OS 10.5 - How to stream (buffer) movies from an afp server over the internet?

So I'm going to study abroad in the fall and I wanted to be able to have all my media available to me easily. I setup an afp server by running netatalk on my unbuntu linux box. It works quite well in that I can mount the ubuntu machine just like any other files.

The mp3s can stream pretty easily over the internet through iTunes, but the problem I am having is with video.

If I run a big movie in iTunes, it basically plays 1 second of the movie every 30 seconds or so.

If I run a big movie using quicktime, it does better but still VERY choppy and completely unuseable. I've tried with VLC and that also runs like iTunes.

What I need is some video program that will just keep downloading and buffering so I can start the movie, pause it for 5 minutes or so and let it buffer and then start the movie.

Is this possible? Does there exist such a program?

Thanks for all help.