Poor mans Ubuntu media server

So with all my spare time...i have set up my ubuntu box to my TV. This works great except for the fact that my TV only accepts VGA input of 1024x768 meaning all that widescreen glory is lost.

If, however, I had a more intelligent TV this would be a suitable solution without having to buy an appleTV. You don't need software, I just transfer media/video files to the ubuntu box and play them.