Brad maybe I can return the SPL meter favor by helping you in this department. Are you wanting to use it as just a DVD player/Media storage warehouse or are you planing on complete Media Center configuration? There's a pretty good section on the avsforums on HTPC's. Also TheaterTek has some forums with some good info.

I'm using mine as a DVD player (mainly due to it's excellent ability to change aspect ratios) and storage but also have Windows Media Center Edition on it so it's capable of much more.

Does the Video card have DVI out?