Foundation for High End Media Server?

[BigCityBulldog]

Objective:
I would like to build a media server with relatively low performance specs, but excellent foundation components to allow for easy future upgrades and anticipated technology improvements.

Background:
I have never built a computer before. I have 2 dell notebooks now. I have a limited initial budget and relatively small need for storage space right now. I'm not a power user, media-phile. Although, I have a decent size cd collection and a friend that is a music writer with close to 5,000 cds (and rapidly growing). I hope to build a server to catalog his music collection as a backup, as well as begin saving more movies. I also wouldn't mind trying to utilize it for a DVR set up.

Which components should fall into the budget/average/high end range? I don't have any experience in this, but I was thinking about buying a high end case, hard drive (1) and motherboard then finding used and budget new parts for the rest.

What are your thoughts?

Respectfully,

BCB

[Masaki 7-11]

What kind of budget do you have for this computer/server? Do you need an OS and/or peripherals? The prices of computers parts have come down a lot recently, so you don't really need to look at the high end for parts (because it's quite expensive, and doesn't really give you that much of an increase in upgradeability or performance). What kind of input would you need for DVR? (Composite, Component, HD Cable, Normal Cable, ect.)