Intel Pentium G620 Dual 2.6GHz
4 Gb Ram
Windows 7 x64
System Drive + 2 x 1Tb
I set this up to clear the shelves of all of the DVDs that have built up over the years, so in the last few weeks I've been loaded them, together with all of my wife's CD's.
At present the only hardware player I have is a Sony BDP-S580, but will be looking to get the other A/V equipment around the house connected. I tried a few DNLA servers but settled on Serviio as the one that had the most fervent user support and leadership, so well done guys!
Whilst Serviio is taking care of my video, online and image needs, I am using MediaMonkey for music in tandem as this is software I've used for many years in preference to iTunes and can now run as a DLNA server. This is mainly for the playlist functions it gives which are easy to set up in the program.
I do struggle a bit with the HD online feeds as my average download speed is around 4meg, but that can only get better. For movie information I use Yammm as this sits quietly in the background and automatically makes a nfo file to go with any new movies loaded.
Where possible network is wired. Where difficult, I'm using 200mps Homeplugs.
What I have been struggling with is a nice front-end. The Sony Blu-ray merely lists the folders which I can readily drill-down through but my wife is not so used to the 'Explorer' type interface. To this end I have now discovered KINSKY and that gives me the 'Play To' option that everyone is after. It was developed for Linn audio systems and is more UPnP than DLNA but is a great control point and is Open Source software. This means I can use my iPad, or laptop, to queue up different files to play on each renderer and provides a much prettier and more intuitive front-end including cover-art which my wife can easily use. It can be used on iPod/iPhone/iPad/Windows/MacOSX/Linux and PocketPC and is worth a play around with.
Overall I know that Serviio would run on a much lesser spec of PC, but because I'm running two background DNLA servers, want to have the ability to feed several players at the same time and prefer a storage upgrade option, this is the direction I've taken.
The original discs are now being stored away. They took up considerable more space than a small PC now tucked away in an upstairs cupboard - thanks mainly to Serviio!

The other bonus is that my wife can much easier bore her friends with our holiday pictures on the main TV instead of me having to get them printed out.