Apple TV Alternatives

[kevindosi]

I'm looking into getting something to play all of my multimedia on my TV. I've got a hard drive full of avi movies that I'd like to play, as well as all of my music and perhaps view photos too. I don't really care about streaming, but would like to be able to either plug in my external hard drive or have something that has a large internal hard drive already (1tb+). So, I think that through some hacks I can plug my hard drive into the Apple TV and play the avi files on it, which would do everything that I want. I'm just wondering, though, if there are any better alternatives you might suggest and why. A nice interface is important to me, can I install front row\boxee on other devices?
Thanks for your help!

 

[runplaysleeprun]

I have a PS3, and it works great.

Plus, then i have a PS3!

 

[themanfromvlad]

PS3 + MediaLink is what you need. A hard drive full of AVI movies sucks with TV. I just sold my TV after a year of owning it. The PS3 had quickly supplanted it after I got it for christmas. Much better entertainment machine all-around, especially with what you've told us.

 

[KettyKrueger]

If you don't want a PS3 the nyou could try WDTV or Popcorn Hour.

WDTV is dirt cheap and you can just plug in an ext. drive and off you go.

 

[Malcster]

This is what im looking at possibly replacing my AppleTV with...

LaCie LaCinema Max

500 gig or 1TB options built in, but you can connect extra Disks via USB
TV Tuner + TV Recording (Digital TV.. so iffy for the US but fine here in UK)
Plays pretty much all music/video formats, inc. HD, upscales SD content
Wifi (n)
uPnP so will also see external network storage / PC / Macs

Not cheap but a decent all in one solution, its not out for a couple of weeks, waiting on first reviews to see how it performs....

 

[8767092]

The LaCie that is linked to above looks like a decent solution except for most people the DVR would be useless as it cannot control a cable box which is needed for digital cable.

I am curious how it will compare to the Western Digital device mentioned above when playing various random video files from around the internet that might not fully follow implemented standards.

 

[kevindosi]

Thanks for your help everyone,
The WDTV looks pretty nice. Is there any way to install front row on it, or Boxee? I'm using DVDPedia with a front row extension, so I can play all of my movies from front row and the interface is amazing (all of my movies along with their covers and descriptions), so front row capability would be a big win for me.