A PC for Divx playback on a big TV, Recomendations please

[jasg]

What spec, which cards what OS...
or maybe a laptop
needs to play divx. vcd dvd mp3... are not important as my DVD player will handle these
Ideally it'll sit next to my big TV, what else can it do on a budget (tivo style?)
what is the minimum spec processor suitable for divx, i have a celeron 300 round here somewhere, would that do the job.

TIA

[herbapou]

I would definatly used a desktop casing. I saw some great looking silver and black compact desktop casing that are about the size of a VHS.

Now you have 2 choices, do you want to used it to play DiVX movies only or used it has a recording / playing unit.

If its just for playing, you need a video card with just TV-out and a regular CD-rom or DVD drive. A small HD would be ok to. BUT, you better use a fast CPU because DiVx 5 playback require lots of cpu power. I dont think a 300 mhz celeron would do the job. Wireless keybord with some kind of integrated mouse device (ball, ...) would be very usefull. You might also think of networking this PC with your other PC`s if the wiring is not to much trouble...

This is I am thinking of doing myself: A record/playing unit with a large HD and a CD-R/RW drive. A capture video card or an outside capturing device. (USB or firewire hook into the PC). That would be great :)

Good luck