I have seen a large number of hard drive multimedia players out there, and I was wondering if anyone has any experience with these?

Basically, they will allow you to copy just about ANY video/music/photo file ()including mp3/divx/iso/anything else....) to a hard drive in a special enclosure, and then output it to component or any other output you want without the need for an HTPC right next to your projector/tv.

They will even allow you to copy entire DVD's to them (.ISO files), so you can have any DVD at your fingertips complete with DVD menus and all the bonus features as if it were playing from your DVD player.

Some are even portable to play your mp3's in the car through a builtin fm transmitter and a car adapter plug. Others are networkable so you can stream movies to them, or just download movies to them. Some of them even allow host usb connections so you can add even more hard drives in USB enclosure (so you can have a 750GB movie center rather cheaply, or up to a 1500GB movie center)

Currently I am trying to decide on which one to buy. The TVix 5000u (supposed to come out in January) sounds like one of the best with a network connection, component/s-video/DVI/composite connectors, up to 1080i playback, 2 host USB ports for adding more hard drives, remote control, WMV 9 and WMV HD support.

The MediaGate 350HD ("coming soon") has a lot of the same features, plus a wireless network connection built in. I am thinking one of those 2 would be the best.

Does anyone have experience with any of these?

TVix 5000u:
http://www.tvix.co.kr/ENG/Products/HDM5000U.aspx

TVisto 3500:
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=35...v05-_-naproduct
http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000887062057/

MediaGate MG-35 or MG-350HD:
http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000837031621/
http://www.mediagate.co.kr/english/prod_mg350.htm#spec

FIA On3 Pro:
http://www.fiaon3.com/On3_pro.cfm

Modix HD-3510:
http://www.modixsales.com.au/ModCoreFrontE...x.asp?pageid=90
http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000713034799/

I would be VERY interested in using one of these.

Do any of them have built in controls for brightness, contrast, gamma, color, etc ?

If so this would replace my HTPC in a heartbeat. I'd just copy all my movies to the hard drive and then also tape my high-def to it.

Must do some more research.

I haven't heard of any that you listed, but a modded Xbox can do most of the things multimedia players do, and more.

Thread discussing this

How to mod an Xbox

It can't upconvert to 720p or 1080i can it? How about digital outputs for 5.1 or 7.1 THX ?

Also, will the xbox play iso files on the hard drive?

Xbox Media Center (XBMC) is the program to use.....it has tons of features and abilities.

Yes, XBMC can play ISOs from the hard drive, plus it can upconvert to 720P or 1080i.
I don't care much about audio, so I don't know about 5.1 or 7.1 THX.

XBMC is always being updated, so if it doesn't have a feature you want, just wait.
You can find out more by reading their FAQ and forums at their website: Xbox Media Center

My DVD collection is at least 90 DVD's and growing. Can you connect multiple hard drives to the XBOX?

Yes, you can, but you can't have them operating at the same time. You would have to wire in a switch to switch between multiple hard drives. You probably also wouldn't be able to switch on the fly.....a reboot is required after you select another drive.

Hmmm.... I guess I'll just have to wait until January when the M-5000U comes out. As far as portability, expandibility, and ease of use, I think that is the way for me to go (I think it is probably a bit more girlfriend friendly).

just to add in, the x-box media center lets you play media files and such from a network mount so you could have fileserver or just a bunch of space on your desktop and play the files from the x-box