Want a wireless media storage using Pi

[TheGreatGizmo]

So here's my plan,

I want to use the Pi to set up a media hotspot in my car and home. So that anyone (preferably with a password) can pull out their tablet or smartphone and stream a movie from it. And if possible do the same with the wifi in the tv's in my house.

I have a Pi with USB WiFi, and an external hard drive to store the movies on, but I know only a little about linux/unix based operating systems. So here are my questions:

What OS could accomplish this task the most effectively?
and
Where can I find information about how to set up the hotspot?

Thanks in advance for the help

[antonedvard]

i am looking at a similar project, just waiting for the money to get a new pi and a new harddrive, but almost everything else i have figured out... you could contact me if you like and i could share with u my ideas...

[TheGreatGizmo]

I'm interested. What are you thinking?