Linux Based Media Boxes?

Matt Dugan returns an old question to the forefront: "I am building a Linux-based 'media box', which will sit alongside the TV, Stereo, VCR, etc.. My goals are to play DVD's, MP3s/Oggs, CD's, VCD's, and the occasional Divx AVI. Though DVD support isn't perfect, I expect it to be well on it's way by the time I get everything set up and running the way I want, but my problem lies here: I want to be able to do 'real-time' video capture to an IBM Desktar 60GXP 30GB drive via a Pinnacle DC10+ MJPEG PCI card. Has anyone else successfully configured such a beast?"

"Here are the system specs:

• Socket 7 MB with onboard Video/Audio, ATA-66/33 IDE
• AMD K6-III/400MHz processor
• 128MB PC100
• Fujitsu 6.4GB primary HD
• IBM Deskstar 60GXP 30.7GB secondary (in removeable 5.25" caddy)
• Pioneer 10x/40x DVD-ROM
• Generic 24x CD-ROM
• Pinnacle DC10+ Video Capture Card
• RealTek 10/100 NIC

I would prefer to run Vector Linux, for the smaller footprint (gives me more space for Music on my primary HD) but I am open to suggestions. Also, what video cards give the highest quality TV-out under Linux?"