Play media on a PS2 without modchip?

Hi all, I just "discovered" the wonderfull world of PS2 today.. so I'm really new to all this. I've bought myself a secondhand PS2 that has not been modded in any way. I does not have a hd, and it came with 1 memory card. I do not have a networkconnection to my PC, so basically i just have the dvd-tray as input.. :lol:
I would like to use my PS2 to play all kinds of media on my tv.

Now my questions :
- What is the easiest way to get started? (are there any nice tutorals?)
- Is it possible to run SMS on my configuration and watch DIVX movies or do i need to put in a modchip?
- How do I install SMS? Do I need to install somekind of ELFsoftware and how does a newbie install this??

Lots of questions.. but it is really hard to understand all of the cryptic slang on this forum :D

Here is how I got going:
Bought a network adapter, 120 gig maxtor HD, and a retail version of HD loader.
I then fiddled around and got my ps2 hooked up to my PC via LAN. After that I was able to put elfs (ps2 homebrew programs) onto the mem card and it hasn't stopped yet... There are plenty of tutorials around if you google enough.

As for sms, I have not tried to get this going so I have no idea.

As they say there is more than one way to skin a cat (I hear they make good mittens) so I'm sure there are other people that would rather just mod their machine, etc. to get these programs working. I enjoyed the challenge of getting it working without modding the ps2.

well the only way you can get started to do all this is by installing and exploit to your Memory Card. You can install programs "known as elfs" onto your MC. There is programs that play games (HD loader) , movies (media player 1.50), homebrews, mp3's (ps2mp3se), etc.

But loading the exploit can be a task of its own unless you know someone that can do it for you with their modded ps2. I have a unmodded ps2 and loaded my exploit via USB flash drive (max drive). I don't mess with FTP or anthing all thru flash drive.

Like guy aboved me mentioned, I started with exploit and HD in my ps2. then I started messing with emulators like nes, and genesis. I am planning to do snes next.

Also if you prefer you could always get AR MAX media player (retail disk). Supposedbly it can do alot of the stuff you are looking for.