Set-top multimedia player

[Demon-Xanth]

Since this doesn't fit into the software catagory because it involves hardware and it doesn't fit in the hardware catagory because of the software...

I'm looking into a project to play CDs, DVDs, MP3-CDs, and divx CDs, with minimal user interface (ie: a gamepad or keypad), and just a TV for display. Auto-running would be much enjoyed, meaning it'd find the files on the disk and start playing them w/o any special files on the disk. The less OS interface visible the better.

Now here's the real kicker: as anyone who's seen Ghim and Miyu (click links below) would know, I'm a cheap ass. Ghim's run me $10 and Miyu $75 (I didn't have the LCD and hard drive)


What software is available that could do this and what hardware would be best suited? (and cheap)

 

[ttn1]

If your cheap, then you will want to look at open source software solutions. Mplayer will work for the videos and XMMS will work for mp3s, both running under linux. For DVDs and Divx you'll want something at least on the 450Mhz range.

For an interface check out projects at sourceforge.net. I believe dashPC has a decent simple interface.

I have been toying with this idea of an integrated media player for a while. I'm currently looking linux terminal server project. I plan to have a fast server with lots of drive space. Then I can stream video and music from the server to a small, slow, quiet machine connected to my TV.