Grant was looking into creating a Ubuntu-based PVR. Once it was configured I’m sure it would be pretty hard to break.
Windows is rock-solid as a base install… it’s all the other crap that gets added on after initial install that makes it flakey… at least that’s what I tell myself at night.
If there was an appliance you could buy that would upscale DVDs, play HD-DVD, burn recorded shows to DVD or recompress on-the-fly, was networkable, and was upgradable to play any video format (all flavors of Divx, Xvid, and WMV), then I’d buy it right then and there. Until then, I’ll have to live with my HTPC.