Have got a dumb old PC sitting in a corner of your home? Convert that to HTPC. Check out GeeXboX.
GeeXboX is a free embedded Linux distribution which aims at turning your computer into a so called HTPC (Home Theater PC) or Media Center. Being a standalone LiveCD-based distribution, it’s a ready to boot operating system than works on any Pentium-class x86 computer or PowerPC Macintosh, implying no software requirement. You can even use it on a diskless computer, the whole system being loaded in RAM.
GeeXboX is based on MPlayer, which can be considered as one of the less cpu-dependent movie players, thanks to the use of FFMpeg for decoding movies. All comes in 8.9MB ISO.
Hardware Requirements:
* x86 Pentium-Class CPU or above (P2-400 should be quite enough, Core2Duo is recommended for HDTV) or Macintosh NewWorld G3 (G4 highly recommended)
* a VESA 2.0 compliant graphics card (for x86 PC only).
* an ALSA compatible sound card.
* at least 64 MB of RAM (128 MB or more are recommended for HDTV)
* CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive
* Motherboard which supports booting on CD-ROM (should be ok for everyone 
* Keyboard, Joystick or Remote Controller, using a Lirc-compatible IR (InfraRed) receiver (check https://www.lirc.org to build yours), e.g. Miro PcTV’s one or ATI Remote Wonder.
