Help picking out FLAC/MP3 player for home stereo Options

[valnar]

I have a large collection of FLAC and MP3 files on my home Windows server that I ripped. Almost all the FLAC files are entire album files with embedded CUE sheets. I have WiFi and CAT6 connectivity to my home theater/stereo/TV setup upstairs if necessary.

I am looking for a device or small Linux distro that will play FLAC and MP3 files through my existing Pioneer Elite receiver with the use of a remote. Integration into my TV is a must so I can see and select the song or album I want to play. It has to stream or play the files from my server - I am not interested in an internal HDD.

I believe several hardware options exist for something like this, but there is a kicker. I would prefer something that either downloads, or displays my own cover art with each album. Something in the way Windows Media Center works.

Any suggestions?

[valnar]

I'm reading too much. Must stop surfing.

Now I'm just looking at getting an AppleTV v2, jailbroken with XBMC. It'll save me buying another box in the future to do Netflix and other things. That way I can use FLAC now and convert to ALAC later if I choose. I have the Apple ecosystem anyway....

Any reason NOT to do this? I realize that a jailbroken ATV v2 is a frozen snapshot in time and probably can never be upgraded again without breaking something. I suppose my biggest question is what happens if Netflix or Hulu decide to change the format of their streaming?

[garym]

Any reason NOT to do this? I realize that a jailbroken ATV v2 is a frozen snapshot in time and probably can never be upgraded again without breaking something. I suppose my biggest question is what happens if Netflix or Hulu decide to change the format of their streaming?

Really doesn't matter so much about the future. Apple TV boxes are cheap enough to be basically throw-away when no longer useful, even if that's next year.