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I'm offering 1 BTC to the first person who thoughtfully and successfully (subjective to my opinion) recommends a media player which meets my needs and that I end up buying.

Background:
I currently use Arch Linux + XBMC on a mini itx atom+ion system with a rosewell remote control.  This has worked perfectly for a couple years for me but now my wife want's Netflix and Hulu Plus.  Hulu is acceptable wtih an XBMC plugin but netflix is a no go in linux because of silverlight.  Therefore I need a new setup.  

I have:

• 37" TV with reasonable amount of inputs, but no sound out capability other than the built in speakers which I am not going to use.
• Creative 2.1 Speaker setup with a 3.5mm stereo jack connector.

Requirments:

• Play network shares (samba/cifs from my solaris file server)
• Play Hulu Plus.
• Play Netflix.
• Use the creative labs 2.1 speakers.
• No 3rd party apps/addons required for the previous needs (No streaming servers required to play media from the network shares, etc..).

Constraints:

• I must be able to adjust the volume from the device because the creative speakers do not have a remote control.
• I will not use Microsoft Windows.
• I have a $180 price limit, but Ideally I would like to spend under $130.
• For under < $50  720p is fine.  For >= $50 it must be 1080p.
  
• Price tag must include remote, any cables or adapters, etc..

I reserve the right to update these lists.

Just install windows and stick with XBMC.

I shall not use Windows under any circumstance.  I guess I should change the bullet points to numbers so they can be referenced :(

Well as you said, Linux and Silverlight don't play together.  I'm assuming you won't install Windows in a VM either. I don't blame you.

How about an Apple TV? It's $99 and can play netflix and hulu plus.  You can leave your linux setup for playing things from your file share.  This means you have to use two devices, but that isn't too big a deal since I'm assuming your remote can change the TV's input.

The AppleTV has HDMI and optical audio out. Since you don't want to use the TV speakers, I believe you can get an optical to 3.55mm converter.

This is similar to my personal setup with a Jailbroken Apple TV running Netflix and the Plex Client and a small ubuntu server running the plex media server.  My server was originally a high-end firewall, so it doesn't have any graphics capability otherwise it would be plugged into the TV like yours is.

There is also the roku which starts at $49.  It does hulu and netflix.

It's really hard to get a non-windows system that can do both netflix streaming and play all the different codecs off network storage.

That thing does look pretty awesome!  Only does 720p though.

Any requirements for resolution or file formats, Sp0tter?

EDIT: Also, this doesn't fit your request, but it might be something you haven't considered.  There are a lot of TVs coming out now that have web-apps built right in.  I know Visio has some with Netflix and I'm pretty sure they have Hulu, too.  You could use this as an excuse to get a new TV and keep using the linux system for local content.

You are being down right silly by dismissing Windows Media Center.... that is all.  (I use a TV tuner, so that is why I like it so much more than the rest, aside from the fact that it's really nice to begin with... one thing Microsoft did right)


Why can't you just hook the speakers up to your tv?

I've also used the western digital media streamer. It works nice and has the features you're looking for.

This might help you decide.  http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20025670-1/which-streaming-media-device-is-right-for-you/

And this looks awesome.  http://wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=330

I had looked at that,  are you certain that it fully supports hulu plus, netflix, cifs shares, and will work with any lircd usable remote?  For that specific price tag, I can deal with 720p.

720p for < $50 will fit my needs.   Must be 1080p for > $50.  I will add that to the list.   I have thought about a new tv, but there is nothing wrong with the one I have and the cost is a big barrier.  However, there is savings to be had from moving to an LED TV.... as my current one is not. 

- I'm trying to pay 1 btc to have someone else do the research, I have read all I want to read about this problem....
- Current WD products do not have volume controls...

Are you keeping in mind that I need 3.5mm audio out?

http://androidtvbox.us/products/g-box-midnight/

I hope these works out, if it does, I maybe have to replace my setup with one.

Would something like a Roku work? We've got one, and it does Netflix, Hulu, and a bunch of other stuff. Very simple to use.

What about a PS3 or Xbox?  Those can both play Netflix/Hulu and both have file share play capabilities.

I will suggest the following:

1. Get a Wii and soft-mod (http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Homebrew_setup) it so you can install HomeBrew Channel.
2. From Homebrew, download and install WiiMC (http://wiibrew.org/wiki/WiiMC), Netflix and Hulu.

The Wii
- cables out will allow you to split video and audio exits so that you can connect the audio to your Creative speakers (you might need an adapter RCA or RGB - to stereo jack ... see monoprice.com)
- has Wi-Fi to connect to your network
- has wireless remote (the Wiimote)

The WiiMC
- connects and plays videos and photos from local network (samba, http, ftp) as well as Internet (YouTube, shoutcast).
- can play tons of video formats and also displays subtitles
- can adjust sound levels
- click here (http://wiibrew.org/wiki/WiiMC) for more details

What I really like about this WiiMC is that the folder used in the last session is remembered for Video, Music, Pictures ... and not only the folder but the point in time in the video where you dropped off because you dosed off last night. :) You also get a check mark on the videos you watched which becomes very useful if you have a folder with many videos in it (i.e. a 22-24 episodes season folder for a TV series).

Note: there is one thing the Wii/WiiMC solution can't do: HD output. Even on component cable Wii hardware is limited to 480p. However I have this setup hooked to a 42" plasma and I'm very happy with the quality of the video. On a 37" should be even better.

480p is a deal breaker, especially at the Wii price point.

With the size of the TV you are using, I wouldn't recommend spending any extra $$ to get 1080p. Unless you're sitting nose deep in the TV you won't notice the difference.

have you looked into the western digital live streaming tv they are under 100 and can use netflix and play every file type off the network has a ethernet and wireless n.  I got one and now thats all i use heck it even has 2 usb ports i plug my 64gig flashdrive in and can take the box with me to watch on friends or faimly tvs.  It will even play full bluray rips iv played 16gig files on it no problem from the flashdrive and network.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005KOZNBW/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00

Just because I am using this tv today doesn't mean I will be in the future within the life span of this media player.

I second the WDTV live.

I also like a mac mini as a hdtv pc. Its unobtrusive and you can load it with linux using bootcamp.

WD Live =  NO VOLUME CONTROL

Are you sure about this?  I haven't used one personally, but the screenshot of the remote app on their page has a volume button.

http://wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=330

My friend had a boxee box.  He used it for about two weeks and then sold it.  I'm not sure why, but he didn't like it very much.

Yea there is volume control on the android app... but not on the remote and its not bindable to the remote settings... I owned one of these and got rid of it for this reason.

That's too bad.

Besides the lack of volume control, was everything else about it good?  I'm thinking about getting one since that isn't a problem for me.  I watch lots of netflix and HD mkvs off an NFS/SMB share.

It's ok.  The interface is a tiny bit laggy and it's not nearly as sexy as XBMC...  I bought it to use for a couple weeks in the hospital and it worked fine for that but I don't like the interface for long term use.

Windows Media Player Classic.