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Home theater that streams video files from home network?

I have seen various brands of home theater receivers that will connect to your home network and stream pictures and music. I've seen models that connect to the internet and let you rent movies via Net-Flix. Also, models that will even allow you to insert a usb stick and or types of medium to play different forms of media. Is there any (home theater receiver) that will connect to your home network and allow you to stream video files ( .avi, .mpeg, divx, ect.)? There are a large number of set-top boxes on the market that do just that but if it's already possible to stream audio and pictures, why not video? Is Net-Flix paying off these AV companies not to make this possible or does none of these companies think people have video files of their own instead of renting them from online services? If that's the case then fine, but I need a new home theater system in the next few months and really want one that can do it all without dropping over $800 or having to buy separate boxes and have more wires to look at. If I raised eyebrows about the boxes, here's the links to a few: http://www.myka.tv/ http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-media-receivers/d-link-medialounge-dsm/4505-6739_7-31524144.html http://www.techwarelabs.com/western-digital-tv/ http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/

Public Comments

1. I have a Samsung HT-BD1150. It is a 5.1 channel Blu-Ray playing system that is pretty affordable at Wal-Mart. According to the manual, this system can do this. I haven't needed to use this feature, though.. no home network. This system will also stream Pandora and Netflix.
2. Most of the higher end receivers do. I have a Denon 4306 which is several years old. I can stream audio from my Windows PC. The newer models will do pictures and video also. Pretty much all receivers (and even small radios) have USB ports these days. You have to pay a bit more for a receiver that has network connectivity. Best bet is to get an entry level receiver that you like and hook it up to a PS3 or other media streamer. I stream everything through my PS3 and bypass my Denon. The GUI is better on the PS3. You could also use a Slingbox or cheaper media streamer and hook it into your existing receiver (if you have one). Net Flix isn't big enough to buy people...they may give free license to use their name however and it's the consumer that drives the market. Manufacturers try to give people what they want because that sells.
3. Most of the modern, top of the line AV receivers are able to receive UPNP audio and video streams from home network. If you want a really good one, I would suggest to investigate Pioneer SC-LX72 or SC-LX82, although they are quite expensive. You will need to have a PC or a NAS with UPNP server like Twonky Media Server or similar. If you don't wanna pay so much on AV receiver, I would give a chance to Popcorn Hour A-110 network media player. It's around 300 USD, and you can play almost every kind of video format, including different HD video containers like mkv. Low resolution videos can be upscaled to your TV set native resolution. Even you can use it with a hard disk inside, so no UPNP server neccessary.