This here would be plenty of computer. Essentially its a Pentium D with Windows Media Center edition, the combination of the two are what's known as Viiv technology. It'd definitely let you do your digital photos, some videos and it'd double as a DVR/PVR machine. You could record your favorite car shows and burn them to a DVD.
Here
And, would come in well under $1500 with a LCD monitor. I have had, and recommended, Dells in the past. However, they just aren't what they used to be (both in hardware and service).
T.