As for video, I happen to be partial to ATI, but I'm sure someone else will have an alternative suggestion that's just as good. I have seen a 64MB 8500DV in action, and they are just amazing. When I start upgrading, I'll be looking for the 128MB version.

I use ATI stuff with the XFree86 ATI.2 drivers, which do support TV/S-Video out on many of the devices, and it's great. Most of my friends use Windows and hate the ATI drivers with a passion. I offered to take their cards