I am looking for a TV Media center (something like Apple or google TV (With jailbreak) that will enable me to to browse the internet on my Samsung LCD TV. It also should have the ability to work with a VPN connection. Highly preferred are HD 1080P output and an HDMI connection, 2x USB (2.0) and an internet RJ45 connection. (Wifi B/G/N and the possibility to use a webcam on tv (in skype, MSN etc) can be optional)

Can anybody advise me on this?

you can get a Mac Mini, I link my MacMini to my TV with a HDMI cable, it works great!

Thanks for the Macmini, didn't know that one so far!! I read a lot about the logitech Revue which latest version/update has android 3.1 honeycomb with access to the android market place. It recently also has a slingplayer app. and these things would give it an added value for myself.

Or you could just buy a laptop with HDMI out and have all the same functionality, plus a laptop.

for web browsing, the logitech looks fine but I am not sure if you can run a vpn on it.
Keep in mind that the bandwidth and internet limitations deter most of the built-in applications from running. The VPN can solve the access issue but then you have a bandwidth issue.
Anyone has experience with streaming HD content ?

for a media player use, check the list of codecs supported by the Logitech Revue.
The more, the better.
I have a Western Digital TV live. The basic one, same price that the Revue (approx 800 yuans OBO).
Long list of codecs.
I connect it locally to a NAS (ethernet) and to a HDD dock or external HDD (USB).
It works great for movies locally. It is my main use.
I don't stream HD content through internet. I will add it on my To-Do list ! ^_^
Heard of upgrade on China Telecom up to 20MB on optical fiber...

For web browsing and instant messaging, I use my laptop (even better than any tablet) and leave the TV available for those who want to watch anything. Not sure of the confort aspect of the keyboard for logitech revue but it is a personal judgment. Some may love it !

eventually, it depends on what you want to do (movies locally, internet browsing,...) and where you make (Internet limitations).

I considered a Mac mini but I eventually install a Synology NAS. It is brilliant, easy to set up and have some available space for few months. I made my own cloud.

Great review on the WD TV live, but does it have a full browser to surf the web? My main usage will be streaming TV and a slingbox from home. For the slingbox I need an app or install a webplayer and for these reasons I am not sure whether I should go for the WD TV. The logitec revue provides slingbox support since about a week now and I hear from a friend in Europe it works great.

I have a laptop with HDMI but the space around the TV is limited and I have to put it on the floor when I want to watch streaming movies. So before my dog finally decides to pee on it after his intensive sniffing sessions every time is is there, I try to be clever in buying a TV media center in advance.....hehehe......but thanks for the suggestion anyway

no internet browser on my WD live.

looks like the logitec revue fits your needs...
let us know about your experience !

Just ordered the Logitech Revue on Taobao. Will probably arrive in a few days. Had some doubts whether i should change my mind to Apple TV as it was jailbroken in recent days, but ind the end made the decision that the revue was the better device. when I received and tried it, I will post some comments here.

any luck with it?

i really want to get youtube on my tv without having to use a laptop.

I have a galaxy tab and want to watch movies on it.What is the best site to go to to download new movies...I don't have a U.S credit card which all the ones that I have found ,seem to want.Where do I download movies from?

OK, it took a bit longer then expected, but I finally, a few days ago, I got the revue.

After un-boxing and connecting, the Revue showed a clear step-by-step install guide that immediately upgraded the Revue to Android 3.1 so I have the latest firmware. The operation went flawless although it said to last for 10-15 minutes, but in reality it took 45 minutes to complete.

Positive on the revue is that browsing internet works great and smooth from my bed on my Samsung TV. As long a website does not require you to install plugins or software to watch movies you do just fine. Pre-installed apps also work and it depends a bit on the app whether it is really smooth operation or with a longer waiting time. My internet connection is 10MB (down) and 2MB (up) so should be sufficient under all circumstances. Streams therefore seem to be OK in most pre-installed apps that are accessible in China. Emails and connecting to my companies web server also goes well. Negative is that so far I was not able to hook it on to the VPN, so no youtube/facebook yet........The revue android version does not give you the VPN option like in the mobile phone version from Android

I am not sure if you can set up your modem/router in a way that after the wall connection you start your VPN network and when you log onto that network with a computer or Revue, you automatically are tunneling........Any help to solve this matter is welcome.....

My primary goal was to use the revue with the slingbox at home. Like almost all other sling users I have sufficient band-with available for slingmedia software to run smoothly on a wireless laptop, but the GoogleTV webslingplayer freezes on the wired (and wireless) Revue when using the controls. Unfortunately I found this after started using the web-app on the revue...........Slingmedia has addressed this problem and is working on a solution. When it does works, the picture quality is comparable with the quality from an illegal dream satellite dish and is good to watch.

On a scale from 1-10, where 10 is perfect and after a few days of use I would give the revue a 6-7 for the use in China. It is clearly designed for the US (western market and internet). When the Slingplayer problem could be solved and a VPN installed, it would certainly be an 8-9.