Windows Media/RealPlayer monitoring?

Out of those options I think Big Brother probably comes closest and
it was on the checklist to see if it is useable.

I should probably have been more specific. What we are looking for is
an automated checking system that can send a text message if a
problem is found.
It doesn't have to be all in one as I believe we currently have an
email-sms gateway available to us.

if you know the basic protocol you want to talk to
the server, you can probally easily add it into sysmon.

<plug>
  http://www.sysmon.org/

  this supports snmp(get, not trap), http, pop3, smtp, as well
as the usual ping-type tests. it's primary notification method is
via e-mail (obviously e-mail -> pg gateway can be used).
</plug>

  - jared