Best media streamer?

[admin_exported]

I have an Arcam AVR 600 which has a good DAC and currently use an XBOX 360 (Windows media centre) as the device to stream music and video content from my NAS.

Is there a better solution to this that can handle more HD music and video as the Arcam can do all the conversion? It would be good if I could control it over iphone and use TV screen as navigation screen? The Apple TV doesn't have optical out for sound though, and would it let the arcam do the video processing?

Does it make a difference to the sound quality what streaming device you use? And if the Mac mini is best, can it run Windows 7 and media centre or is apple the way to go?

Thanks in advance, Joe

 

[Dave_]

woollyjoe:The Apple TV doesn't have optical out for sound though,

Apple TV does have optical out!

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry - meant mac mini - although A Mac TV may work? Can an Iphone be used as a remote also?

 

[John Duncan]

Mac Mini has an optical out - only (currently available) Mac that doesn't is the MacBook Air. And yes, iPod Touch/iPhone can be usd as a remote for both.