Files —> tv?

So, the apple tv: when I first bought it I was excited by the prospect of throwing files up to my tv, maybe finding a linux implement somewhere down the line to stream my computer screen to the tv, streaming movies to, etc. I’ve been quite disappointed, especially as part of a family of people and their own macs. There is no solution to Syncing multiple accounts all with their own music and photos (even though I see many ways to do this). Next is the issue where, I wanted to be able to rip a DVD, copy the files over, and watch them on my tv and be able to call them up in a DVR fashion. I can almost do this, but not really.

In my situation I have to go to my dad’s computer, copy the large files over by some means (after converting them to m4v). Then I have to sync them to the tv, and if I delete them from the computer and sync they are deleted from the tv.

I’ve tried installing boxee, which is great, but too hard to use with the inept IR remote (see Why does the tv remote suck so much) and to switch between systems. My question is, how can I (with all the tools that get loaded after hacking the tv) ssh in, see a directory of somesort, drop in files and watch them. Is there a way, even if they have to still be converted to m4v I’d love anyone with any clue or ideas so my large media center is not a useless white box.
Thank you and sorry for the short novel!
~Ryan