is there really no recommendation for a board not using Nvidia graphics components? It would really be great to not depend on proprietary drivers.
The VIA chipset VX855 was supposed to have support 1080p support build in. But those devices do not seem to be available in non Asian regions.
AMD/ATI or Intel should also over some products fitting your need. And I heard the drivers matured quite a bit (besides Intel Poulsbo).
Unfortunately I do not own such systems.
I installed vdr-sxfe to Poulsbo/GMA500 netbook but there is no Xv and VA API is not supported by xine-lib. There is mplayer support but I don't know if deintelacing is good. I haven't tried. An unscaled window works but fullscreen is horrible. The real Intel graphics stuff is likely better but I have no experience about that.
Seppo