I don't see a problem with using an lcd TV as a monitor - as long as you've got the massive graphics card to handle it. :-)
Usually, the media server is the box in the basement with all the big honking drives that stream the media to other boxes with the fancy graphics, but I don't think you should have any problems with playing directly from the media server.
Ubuntu should be easier than Debian - Ubuntu is based on Debian but re-designed to be easier to use. The only thing that you might have problems with is Pulse Audio, which Ubuntu defaults to. I've heard there's some compatibility problems with some programs. I run ALSA for most audio programs.
If you have the time and the boxes I suggest you set up an experimental server that you can safely screw up. That way if you screw up badly you can wipe the drives and start fresh. That's how I made the jump from Windows to Linux - by having a spare box to play with that I installed Linux on. Once I had enough money and experience I replaced my desktop with a better hardware and installed Linux.
Get the disktop part going first, then get the file sharing working. The Ubuntu forums are pretty good but search them first before asking questions.
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I don't see a problem with using an lcd TV as a monitor - as long as you've got the massive graphics card to handle it. :-)
Usually, the media server is the box in the basement with all the big honking drives that stream the media to other boxes with the fancy graphics, but I don't think you should have any problems with playing directly from the media server.
Ubuntu should be easier than Debian - Ubuntu is based on Debian but re-designed to be easier to use. The only thing that you might have problems with is Pulse Audio, which Ubuntu defaults to. I've heard there's some compatibility problems with some programs. I run ALSA for most audio programs.
If you have the time and the boxes I suggest you set up an experimental server that you can safely screw up. That way if you screw up badly you can wipe the drives and start fresh. That's how I made the jump from Windows to Linux - by having a spare box to play with that I installed Linux on. Once I had enough money and experience I replaced my desktop with a better hardware and installed Linux.
Get the disktop part going first, then get the file sharing working. The Ubuntu forums are pretty good but search them first before asking questions.
-m