... with most features especially a "one box" solution.

It also doesn't support Component TVs, only HDMI and composite.

It only supports "Windows" AAC, not "Apple" AAC, whatever that means. AAC is a standard, not proprietary, so I don't know what they're getting at.

This lets you show any media you can load onto it, but it doesn't connect to the ITMS, Unbox, Netflix, or any outside source. So you need to hook it to a computer, load the data, then hook it to your TV.

You'd be better off getting an Apple AV Cable for your iPod. I had a bunch of Christmas Specials on my iPod and some movies. We watched some in our hotel room & some at relatives last week.

We now rent most of our movies from the ITMS & watch them on the TV via the iPod.

For videos, I've been using Netflix, so $3.99 per movie isn't for me.

Yeah, Jack, after I re-read the finer points of the LaCie, I had to axe that from the list. I guess I'll be getting an ATV most likely.

I've now setup an Intel MacMini as my media center. I tried a G4 MacMini but due to the lack of remote control and an attempt at 3rd party options, the newer model with the built in remote worked better.

Using the MacMini gives me the flexibility to use my own choice of media center software. Here's a few I've tried:
iTheater - (FREE - http://www.itheaterproject.com/
Boxee - (FREE - my favorite) - http://boxee.tv/
Media Central ($50) - http://www.equinux.com/us/prod...iacentral/index.html
Or of course, Front Row (free with Leopard 10.5.x).

Use Handbrake to encode the movies
Point to your iTunes for an awesome media center!