I don't have room for a full-blown PC in the little stand under the tv. Of course a dedicated laptop could do the job for photos, but would not reduce the price as I assume it would have to be a new laptop to have HDMI port. I am sure there will be some similar devices at better price points soon.

I hope in the near future there will be a computer type box that will negate the need for the 5 boxes on the stand now. Or maybe it exists now, and I don't know about it? Is there, say, a laptop that could play regular and HD DVD's (or Bluray), and furnish decent music to the speakers and bass unit, and include a cable box and DVR? We already know it could handle the photos, but I do think the setup is easier with the dedicated photo album device. Surely someone is thinking up a true multmedia device for use with HD tv's?