Western Digital WD TV HD Media Player
by Western Digital
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Our Price: $312.75 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $59.00 (click here) Category: Home Theater See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Western Digital WD TV HD Media Player
Customer Review: H.264, MKV, 1080p fan
Summary: 5 Stars
I love this product. Gone are the nights where I was the only person in the house capable of plugging the laptop to the HD TV with a 12ft miniDV<->HDMI cable and launching VLC -- dangling cords everywhere, draining batteries, and an inquisitive toddler.
What sub $100, 1.5"x5" device can you get that sips electricity, is whisper quiet, boots instantaneously, auto-indexes 500GB of media files on FAT32, NTFS, HFS+ in < 2 minutes, and plays almost every file format including H.264, MKV, WMV9, FLAC, OGG, and DTS? None.
Ages ago I used to rip divx and xvid movies onto a DVD and play them on a Philips DVD player. But now with huge HD file formats and oodles of cheap available external SATA USB storage I no longer have the patience to rip countless DVDs or encode movies such that I can play it on a BluRay player.
There are other options I considered: configuring a MythTV box (no time), hacking an AppleTV with VLC, XBMC or Boxee (AppleTV chokes on 1080p), Popcorn Hour (shoddy reviews), etc. This is by far the easiest for my family and I to use.
The system uses a Sigma SMP8635LF chipset. Sigma Designs is an American company based in California that makes system-on-a-chip (single integrated circuit) semiconductors for a vast array of media systems including 50% of all BluRay players on the market. This chip is responsible for decoding all the audio video codecs the Media Player supports. The chip handles 1080p fine with limitation (mentioned below).
The unit is not perfect but I still give it 5 stars because of the price and out-of-box simplicity:
Some issues (and some fixes):
- Doesn't stream content from the net (without effort). There are other cheap devices for this -- a Roku, for example. If you run out of HDMI ports get an HDMI switch.
- Initially had a problem with MKV with DTS audio not producing sound. The issue is that the unit can only decode in 2 channels and DTS has 5+ channels (depending on the variant). To-date the Media Player can't down-mix 5-channel to stereo. Resolution for me was output the DTS over the supplied optical port to my receiver (composite red-white cables won't work) and let the receiver handle the decoding. If this option is not available one could convert DTS to AC3 (a quick Google will yield easy recipes for both Mac, Windows, Linux users).
- Frames-per-second (fps). WD is clear about what the device can handle. These are the limitations for MPEG2/4, H.264, and WMV9:
1920x1080p at 24fps
1920x1080i at 30fps
1280x720p at 60fps
If you breach that then movies will pixelate and skip frames. Solution for me is to re-encode the movie using Handbrake at the max fps supported by the unit. For example, if I had a 1080p movie at 29.97 fps I would just reencode it at 24fps. Problem disappears.
- Thumbnail images. "Thumbnail mode" is more attractive and polished looking than "list mode" which simply lists the movie title. While it's relatively easy to embed images in, say, mp4 or avi, it is not possible with mkv. As such all my mkv movies initially had a lame default thumbnail assigned to them. Luckily the latest firmware addresses this. Place a jpeg image in the same directory and with the same name as the mkv file and the Media Player will display the thumbnail. I grab DVD cover art right from our friend Amazon. Works perfectly.
For example:
Defiance - 1080p.mkv
Defiance - 1080p.jpg
Other miscellaneous things I can think of:
- Works great with my Logitech Harmony remote.
- Handles (2) WD Passport drives with power over USB just fine.
- Plays BluRay streams perfectly - just copy the .m2ts file over to your usb drive and enjoy!
- To-date, chapter support is only available with MKV files. Adding chapters to a file can be accomplished using a tool such as MKVMerge. Otherwise, aside from fast-forwarding rates at 2/4/8/16x, it is possible to skip forward (not reverse) in 10-minute increments by first selecting fast-forward (>>) then skip (>>|).
- The unit has problems indexing HFS+ with journaling enabled (I have a Mac). It will still play the media but it's easy enough to turn off journaling. With the USB drive plugged into the Mac type:
$ sudo /usr/sbin/diskutil disableJournal /Volumes/Your_Drive
Customer Review: Can't beat it for the price!
Summary: 5 Stars
I researched this item quite a bit before pulling the trigger. I read many, many reviews, factored in cost, considered the "good" as well as the "bad" - along with other media players - and found this to be the best of what's available. After using it for a couple of weeks now there is nothing that has changed my opinion. I had been using my notebook to view my videos and listen to my music. The WDTV makes this a much more pleasant, and controllable experience. I use it with a WD 500GB Passport connected to a 46" Sony Bravia LCD HDTV via HDMI which is then connected to my Panasonic 1000w Surround Sound system using the standard dual RCA audio out jacks.
Granted, nothing is ever really "perfect", and the WDTV has a few shortcomings as have been noted in previous reviews. The menu structure could use some work, but is wholly functional as it is. Certainly something that could be remedied through a firmware update should WD choose to do so. The lack of external controls on the case means you need to take care of that remote! The remote is simple and comfortable to use, but I finally programmed its functions into my learning remote and put the WD remote away for safe keeping.
The picture and sound it creates are quite good. I have not viewed any hi-def material yet, but judging from the quality of standard def I doubt there would be any disappointments in that regard. I have a lot of my video (movies, etc.) ripped to 320x240 (saves space) for my Ipod Touch 2G (mp4 format), and the picture quality from the WDTV is what I would expect from that format - entirely suitable. Some material that is in a higher pixel format is understandably better. I was pleased enough with it to give my opinions through this review.
One interesting thing I found is that although it will not play protected m4v movies purchased through itunes, it will play non-protected m4v's - I watched some podcasts I downloaded - I was pleasantly surprised to find that it would play the music albums downloaded from itunes, in protected m4a format I assume. It's really great to have my music library available at my fingertips this way!
Although it supports a number of different video formats, I have found some files that it cannot play even though they are in the proper formats; AVI WMV MPG, etc. This is simply due to the variations in encoding formats. If you're into digital video you should already be familar with transcoding formats, so that is just more of the same. Not everything you get off the Internet, or even have previously created yourself, is going to be ready to "Plug and Play" in this device, or any other. Not a real issue. There is software supplied for this purpose, although I have not had to use it yet. Out of about 1200 or so videos it will take a bit of time to find them all!
Overall, it does what it's supposed to, and does it well enough to make my cable box start to feel a little lonely!
UPDATE: The Hi-Def video clips that come on the supplied disc look phenomenal! The same difference I noticed when first watching hi-def channels on my cable box.
I had begun ripping my movies in AppleTv format (640x480 mp4) and the clarity was much improved. I then began ripping to AVI in 640x480 and found the same high quality. The switch to AVI was because I noticed that the few AVI's that I had did not "skip" after fast forwarding or rewind as most of my mp4's do. VOB's also don't skip. Playing VOB's does give a true DVD picture, but the files are much larger - 4 GB's or so. I find a 1 GB mp4 or AVI gives a very acceptable picture in a minimum of space.
The Arcsoft conversion software that comes with the unit is a bit tedious as it converts in real-time, recording the video as it plays it into the new format. A bit too slow for me. I don't find that a negative since they do GIVE you conversion software!
Nothing has changed my opinion of this little wonder. It will even play recordings made in Windows Media Center, which I use when I can to record movies and TV shows since I can't get them out of my cable box DVR without recording them to a DVD then ripping them. Being able to just copy over the Media Center recordings to my Passport and play them on the WDTV is a gift in itself!
Customer Review: Close to a perfect Media Center
Summary: 5 Stars
UPDATE: After many tries on encoding MKV file, I found out why some MKV file downloaded did not works. This box only play with H.264 video codec and AC3/MP3 audio codec. H.264 lossless doesn't seem to work right, but regular normal H.264 works just fine. Hope this would help others out there. Instruction on how to make MKV file on www.videohelp.com shows to use a different kind of codec and it does not work with this WD box. If use Fairuse 2.9, make sure to choose the x264 codec output to work on this WD box.
I like to follow-up with you on several things here since I own both of these just like you, the IOMEGA screenplay (not the PRO version, they just came out with new one) and the WD TV HD.
(1) Yes, WD only relies on remote, but its remote is durable, not like the Screenplay. But both problem can be solve by having it set up with a Universal remote control (I'm sure everyone using these type of products must have own one already, we don't like tons of remotes that why we bought the All-in-one solution stuffs)
(2) I don't know what kind of "ISO" files you have, but mine plays just fine. I haven't had any freeze up during forwarding yet (at 16x). As for when they freeze, no matter whether it's remote or hard button on the box, you still have to unplug both (Screenplay/WD) to reset.
(3) Yes, there's shortcoming of what called "SKIPPING" on the WD (I too would love to have it on the next firmware update). But it cans forward/backward up to 16x so not bad. Plus, when you hit the "BACK" button or "Menu" button during the play then go back to it later, WD does ask you to continue where you left off or start from beginning. Didn't yours do that? Mine WD firmware is version 1.0.0.1.
(4) Yes you are right, playing with VOB or ISO files should be able to have chapter view or skip to the next chapter (Should be include in the next firmware update please WD). Again, here we have to use the forward/backward. Home/Back buttons also help as WD has a resume of last played location. I have a 1TB Maxtor OneTouch hooked to this and it works just fine. I was just amazed by how fast the first time it was to scan for the contents. I have around 200GB of movies in Divx, Xvid, MKV, ISO, RM, MP4... you name it, and it works beautifully (Screenplay does not play these (divx6, xvid, mkv, iso...)). I also have around 120GB of images taken by Canon digitals cameras and it displays it awesome too (maybe a little overexposed). My music collection around 180GB, mostly mp3 format, and it works fine too. Try to use the "LIST VIEW" instead of "THUMB" view should boots up the browsing speed 5x faster. I think if you name your file right, list view shouldn't be any less details as thumb view.
As nothing is perfect, I do like this WB a lot. MKV file play so clear (Bee Movie 2.1GB.mkv file) 9 out 10 of the Bluray quality, unbelievable. Also on the pricing point of view, this is the best money can buy right now. Screenplay almost the same price but much less features (file type compatible). Plus, WB has 2 USB host so you can plug in virtually anything USB for it to display on your TV, that's sweet option.
Iomega just came out with a Screenplay Pro which match up features with WD TV HD, plus networking and recordable feature. Maybe someone had that one and give us a details feedback of how its functions. As for now and for the price, WD TV HD is the best of all.
Customer Review: I love this device
Summary: 5 Stars
I have used my first one (still do) for well over a year now and have had no issues with it. It was easy to set up, once you learned to be patient to let the hard drive load (especially when using a large one like a 2T ^_^), it retrieves information really fast. I loved this so much that I bought one for our living room (I converted all our purchased dvd's to digital - so no more ruined or lost dvds thanks to little hands). To me this was a wise investment to saving my dvd's which don't last long when you have kids who don't put them away after use. Now I'm looking forward to getting a third one for my disabled son's room so his care givers stop messing with my dvd's as well and my kiddo can still enjoy movies.
This device lasts WAY longer than any dvd player we have ever purchased too. In my opinion, this is the only way to go to enjoy movies. Everything is easy to find, all the files are set up on the WD hard drive the way that suits you best. All pictures are stored where you can easily retrieve them to show family w/o booting up the computer or printing. In fact, we even used this a few times to do videos we made of pictures for weddings and memorials. My only hope is that they could rework this device to forgo the external hard drive and have an SD card insert to cut down on all the wires that hang everywhere, seeing as how you have to have the device plugged into an outlet and the tv and the hard drive/s (you can use the two hard drive ports on it or have several connected if you buy these gagets that allow you to connect something like four hard drives to each port.
Just remember the more storage you hook up to this machine, the longer it takes to load when innitially turning it on (Once the HD's are loaded, then the wait time is very limited - like seconds).
Keep in mind that you absolutely must either eject the hard drive from the machine or turn off all power to the machine before disconnecting a hardrive/s - I personally have it on an outlet switch (along with the hard drives) and turn everything off before removing a hard drive. If you fail to do this it will most likely not want to reconnect to that hard drive again for some reason (this is from experience). I have used Seagate hard drives with this but found that sticking with WD's MY Book Essential (1-2T) HD's is best - they just work better together. I get the larger ones because we have a huge dvd collection and we also make commercials and stuff for clients and it makes it so they can view their commercial on tv - digitally. There is just so many things you can do. The newer ones also let you stream Netflix and other online media as well... there simply is no other device I have found to match what this little baby can do.
Other than that, I have been super pleased with the product and recommend it. Already friends of mine are investing in it too to protect their own dvd collections and stream online videos - after all, who wants to waste all that money buying the movies over and over again? Certainly not me and I also don't want to have to deal with missing, scratched or skipping videos either. Give me digital any time, especially with all my choices in one place. I just wish you could buy the movies in digital and skip buying the dvd's all together. Wouldn't that be nice. - if you can do it with music, why not movies?
Customer Review: A Phenomenal Device - So Small Yet Capable to Play 1080P
Summary: 5 Stars
So, it is true. Blu-ray is dead! So small yet capable to play 1080P.
OK, that maybe a little too soon and a little too harsh. But devices like these are like asteroids about to push the dinosaurs toward extinction. Blu-ray might be shaking now. Just recently, it was still celebrating its costly victory from HD-DVD as the winner between the two hi-def formats. HD-DVD might be saying now, ha-ha, you too...and join the party.
I like gadgets, I always have something that I call my new toy. But this is similar to the feeling the time I got my first computer, or the first time I got an iPod. A deja vu, once again I am very excited. With how much the prices of USB external hard drives has fallen, you can now buy a terabyte for a hundred bucks. It is so tiny, it can fit on the palm of your hand. This thing can take 2 external drives at the same time. It can play music, it can play slideshow of family photos, ...but where it really excel is playing movies. Powerful enough to play 1080P high definition movies which even my HD TV can only play 1080i the most. I love this thing so much that I am ready to marry it. You can even stick a keychain pen drive, or an SD card, or any memory with a supplied adapter, and it will play as well. Plays almost anything you throw on it: MPEG 1/2/4, WMV9, AVI, Xvid, AVC, H.264, MKV, ISO, etc. So quiet, you don't hear it at all. We also bring it with us on long trips to watch movies in the car.
It is a very powerful but a very simple device. At the back, it has an HDMI connection where you get your Hi-def, a USB, an optical for digital audio, the familiar red, white and yellow cable connection for older TVs, and another USB on the side.
YouTube now has tons of Hi Def movie trailers that is gorgeous to watch on a big LCD screen. All you need to do is install Greasemonkey on your Firefox browser and look for scripts to download videos on YouTube. They also have lots of HD documentary materials. You can also back-up movies you own and manage all of them in one central location. Even it is not hi-def, it upconverts lower res content to a much better resolution. I also have a separate folder for all the home videos that I want to preserve forever. I used to burn them to DVDs but now some of them skips or ends up coasters as the kids scratches them or the dye on the discs don't last very long.
Western Digital also releases better firmware from time tor time to enhance its capability aside from fixing the early bugs.
The box does not provide you an HDMI cable or an Optical cable. It comes with a tiny remote, and the red, white and yellow cable. The remote on the other hand is the only way to control it so make sure not to lose it; which I am sure won't happen anyway (... and I repeat, which I am sure won't happen anyway) . If the dog on the other hand decided to treat it as a fetch toy, the remote is available on their website for 14$.
There is a community forum for users at WDTVForum.com.
Now, the rumor is that WD will release a new model that will be equipped with an ethernet which will make it capable of live streaming.
Happy viewing!