I don't know if this is the right place to be posting about htpc questions, but I'm just looking for a little bit of help.

I'm interested in building a computer to dedicate as an htpc at my parents house. Mother is a big movie fan and I think she would really like to have it.

I actually decided to try to go with linux because it seems that there is a lot more options available for linux, and I just like the idea better.

It will mostly be used to store movies on for the family to watch, and maybe pictures and things like that if family comes over to share. My questions are not with hardware, software only, but I'm mostly wondering what to use.

I was browsing and it looks like there is a ton of different options, which is great, but also not at the same time. LinuxMCE seems nice, but I feel like it would be a bit bloated. There is everything from sagetv, mythtv freevo, etc...

Freevo looks to have some promise, But I don't really know, what are other peoples experiences, what has worked for you and hasn't worked for you.

anything else I should look out for?

*note* this will mostly be used for just playback of stored movies and DVD movies. I don't think I will be doing any recording with it, at least not yet. Hardware is all modern. Not top of the line. but not too old either.