Summarised Setup

This is the cheapest yet most effective way I could get Windows Media Center setup on a dedicated box and streaming to my XBox's around the house, and also share the media folders for other computers that play using Windows Media Player.

1. Operating System
   Windows 7 Home Premium is more than sufficient. I am running Windows 7 Ultimate though just because I have it.
2. Software (For playing/streaming movies)
   Windows Media Center (already installed)
   DivX Pro (purchase the full version for full mkv support and encoding of HD DivX's. http://www.divx.com/)
3. Downloading movies
   a. JDownloader (http://www.jdownloader.org/) to queue and download content - especially dlc packages - from RapidShare
   b. http://www.rslinks.org/ for RapidShare links to movies.
   c. A RapidShare account from http://www.rapidshare.com/
4. Hardware (sufficient to handle 3 simultaneous HD streams with no problems)
   a. Dell GX-280. P4 2.8Ghz with 2Ghz RAM. These are good solid servers and can be picked up in SA for around R1,500 with the above spec and a DVD drive. Cheap cheap goodness.
   b. As much HDD space as possible to store all that movie goodness.
   c. No need for a decent graphics or sound card. The on-board rubbish is sufficient. Only to work on the machine. Once setup though, remote desktop is fine. The XBox will handle the rendering.
   d. A good wired network. Streaming HD on wireless is not recommended unless it is a good high speed wireless connection on the n draft.