Networked Media Player

[ElNono]

My Popcorn Hour A-110 has served me well, but it's starting to show it's age. So I was browsing around for new network media players offerings. Basically, my needs are:

Up to 1080P video (HDMI)
Divx support
mkv support
Samba or NFS or AFS sharing/streaming

I rather not have to re-encode videos.
I have some mild interest in having YouTube, but it's not a deal breaker.
I have no problem with wired Ethernet, so WiFi is not a must.
I don't have any interest in Hulu, Netflix and other paid services (I mean, if a unit comes with them, I'm not going to complain).
Ideally, I would like it to be under $100.

I basically found 5 popular devices:
- Roku XDS
- Apple TV 2nd gen
- WDTV HD Live Plus
- WDTV HD Hub
- Seagate GoFlex video

Now, the Roku and Apple TV don't support xvid out of the box, so they're pretty much out. The WDTV HD Hub is $200, and has more features than I really want (including 1TB of built-in storage).

So I narrowed it down to the WDTV HD Live Plus and the Seagate GoFlex video. I've read great things about the WDTV HD Live Plus, and not so many about the GoFlex. That said, I'm not super convinced with either.

Does anybody has any other recommendations?
Maybe somebody here owns any of those units and can vouch for them?

TIA

[Drachen]

I have a wd live and a live plus. They are both awesome. I also have a 2tb we mybookworld NAS for them to access. The live plus is running wdlxtv live plus (custom firmware) which allows you to install optware and will give you access to samba, et al. Let me know if you have any other questions

[ElNono]

I have a wd live and a live plus. They are both awesome. I also have a 2tb we mybookworld NAS for them to access. The live plus is running wdlxtv live plus (custom firmware) which allows you to install optware and will give you access to samba, et al. Let me know if you have any other questions

I hear the latest official firmwares do not let you upgrade to the custom firmware? Is that true? Also, is Samba support included by the official firmware?

Thanks.

[Drachen]

I am sorry that I haven't responded yet. Samba doesn't come with the firmware, but the firmware allows you to install it. I have heard or read nothing pertaining to your other concern (not being able to install over most recent firmware).

Here check this out

[ElNono]

Thanks