Western Digital WDTV new version

[jagabo]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[jman98]

@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]

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]

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.

Maybe, if that was the only thing that they were bitching about (and the analogies aren't quite the same).

They seem to have an irrational hatred of it, bordering on Mac vs. PC.

[KTH]

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


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

[jagabo]

So where does the WD TV mini fit into all this?
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=681

I hadn't seen that before. It appears to be a standard def version of the WDTV.

[lowellriggsiam]

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

[jagabo]

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/

The big change, however, is the addition of an Ethernet port and tweaks to the firmware to allow you to access folders shared on your network.

[rumplestiltskin]

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]

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

[jagabo]

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

Thank god.

[jstewart]

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]

...I'll probably break down and get one. I've been waiting for native ethernet support.

Me too. I almost have the whole house wired with Cat6 (gigabit) but to reach the living room, I need to get down under the house. Maybe next spring. Meanwhile I'm monitoring user feedback.

[stiltman]

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)

[jagabo]

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

[MOVIEGEEK]

Now if the TV Live streamed Netflix it would be perfect.

[stiltman]

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

yeah, just a mini jack


BTW, I started a topic here https://forum.videohelp.com/topic374280.html

[edDV]

Now if the TV Live streamed Netflix it would be perfect.

I'm also looking at tr Roku box for other locations.
http://www.roku.com/technology

[misterbill]

Now if the TV Live streamed Netflix it would be perfect.

WDTV Live supports uPNP and is able to see a Playon media server. From there, one can watch online Netflix movies and Hulu content.

[jagabo]

WDTV Live supports uPNP and is able to see a Playon media server. From there, one can watch online Netflix movies and Hulu content.

Could you elaborate on this a bit? Can you navigate and select Netflix movies from the WDTV interface or do you have to navigate on the computer, select a movie, then simply watch via the WDTV?

[rumplestiltskin]

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

[budwzr]

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

[MJA]

I wonder if you can access redtube.com

[lowellriggsiam]

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]

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

[MJA]

Now if the TV Live streamed Netflix it would be perfect.

I'm also looking at tr Roku box for other locations.
http://www.roku.com/technology

but what else can you watch beside Netflix on the Roku?