Western Digital WDTV new version

jagabo · Member Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Location: none

Some details on the rumored updated Western Digital TV HD Media Player:

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/08/17/wd_tv_2/
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1167923

Ethernet port! DTS and component out too.

Update 13-OCT-2009: It's official: http://www.wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=735

It does have Ethernet, DTS, and component output.

jman98 · Member Joined: 08 Oct 2004 Location: Freedonia

Thanks for this. I suppose it might be worth mentioning to those who don't own the current one that the current player does support DTS right now in pass through mode to a receiver which can decode it. So having a DTS encoder built into the player isn't that big of a deal for me, but I guess if someone is a cheapskate with only an HDTV and no receiver then it might be a big deal to that person.

There is a hacked firmware available for the current player that supports wireless streaming, but I've never tried it. Playing off USB thumb drives works fine for my needs. Official support might be nice I guess, but it's not like you are powerless with the current player.

One thing that stands out to me is that the AVS forum has a LOT of seriously pissed off people bitching incessantly about how much the current player sucks. Screw them. I hate AVS. I really do. Anyway, most of the people here find that the current player works fine for their needs. Do note that the next gen player does NOT appear to any support for HD audio formats currently used on Blu Ray, so if someone is expecting that, they will be disappointed.

jagabo · Member Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Location: none

Most of the complaints at AVS Forums seem to do with advanced audio from Blu-ray rips. 5.1 AC3, AAC, and DTS is good enough for me. I'll probably break down and get one. I've been waiting for native ethernet support.

TBoneit · Member Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Location: USA

I read tha whole message thread and I wonder what player they are using.

I use mine all the time and I never noticed that it was useless junk like that set of posts would imply.

I like mine and am thinking of getting a second one for another room.

My only gripe is some mp4 only play the audio through my sound system and not through the HDMI cable. Most play fine with audio through the TV. Those would play OK on the other TV I'm thinking of getting one for.

Cheers

stiltman · Hi Ladies Joined: 10 Jul 2003 Location: Studio 54

I just picked one up last night.
just composite and HDMI
Haven't tried any othe the modded firmwares

So I guess this is the old one
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jman98 · Member Joined: 08 Oct 2004 Location: Freedonia

@stiltman - Correct. The new one in jagabo's links hasn't even been announced officially. It's a sneak peak of a model that might go on sale sometime in the near future. There are 2 firmware hacks available. One allows you to play from USB attached DVD drives if you put a USB stick in the other USB slot (they can't make the USB DVD drive work without using the other slot as well). The other one allows wireless streaming. If you're interested but can't find them, send me a PM about it and I'll look them up for you. I've used neither though.

@TBoneit - Yeah, I don't get it either. I guess some of those AVS losers act like they are being asked to give up a testicle because (gasp!) HD audio formats aren't supported. You know, I find it amusing that none of those people blinks about the video being re-encoded down to a much significantly lower bit rate, but you dare to give them AC3 or DTS instead of high def audio (even though probably 99% of them couldn't tell the difference) and they act like some crime against humanity has happened.

robertazimmerman · Member Joined: 03 Nov 2003

Would you folks still criticize the AVS people if they said that they preferred the sound of CDs to MP3s? It is the same analogy as DTS-MA & Dolby TrueHD to Dolby Digital 5.1 & DTS.

Supreme2k · Posted: Aug 20, 2009 18:27

KTH · Member Joined: 10 Feb 2003 Location: United States

So where does the WD TV mini fit into all this?

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=681

jagabo · Member Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Location: none

lowellriggsiam · Member Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Location: United States

The people in AVS were generally complainig that it didn't play things it never claimed to support.

jagabo · Member Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Location: none

It's official (list price US$149, Google search show US$120 on the street):

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=735
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/index.asp?cat=30
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/10/13/review_media_player_wd_tv_live/

rumplestiltskin · Member Joined: 15 Jun 2003 Location: United States

Stay away from the "mini" version. You save $20 but give up a number of formats and features you will regret later. You'll have to examine the WD web pages for the two products (now three, with the new Ethernet-equipped model) as they do not have an all-inclusive comparison matrix.

I've owned the non-mini model and can report it works quite well, especially if you have an older, composite SDTV and still want to have it play everything your AppleTV will (and then some).

SingSing · Member Joined: 30 Apr 2001 Location: U.S.A.

Sigh...., does not play flash video.

jagabo · Member Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Location: none

jstewart · Member Joined: 26 Mar 2005 Location: United States

The first one is one of the greatest electronics I have owned. Bought a 400gb Passport drive with it and take it over to friends houses/parties. Eventually, it will be built right into a TV. But for 100$ it is one of the best investments I have ever made. I use it for seasons, movies, ects.

edDV · Posted: Oct 13, 2009 13:39

stiltman · Hi Ladies Joined: 10 Jul 2003 Location: Studio 54

I'm going to pick one up tonight. It has the main thing I wanted and that was component output. My HDTV only has DVI, and my HTIB is using it. So instead of buying a HDMI switch and hoping every will work with my generation 2 TV, I'll just use my last set of component inputs. Then I'll router the digital audio to my HTIB surround sound system.

BTW, my HTIB has a HDMI input, but it's also real old (same age as the TV) so nothing seems to work with it (comcast, HD-DVD player, WDTV)
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tgpo famous MAC commercial, You be the judge?

jagabo · Member Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Location: none

It looks like it uses some special adapter cable for YPbPr.

MOVIEGEEK · The Dude Joined: 08 Mar 2002 Location: CA,USA

Now if the TV Live streamed Netflix it would be perfect.
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stiltman · Hi Ladies Joined: 10 Jul 2003 Location: Studio 54

edDV · Posted: Oct 13, 2009 15:52

misterbill · Member Joined: 12 May 2007 Location: South Florida

jagabo · Member Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Location: none

rumplestiltskin · Member Joined: 15 Jun 2003 Location: United States

Just checked the WD website. They now have a main page for the three devices and, indeed, it is a comparison matrix.

budwzr · Member Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Location: United States

Is that Leisure Suit Larry? Hahaha, what a hoot.

MJA · Member Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Location: IL

I wonder if you can access redtube.com

lowellriggsiam · Member Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Location: United States

I had the original WD HD media player and was quite pleased with it. The local Best Buy didn't have the new version, but they did have the Seagate's New FreeAgent Theater+™ HD Media Player. I bought it and it works even better. It even plays DVDISOs menu and all. It loads quicker and the picutre seems smoother. It has an yet to be released wifi antenna. These new devices sure have been exciting.

MJA · Member Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Location: IL

I think the FreeAgent Theater+ is not wifi friendly like the WDTV2

MJA · Member Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Location: IL