Western Digital TV HD Media Player 1080p - €100 delivered [Expansys]

Basq

The Sparrow wrote: »

Particularly the ability to upload files by FTP.

Exact reason I got it!

The Sparrow wrote: »

I bought the wireless dongle that was recommended earlier in this thread but got completely lost trying to set it up so I'll give it another bash tonight.

Yeah, I was frustrated but the whole fact that my wireless network uses WPA is what threw me off. Only WEP is supported on this particular dongle.

But download my firmware and follow my instructions above.. you should get it working.

It's worth mentioning for some reason the files / firmware will work on my 64MB USB key but it will not work on my 320GB drive. So maybe try a smaller USB key if you can't get it up and running.

Basq

Valentia wrote: »

Does this play x264 files?Sorry if it has been asked already.

It does indeed (but it has no DTS support, so no sound on x264 with DTS audio, unless you connect via HDMI or optical audio to a receiver. Than the receiver will do the DTS sound for you).

Torres09

beanian wrote: »

http://wdtvforum.com/
wealth of information & applications for your WDTV at the above link

Has anybody had any success in getting movie artwork to work with their WDTV?

Im going round in circles trying to get any of them to work from the WDTV Forum's, as most of the apps are in .bin files and my pc cant seem to open them.......

Any tips/help appreciated.......

Voodu Child

Torres09 wrote: »

Has anybody had any success in getting movie artwork to work with their WDTV?

Im going round in circles trying to get any of them to work from the WDTV Forum's, as most of the apps are in .bin files and my pc cant seem to open them.......

Any tips/help appreciated.......

What do you mean by movie artwork? Normal movie thumbnails (that works on any WDTV), or special full-screen artwork (that only works on custom firmwares) ?

Torres09

basquille wrote: »

TViXiE?

Looking to get this to work...as easy as possible, please..

i think it only works with the custom firmware, however my head is wrecked trying................

Do-more

**NOOB ALERT**

I have an LG combo HD-DVD/Blu ray drive and I have discovered that if I upgrade the OS on that PC to Win 7 there seems to be no software available to play the HD-DVD's.

So if I rip my HD-DVD's to a hard drive will the WD TV media player be able to play them? Or is there a cheaper solution to this specific problem?

The Sparrow

basquille wrote: »

Exact reason I got it!


Yeah, I was frustrated but the whole fact that my wireless network uses WPA is what threw me off. Only WEP is supported on this particular dongle.

But download my firmware and follow my instructions above.. you should get it working.

It's worth mentioning for some reason the files / firmware will work on my 64MB USB key but it will not work on my 320GB drive. So maybe try a smaller USB key if you can't get it up and running.

So I seem to be stuck. I downloaded the firmware above and changed the net config file as above. I upgraded the firmware ok and inserted the wireless dongle into one of the usb ports. But No IP address comes up.

So a couple of questions if I may...

Do I need to do anything with the wireless dongle?
when entering the SSID and WEP code do I remove the < >
What is a "long WEP Code"?? Mine is 13 digits long.

Basq

Do-more wrote: »

**NOOB ALERT**

I have an LG combo HD-DVD/Blu ray drive and I have discovered that if I upgrade the OS on that PC to Win 7 there seems to be no software available to play the HD-DVD's.

The latest PowerDVD appears to play them from a quick Google.

The Sparrow wrote: »

So I seem to be stuck. I downloaded the firmware above and changed the net config file as above. I upgraded the firmware ok and inserted the wireless dongle into one of the usb ports. But No IP address comes up.

No IP address came up for me first time round.. but check in System Settings --> About. It might be there now!

Also another way to know if it's communicating is if the two lights on the dongle. One of them ('Act') goes solid and the other ('Link') is flashing - this'll flash when powered on.. so look out for 'Act' to go solid.

The Sparrow wrote: »

Do I need to do anything with the wireless dongle?

Nope!

The Sparrow wrote: »

when entering the SSID and WEP code do I remove the < >

Yes, that was used as a marker. Sure I'll give you my network settings (slightly changed the key)... but network is the same!

iwconfig rausb0 essid 19HF1312 key "5282f32abcb60594049b14b325"

19HF1312 is my network name and the bit in quotes is my network key.. the quotes are meant to be there.

The Sparrow wrote: »

What is a "long WEP Code"?? Mine is 13 digits long.

Depends on your network setup and WEP strength (WEP 64 is probably 13 digits, as WEP 128 as indicated in my key above is 26).

Try replacing my "5282f32abcb60594049b14b325" with your 13 digit key.

If your code doesn't look like that (scrambled looking / or "hexadecimal") and is plain text instead, you'd simply prefix the key above with an 's:', like below:

iwconfig rausb0 essid 19HF1312 key "s:yourkey"

(replace yourkey with your plain text ket obviously)

The Sparrow

Thanks Basq. This may be a lost cause though.

According to my router the WEP key is actually Wep 128 encryption. I added s: to it so it now reads

rausb0 essid BTVOYAGER2110-9C key "s:65cg2352x6wc5"

I've changed some digits in the key:) But it's not connecting. The Link light is flashing every couple of secs on the dongle but the act light is blank.

I'm lost...:o

Basq

No...

If it's hexadecimal (which it is), take out the s:

i.e put it as:

rausb0 essid BTVOYAGER2110-9C key "65cg2352x6wc5"

EDIT: Have you 'iwconfig' before this 'rausb0' in your .net config? Or did it just get clipped off when you pasted the above. it should be:

iwconfig rausb0 essid BTVOYAGER2110-9C key "65cg2352x6wc5"

The Sparrow

The whole text in my net config folder is:

HOST=wdtv
# DHCP=yes
# Static IP Configuration: (only if not DHCP)
DHCP=no
IP=192.168.1.100
GW=192.168.1.254
NM=255.255.255.0
DNS1=192.168.1.254
DNS2=212.216.172.62
sleep 5
ifconfig rausb0 upiwconfig rausb0 essid BTVOYAGER2110-9C key "65cg2359x7wc5"

Do I need to change the DNS or GW or any of that stuff?

I remover the s: but that was just what I originally had and still no joy.

Basq

The Sparrow wrote: »

ifconfig rausb0 upiwconfig rausb0 essid BTVOYAGER2110-9C key "65cg2359x7wc5"

This should be two lines.. as below:

The Sparrow wrote: »

ifconfig rausb0 up
iwconfig rausb0 essid BTVOYAGER2110-9C key "65cg2359x7wc5"

Basq

One or two other suggestions if the above doesn't work:

Your settings in the net.config are identical to mine.. is that a coincidence or did you not bother changing them? You need to ensure 192.168.1.254 is your router address? Or you can try using DHCP by changing the net.config to below:

HOST=wdtv
DHCP=yes
# Static IP Configuration: (only if not DHCP)
# DHCP=no
# IP=192.168.1.100
# GW=192.168.1.254
# NM=255.255.255.0
# DNS1=192.168.1.254
# DNS2=212.216.172.62
sleep 5
ifconfig rausb0 up
iwconfig rausb0 essid BTVOYAGER2110-9C key "65cg2359x7wc5"

What size USB key / drive are you trying the firmware with? I had problems getting it to work on a larger hard drive (320GB).. so try a USB key with a capacity of something between 32MB - 1GB.

Do-more

basquille wrote: »

The latest PowerDVD appears to play them from a quick Google.

Thanks but no, PowerDVD Ultra 7.3 (which is what I have, but doesn't work with Win 7) was the last version of PowerDVD to support HD-DVD. Linky

Will the WD play HD-DVD rips?

Basq

Do-more wrote: »

Will the WD play HD-DVD rips?

Yeah, using something like Handbrake to output the disc to something like MKV will do the job.

See here!

looperman1000

i completely agree with you, torres. i can't seem to get the full screen movie artwork, cast abd director, ratings, and poster of the film to work on my WD player either, and i gave up trying. if anyone had an idiot proof guide, it'd be great. All i have managed is to get one or 2 generated, and then they can only be viewed by going to the photos option on your wd player and navigating to wear the pictures are stored. Which firmware do you use to get TV Pixie to work, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

jamesd

Ive TVPixie showing posters for each movie with the latest Beta firmware and also with the last officla firmware, you have to go into options and set the view items are viewed to folders instead of list.
The posters dont show up until a scan of the folders is done, each movie needs to be in its own folder with the proper name on the folder as it pulls the name from the folder when tv pixie is searching for posters.

looperman1000

Thanks a million, James. Will try that tonight.
So at the moment i have the latest firmware, do i just need to upgrade now to the latest beta firmware?

jamesd wrote: »

Ive TVPixie showing posters for each movie with the latest Beta firmware and also with the last officla firmware, you have to go into options and set the view items are viewed to folders instead of list.
The posters dont show up until a scan of the folders is done, each movie needs to be in its own folder with the proper name on the folder as it pulls the name from the folder when tv pixie is searching for posters.

Basq

Any luck with getting wireless working banchang and The Sparrow?

looperman1000

James, how you doing. I have the .11 beta firmware, i have the test of Bruno complete with movie artwork, review and rating etc. When i plug in my drive, the only way i can see the artwork is by viewing the folder by photos, is there a better or easier way to bring up the artwork?

Cheers

banchang

basquille wrote: »

Any luck with getting wireless working banchang and The Sparrow?

Thanks for the followup basq

Haver been busy all week but its now one of my weekend projects.

Will let you know !

PowerHouseDan

Does the WDTV 2 decode dts? I was lookin on komplett and looks like it said it does but want to double check... As more of my movies are in x264 dts which is hooked up via Logi z-5500 but want to use in my bedroom the WDTV and no way am i buyin another z-5500

The Sparrow

basquille wrote: »

Any luck with getting wireless working banchang and The Sparrow?

None whatsoever. I'm about to give up. I had the act light on the dongle flashing the other day but it never went solid and I've tried a couple of times since then and no look.

The smallest memory stick I have is 2gb so I am using that. It seems to updating the firmware just fine but do you think that could be the problem.

I'm not very technically savvy so there is probably something reallly simple that I am just missing.

Torres09

looperman1000 wrote: »

James, how you doing. I have the .11 beta firmware, i have the test of Bruno complete with movie artwork, review and rating etc. When i plug in my drive, the only way i can see the artwork is by viewing the folder by photos, is there a better or easier way to bring up the artwork?

Cheers

looperman1000, we seem to be getting somewhere, im in the same boat as you now, i got all the artwork/info.... except it's in the Photo Folder and not Video Folder -aaaarrrrrrrggggghhhh

confuzed

I know ! I know!! media player tempting.
It plays this and it plays that; what about buying a cheap basic netbook or may be notebook and leave it there besides you TV.
You can buy cheap one at €200 quids.
Future proof; update any codec.
Unlimited memory. Just keep adding external drive.
Wireless/ networking whatever you say.

I mean I don't see any point in these special media thingis when you can simply buy a multipurpose machine and just leave it there for ever.

Basq

Good luck finding a netbook for €200 that outputs 1080p video over HDMI, not to mention 5 channel optical out.

jamesd

looperman1000 wrote: »

James, how you doing. I have the .11 beta firmware, i have the test of Bruno complete with movie artwork, review and rating etc. When i plug in my drive, the only way i can see the artwork is by viewing the folder by photos, is there a better or easier way to bring up the artwork?

Cheers

Go into settings and then into video settings and in there set the browser display to thumbnail mode and then the posters will show up for you.

looperman1000

Thanks James. Ill try that. So when you set the browser mode to thumbnails, the poster shows up when you go into the folder? Or just when you select a folder? Rather than asking i should perhaps test it, i did think i did this already though.

jamesd wrote: »

Go into settings and then into video settings and in there set the browser display to thumbnail mode and then the posters will show up for you.

jamesd

looperman1000 wrote: »

Thanks James. Ill try that. So when you set the browser mode to thumbnails, the poster shows up when you go into the folder? Or just when you select a folder? Rather than asking i should perhaps test it, i did think i did this already though.

Yes all the posters will show up ,not just when you move over them, I get around 12 movies on the screen at a time and just scroll through them.

looperman1000

James when you say the poster shows up, these are the posters that were generated by Tvixie, yes? With film ratings, and cast on it,and description of the film?

jamesd wrote: »

Yes all the posters will show up ,not just when you move over them, I get around 12 movies on the screen at a time and just scroll through them.

jamesd

looperman1000 wrote: »

James when you say the poster shows up, these are the posters that were generated by Tvixie, yes? With film ratings, and cast on it,and description of the film?

Yes Posters created by Tvixie, I dont get to see the ratings,cast or description at all but i came across a site that allows you to see this with some editing - I ll have a look for the link and post it here.

jamesd

jamesd wrote: »

Yes Posters created by Tvixie, I dont get to see the ratings,cast or description at all but i came across a site that allows you to see this with some editing - I ll have a look for the link and post it here.

See here on the tvixie forum
http://www.tvixie.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=513

nitromaster

You need to install custom firmware first i believe, then a mod to display the movie sheets.

Custom firmware - WDLXTV -
http://b-rad.cc/wdlxtv
Installed the same way as official firmware upgrades.

LaurentG.app.bin = mod
http://wdtvforum.com/main/index.php?topic=1217.0

Can end up with stuff like http://wdtvforum.com/main/index.php?topic=2134.0 as the result.

Still trying to get this working myself :rolleyes:

johnnyboy4711

hi all!
Networked player i would like a lot and looking at this one
http://www.xtreamer.net/
see what you think.
slan
j

looperman1000

thanks james and nitromaster, will have a good go at getting this working tonight. looking forward to it.

Do-more

johnnyboy4711 wrote: »

hi all!
Networked player i would like a lot and looking at this one
http://www.xtreamer.net/
see what you think.
slan
j

It was mentioned earlier in the thread, not sure what the current situation is....

Iguana Bob

basquille wrote: »

Good luck finding a netbook for €200 that outputs 1080p video over HDMI, not to mention 5 channel optical out.

are you really gonna have 1080p movies on your hard drive. cant play 1080p on a typical movie that is downloaded (700mb). unless you went to the effort of copying a blue ray. or spend all that time downloading a 4 gig movie

better option buy a 360, or a slim, or put the money towards the new phillips range of tvs eg pfl378404 which can play movies straigt from hard drive

blastman

Iguana Bob wrote: »

are you really gonna have 1080p movies on your hard drive. cant play 1080p on a typical movie that is downloaded (700mb). unless you went to the effort of copying a blue ray. or spend all that time downloading a 4 gig movie

better option buy a 360, or a slim, or put the money towards the new phillips range of tvs eg pfl378404 which can play movies straigt from hard drive

Coming up, apples are compared to turnips....

Valentia

Iguana Bob wrote: »

better option buy a 360, or a slim, or put the money towards the new phillips range of tvs eg pfl378404 which can play movies straigt from hard drive

Really? The think only costs 70 quid like. And yes you can download full HD films. And yes it plays them no bother in full 1080p. In full DTS with an optical link to an amp. And the thing is nothing short of abloodymazing for it's size and price.

Your TV alone costs nearly €1000, doesn't have a DVI connection, will not play HD videos from a hard disk and is only 37" which is too small to appreciate HD anyway. Adding a XBox to the equation and €70 looks well worth the punt don't you think?

Biro

Iguana Bob wrote: »

are you really gonna have 1080p movies on your hard drive. cant play 1080p on a typical movie that is downloaded (700mb). unless you went to the effort of copying a blue ray. or spend all that time downloading a 4 gig movie

better option buy a 360, or a slim, or put the money towards the new phillips range of tvs eg pfl378404 which can play movies straigt from hard drive

Why would I change my TV for an inferior one that'll play a more limited range of file types? 360's and PS3's are also limited in what they'll play back. The WD device is excellent, and the Live one can stream from your network as well as from a USB device, also there's the Asus competitor which is also excellent.
If you have gone to the trouble of downloading a 1080p movie from some source, the WD device has a far higher chance of playing it back than a 360 or PS3.

delly

Biro wrote: »

Why would I change my TV for an inferior one that'll play a more limited range of file types? 360's and PS3's are also limited in what they'll play back. The WD device is excellent, and the Live one can stream from your network as well as from a USB device, also there's the Asus competitor which is also excellent.
If you have gone to the trouble of downloading a 1080p movie from some source, the WD device has a far higher chance of playing it back than a 360 or PS3.

Just a follow on from what you have said. I have found a few times lately where I have had to bring the WD player down from the bedroom and connect it up to the main TV in the living room as the PS3 is increasingly saying 'unsupported media file' more and more.

madmoe

I have a PS3 and have given up trying to play back any sort of downloaded movie on it...it sucks BIG time!! Its a pity as its such a powerful machine and so good in other ways!

If only someone could crack it wide open!!

Basq

madmoe wrote: »

I have a PS3 and have given up trying to play back any sort of downloaded movie on it...it sucks BIG time!! Its a pity as its such a powerful machine and so good in other ways!

Nah, can't agree with that.

PS3 is a great little media machine. Certainly is less fussy about what it plays with regards to codecs (especially various audio formats and bitrates) than the 360 I find.

But the WDTV beats them both hands down!

coldfire1x

Sorry for digging out an old thread.

New firmware available now.

Version 1.03
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/WDTV/

yoshytoshy

Does the harmony one remote work with the wdtv ?

Basq

yoshytoshy wrote: »

Does the harmony one remote work with the wdtv ?

I couldn't get it to work with it outta the box unfortunately.

Had to program it a bit (using the 'Learn Command' function) but works as normal now.

yoshytoshy

basquille wrote: »

I couldn't get it to work with it outta the box unfortunately.

Had to program it a bit (using the 'Learn Command' function) but works as normal now.

Cheers basquille

workaccount

What a stupid vid review on this page. http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/1742/western_digital_s_wd_tv_hd_media_player_video_review/index.html

Firstly he's sampling different quality sound files even though they are then processed again when compressing the video.

Secondly he's demonstrating 720p and 1080p again on a compressed low quality video file. f8kin eedgit.

madmoe

Anyone know where in a brick and mortar store the new WD HD TV Live can be bought? Just need one in a hurry.

Cheers,
M

Slunk

Also looking for one of these. They have it on komplett and you can collect for €89. No sign of it on peats website.