I have an Aspire 1 with Fedora on it for exactly what you are using it for.
Basically I would download a few linux flavours and run them as a live OS and see which one takes your fancy.
Its quite simple to set up the linux flavours as well to play DVD images and also music if you so wish.
I have managed to get BBCi running on mine and if you want PM me and I will give you details on how to con the server into thinking you are in the UK for downloading programs to watch.