Please rec' me Nettop, Boxee vs. WDTV vs. AIOS HD

[javyn]

Hey everyone.

I am trying to upgrade from my WD TV first gen, which I love, to something comparable that will stream Netflix and Youtube.

Of course, since I love my WD TV first gen so much, I bought a WD TV Live 2011/SMP as a no-brainer.

This ended up being a disaster. Even though this unit claims to read 3 TB external drives, every time I plugged my 3 TB Hitachi into it, it froze up and crashed.

I then tried with my 1 TB Hitachi that I have been using all along on my first gen with no problems, the new WD TV Live won't mount that either.

Netflix crashes probably 25% of the time, Youtube crashes it 100% of the time.

I am using the most up to date firmware, and even disabled the Media Library feature to no avail.

So anyway, I am returning this unit for a refund, and am at a loss as to what I should try next.

***

WD TV Live 2011 / SMP - This has the features that I want. Built in WiFi, plays every format you can throw at it (MOST IMPORTANT), optical sound output.

Boxee - I know nothing about this, how does it compare to the WD TV Live?

AIOS Media Center HD - This thing looks sweet, and definitely has my attention, but I've never even heard of this brand until now. Thoughts?

What I need is something that can definitely mount a 3 TB external hard drive. I'd like networking, wifi a plus, but not necessary, ethernet will do if it has to, and something that can play a wide variety of codecs, which means those Rokus are useless for me.

What would you guys recommend I do?

Try out another WD TV SMP in case the one I got was a lemon, try a Boxee, or go for the AIOS?

edit: I am seeing now lots of complaints about how WD leaves its customers high and dry re: firmware updates. Looks like they'd rather release new hardware rather than fix problems with existing units' firmware. Also something I need to consider.

[jman98]

What I need is something that can definitely mount a 3 TB external hard drive.

This requirement is the killer. Everything I've read suggests that 3 TB drives are problematic everywhere, even on PCs. I know you don't want to hear that but you may need to wait longer for devices to be able to use those drives without problems. 2 TB is the largest size currently available that usually works without problems.

Do note that if you are trying to attach this drive in an unpowered enclosure that some of your problems may caused by power issues. I don't think USB 2.0 connections are actually capable of providing enough power for a 3 TB disk drive.

I also have a WD TV first gen and I think the WD criticisms are right. WD seems interested in fixing problems on their devices for maybe 6 months and then basically they abandon them and work on something new.

[javyn]

Yeah, I noticed from the get-go on the first gen that unpowered enclosures were a no-no. Both my externals use external power.

I'm reading that the Boxee doesn't do very well at all with playing files on external drives.

So I'm probably going to give the WD TV Live 2011 another try, or go for the AIOS Media Center. Can't decide which though, or if there is something comparable out there that I don't know about.

[oldfart13]

Problem with many of the Chinese boxes is that they are meant for the Chinese market so if you want to use something like Netflix, they can't (directly) as they don't have the copy protection chips in them. Best to go to IBOUM and have a look to see what boxes will do what you want to do. Then, report back here...

[javyn]

Are you implying that the AIOS is a Chinese market? Thanks checking IBOUM

[jagabo]

I was curious about the AIOS too. If you get one please tell us what you thing of it.

[javyn]

Will do. I haven't decided yet, but will probably flip a coin on another WD or AIOS once I get confirmation that I received a refund on this unit.

[jagabo]

Here's a thread about the AIOS at AvsForum:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1362994

[handyguy]

Boxee- you can get that free for your computer. BTW, why not just connect your computer to your TV & be able to play & do everything?

[edDV]

Check out Veronica Belmont's set top player megalist feature spreadsheet.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?authkey=CMWSqM8P&key=0AtGqo68N5yYCdGpZMW9qNldW...MWSqM8P#gid=68