configuration for playing Mpeg4 files

[pcll99]

I have a bunch of mpeg4 files I downloaded from the net (mostly TV shows in HD). They are of different formats (eg Xvid, Div3/4/5, H.264, mpeg2) and resolutions (eg, mostly 720x480, but sometimes 1024x576, but rarely higher). I don't intend to use the PC to play HD-DVD or Blu-ray. My PC has a Pentium 4 at 2.4G with 512MB RAM.

I intend to buy a new TV to connect the PC to it to watch these mpeg4 files. I am also thinking about buying a standalone DVD player with Faroudja DCDi (probably Yamaha DVD-S1700) so that I can watch DVD in near HD. My question are as follows:-

1. Is my CPU and 512 RAM enough for me already? Is the power of the CPU important for my purposes?
2. What kind of graphics cards are good for me? Do I need a card with HDMI connectivity? Or DVI and/or VGA would be enough? My existing card only has DVI, VGA and S-Video.
3. Should I connect my PC to the TV using DVI, HDMI or VGA? which is better? I am assuming my new TV and graphics card will have all three.
4. What kind of TV would be good for me? Is the resolution of the TV important? Do I need 1080p?

Thanks.

[Baldrick]

1. It should work fine with everything. Even 720p H264 should work fine if you use Coreavc, see http://www.coreavc.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28&Itemid=1 . But you will probably get problem with 1080p H264,VC1 (used in hddvd,bluray).
2,3. I have a DVI graphic card and I use a DVI to HDMi cable to my projector and it works perfect.
4. I don't know...I'm using a projector....but I'm maybe thinking of getting a plasma 50" with at least 720p.