[Leaplist] media computer

[Mr. Brunkow]

In the past I have used a combination of Debian and CentOS for media 
computers.  I am getting ready to rebuild one of my computers that has a 
bad HDD in it.  As I have not messed with either distro in a very long 
time (been playing around with Sabayon http://www.sabayonlinux.org) but 
DO NOT want to use that as my media computer.  It is to much bleeding 
edge and requires more upkeep then I want to put into a media box.

I will be playing all kinds of media from DVDs to movies I have made 
into AVI format to Dvix videos, as well as MP3 and other sound file 
types.  I know the RH line of distros does not by default have access to 
many of the "3rd party" codecs required for this type of endeavor, but 
have they blocked them completely and if not how hard/easy is it to gain 
access to all of those codecs that will be required to play my kids DVDs 
and what not?

Same question for Debian.  If I remember correctly Debian has access to 
everything, but new repositories need to be added to the sources.list 
for apt to find and install them.  I no longer have an accurate list of 
repositories for either CentOS, or Debian.  Are their members of the 
leap list that will be at the meeting tomorrow that will have this 
information for aid in getting my media rig up and running?

Many thanks.

-- 
Raymond L. Brunkow
5th Degree Black Belt
Chief Instructor and Owner
Sun State Martial Arts
(407) 786-2525