The ULTIMATE media player/manager

[matruski]

I've looked through forums and posts, and I'm interested to see what everyone's opinion is. What is the best all around media player/manager? Preferably, keep the discussion to unhacked, out-of-the-box systems and around $700 or less. The point is to generate some discussion and debate. I want to buy the most inclusive system that can generate the best quality images. Here are the current options on the market (not comprehensive, so feel free to add any):
Apple TV, Mac Mini, X-Box, Playstation 3, Roku, Vudu, Tivo w/Amazon Unbox, Media server PCs

I'm currently leaning towards a Mac Mini... it should be able to produce 1080p, but it lacks a BluRay player as it's currently released.

Let the great debate begin!

 

[iSaygoodbye]

I've looked through forums and posts, and I'm interested to see what everyone's opinion is. What is the best all around media player/manager? Preferably, keep the discussion to unhacked, out-of-the-box systems and around $700 or less. The point is to generate some discussion and debate. I want to buy the most inclusive system that can generate the best quality images. Here are the current options on the market (not comprehensive, so feel free to add any):
Apple TV, Mac Mini, X-Box, Playstation 3, Roku, Vudu, Tivo w/Amazon Unbox, Media server PCs

I'm currently leaning towards a Mac Mini... it should be able to produce 1080p, but it lacks a BluRay player as it's currently released.

Let the great debate begin!

if you need blue ray just get a player. i did hear a rumor that microsoft was gonna make a blue ray add on for the 360 so that plus netflix makes it pretty sweet. dont expect blue ray on the apple tv any time soon. the vudu is pretty good if you realy wanna watch your stuff in hi def

 

[mastershakess]

The best would have to be a nice PC with Blu-Ray drive, end of story.

 

[matruski]

Beef

The best would have to be a nice PC with Blu-Ray drive, end of story.

my beef with a full on PC is... who wants to have a large PC tower in their living room next to their beautiful flat panel TV?

 

[Acidglaze]

my beef with a full on PC is... who wants to have a large PC tower in their living room next to their beautiful flat panel TV?

Check out the Dell Studio Hybrid. I believe you can customize it with a blu-ray drive.

 

[mastershakess]

my beef with a full on PC is... who wants to have a large PC tower in their living room next to their beautiful flat panel TV?

PC is the only way I see you having Blu-Ray, Large HDD space, NetFlix, Hulu, Surround Sound, the internet, TV tuner and an awesome picture which is all required for the ultimate media center

 

[brand]

i did hear a rumor that microsoft was gonna make a blue ray add on for the 360

That rumor has been going on for over a year now and Microsoft already discredited it.

my beef with a full on PC is... who wants to have a large PC tower in their living room next to their beautiful flat panel TV?

Who said it has to be a "large PC tower"? I don't understand why people think that all PCs have to come is large beige towers. There is no reason that someone couldn't build a microATX or nanoATX system and fully integrate it with their home theater system. Silverstone has several cases designed for a HTPC.

 

[dlegend]

you could always get an external Blue Ray player and put it next to your stereo and hide the computer behind it.