma is downstairs and I want to be able to select and watch any programme, DVD, streamed video from a central store. My wireless router and Buffalo NAS are upstairs in the study. I was planning to put all DVD's onto the NAS so that I don't have to scrammble about looking for a DVD and then inserting it in a player. Also want to view my collection of photos which are also on the NAS. In other words, I want to select whatever media I want to watch without having to run about looking for it. Sky+ HD and Tosh DVD recorder are already hooked up to the TV.
Now the real question is what hardware? I can do this using X-Box (I think) but since I have absolutely no interest in gaming this would seem to be a bit of a waste. My favoured option is to build a media PC. I have the case and HD's and would only need to buy a new m/board and CPU and various cards but which ones and that's where I come unstuck. Also need to know if I need to be hard-wired to the router or if wireless is an option. I live in an old house with fairly thick walls.
Well, I think you get the picture and any help would be really appreciated. Thanks folks

[MikeNelson]

An old modded X-box running XBMC will do the trick as cheap as you like. You can pick them up for around £20 in the classifieds which is an utter bargain. You do have to put up with the fan noise but it's not too bad and significantly cheaper than the HTPC option

Needs to be wired to your network.

Take a look at XBMC for more info and the xbox forum.

I've recently ripped my collection and installed two old xboxes for this purpose so if I can do it...