A WSJ reader is looking for a media player that can connect to a home theater and play all songs, videos, and photos that exist on other computers. Walt suggest using Apple TV that can also play YouTube videos without requiring a computer.
Walt – Apple TV fetches music, photos and videos from your home network using either a wired or a wireless connection. It can connect to your TV set or home theater via a variety of analog and digital ports, including component-video, HDMI, and optical and analog audio.
It supports high-definition video and works with any computer, Windows or Mac, that has Apple’s free iTunes software installed and running. Apple TV handles many standard photo, music and video formats, but it is limited to music and video files that iTunes can handle. Link.