ITX-PC set box development (maybe to opensource)

[c2h2]

Hi I would like to develop a server-clients project and probably make it open-sourced or partially open-sourced:

Server provides: listing, network shared media & mpeg streaming (prolly use ubuntu, ffmpeg, some ruby/php scripting)
Clients = set top box, able to watching streaming videos, and do VOD from server listing. bit similar like stuff on airplane stuff. (using Atom single/dual core fanless ITX ion-mobo (nVidia 9400)+ 1GB ram + 4GB USB as harddisk + InfraRed/TouchScreen), Running Ubuntu 10.04LTS 32bit.

I am strong c/c++ and scripting guy, but haven't done too much research on VLC development yet. I'd like to ask some qs, or If ppl can pointing me some directions (like already done similar project, suggestions)

1. Are ATOMs strong enough for playing back 720p, 1080i or even 1080p videos smoothly?
2. Is it possible to make look and feel like a set box, (I mean user doesn't have to click start from ubuntu desktop icon and use mouse to drag and drop) I assume I would need to write an auto startup Linux App provides something and launch VLC from there?
3. Is it possible to make an additional subtitle, which server can boardcast text message to clients directly?
4. Any InfraRed remote control/receiver suggestion?

Thanks

[ivoire]

1/ You must try. It will depend on the resolution. Moreover I don't know if such device has a nice GPU ? Maybe the GPU can do some decoding ?
2/ You can make you'r own application based on libvlc. Do the look and feel and let libvlc decode the streams for you and render it where you ask for the rendering.
3/ You want to stream a subtitle with the stream ? If yes that's possible
4/ No idea.

[c2h2]

thanks ivoire

can you point me some directions how to do 3? a live message/subtitle from a remote server?

[ivoire]

You can stream subtitles file along with the vidéo (look at the wiki)