As an alternative to the Apple TV/Mac mini, you could consider the fit-PC2 or fit-PC2i. It is a small, low-power, fanless computer using the atom-processor. Full hardware video acceleration of H.264, MPEG2, VC1, and WMV9 using the Intel GMA500 (not sure if linux will be able to use this however).
8W at full cpu load.
Possibility of built-in IR receiver depending on which model you choose.
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As an alternative to the Apple TV/Mac mini, you could consider the fit-PC2 or fit-PC2i. It is a small, low-power, fanless computer using the atom-processor. Full hardware video acceleration of H.264, MPEG2, VC1, and WMV9 using the Intel GMA500 (not sure if linux will be able to use this however).
8W at full cpu load.
Possibility of built-in IR receiver depending on which model you choose.
http://www.fit-pc.com/web/