What Hardware?

[Lowtrawler]

I have around 50Gb of MP3 files and 100 x DivX encoded video files (80Gb). I want to replace my current DVD+R (no hard disc) recorder and replace it with something that will allow me to store, retrieve and play the MP3 files and DivX movies as well as recording TV from my NTL box.

Can I achieve this efficiently with a hard drive DVD recorder and if so will the cataloguing and retrieval of MP3 / DivX be straightforward? Alternatively, do I need to buy a media centre PC?

If a DVD recorder will be suitable - what would you recommend?

[pchan]

I have a LG DVD recorder that support Divx. Transfer Divx files to the recorder hard disk is damn slow. It won't play all Divx files.

You can try hard disk player such as Modix or Iomega. It's basically a hard disk enclosure that supports DVD/Divx playback and it comes with a remote.

[Lowtrawler]

I'm not worried about the transfer rate to the disc and can ensure all the videos are correctly encoded to work. Hence, my main concerns are:

(a) How easy is it to find and select the correct MP3 or DivX file i.e. it has to have good menu driven search and select.
(b) It will need to access an EPG for the NTL box - is this even possible?

I have been looking at the KISS DP558 as a potential solution but can find no information on either of the 2 questions above. This seems to be farely common for all other potential solutions. Can anyone help?