Is anyone using this: WD Media Player

[palswim]

All right. I went and bought one for testing (i.e. I plan to return it), but I've already found that it takes a dump if I try to fast forward too far. It just freezes on a frame and then, even if I back out and try to play another video, or even turn the unit off and then on sometime later, it just displays that frame and a "loading" graphic. I have only been able to play videos again after I reset to the factory defaults.

 

[Homerboy]

All right. I went and bought one for testing (i.e. I plan to return it), but I've already found that it takes a dump if I try to fast forward too far. It just freezes on a frame and then, even if I back out and try to play another video, or even turn the unit off and then on sometime later, it just displays that frame and a "loading" graphic. I have only been able to play videos again after I reset to the factory defaults.

classy!

 

[Aharami]

at least he's being honest
i should've dropped hints that I want this for my xmas gift. Now I will probably be getting more clothes :\

 

[RKS]

I still have problems with dropped network connections. I may look into a Zino soon.

 

[Rio Rebel]

I just got the O!play today. I really like it - hooked it up with a spare N router in bridge mode, and it is playing everything I throw at it.

It has played every .iso file I have just like it's the dvd itself. This is a big plus for me - the most convenient way to store your movies is .iso.

 

[sygyzy]

I want to get this as a gift for non-technie people except the irony is that if they are not technical enough to know how to play downloaded movies, then they would also not be downloading those files to begin with. So now I give them this device and have to provide the content. A little overwhelming.

 

[0roo0roo]

think it was an avs forum thread, theres a huge one out there where people suss out exactly the encode setting limitations of h264 encodes for it.

 

[oogabooga]

Wait, the PS3 would replace the WDTV Live (DLNA clients). You can still use PS3 Media Server for either - it's just the DLNA server software.

That's what I meant, I think. I meant that I was going to get a WDTV/WDTV live, but actually ended up getting a PS3 for a blu-ray player/console, only to find it could serve the function of a WDTV live as well, negating the need for an extra purchase.

My experience with the WDTV was positive (in my original post, I actually mean a file issue, not computer issue) and I was very interested in acquiring one, but with the PS3 I don't have a need for one. I am using the software in conjunction with my PS3, it's neat to know I could have used it for a WDTV live, I didn't realize it was also using DLNA.

 

[Modelworks]

All right. I went and bought one for testing (i.e. I plan to return it), but I've already found that it takes a dump if I try to fast forward too far. It just freezes on a frame and then, even if I back out and try to play another video, or even turn the unit off and then on sometime later, it just displays that frame and a "loading" graphic. I have only been able to play videos again after I reset to the factory defaults.

That is very unusual. It is either a problem with the source file format not being spec compliant or the drive/network that is connected .

 

[Wheezer]

anyone know if thing has enough juice to power a 2.5" usb drive that does not have an external power source?

Thinking about getting one primarily to use for this but before I drop the cash I want to be sure....thanks.

 

[palswim]

Download the firmware from http://b-rad.cc . Format a usb drive as FAT. Copy the firmware files to the drive. Turn on the box and it will ask if you want to update, select yes and wait for it to finish, takes about 10 minutes. After that you can telnet, ssh, ftp into the box and set it up how you like. You can change the OSD, run a web server, or whatever else.

Quick warning if you do the custom firmware. Make sure to download the WDLXTV-LIVE Firmware and not the WDLXTV Firmware. It took me a while to realize I was trying to install the wrong firmware.

 

[Kaido]

I just got the O!play today. I really like it - hooked it up with a spare N router in bridge mode, and it is playing everything I throw at it.

It has played every .iso file I have just like it's the dvd itself. This is a big plus for me - the most convenient way to store your movies is .iso.

I just hooked up our Asus O!Play a few minutes ago, works great! Handles 1080p MKV files over my Gigabit Network like a champ! Make sure you get the latest 1.17 firmware - they added BD ISO support plus TimeJump (right/left keys to skip 5/10/15/20/30 minutes into the video), which is SUPER useful for files like MKV that don't have chapter markers. Also it works perfectly on my 4:3 non-HD tube TV in my bedroom...I just selected NTSC 4:3 Pan & Scan. Here's a link to the firmware: (1.17N for NTSC - US, 1.17P for PAL - Europe)

http://support.asus.com/download/do...odel=O%21Play HDP-R1&SLanguage=en-us&os=5

Here's the Firmware Update procedure: (leave Linux as the default OS, the Asus uses Linux)

1. Format a USB drive (I used FAT32)
2. Copy install.img to the USB drive
3. Plug the USB drive into the O!Play
4. Press the setup button on the Remote
5. Select "System"
6. Click on System Upgrade, then OK
7. Wait about 5 minutes for it to update (the LED is red while updating, blue when done), it will reboot when it's done

I will definitely be buying more of these! Amazon is back up to $93, but BHPhotoVideo (legit site) has them for $87 shipped still:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ia_Player.html

 

[palswim]

All right. I went and bought one for testing (i.e. I plan to return it), but I've already found that it takes a dump if I try to fast forward too far. It just freezes on a frame and then, even if I back out and try to play another video, or even turn the unit off and then on sometime later, it just displays that frame and a "loading" graphic. I have only been able to play videos again after I reset to the factory defaults.

That is very unusual. It is either a problem with the source file format not being spec compliant or the drive/network that is connected .

Yeah, after doing more testing and research, it looks like my problem lies with my ps3mediaserver DLNA server. But, it looks like both sides are working on a fix together, which is very nice!

 

[Kaido]

I just got the O!play today. I really like it - hooked it up with a spare N router in bridge mode, and it is playing everything I throw at it.

It has played every .iso file I have just like it's the dvd itself. This is a big plus for me - the most convenient way to store your movies is .iso.

How is your volume level? Mine is pretty quiet on analog. Here are my complaints so far:

1. Has choked on one file so far (a 1080p MKV file, variable bitrate, around 12,000 or 13,000 kbps I think) - gets green blotches and pixelation
2. Shows hidden files
3. Shortcut system stinks (still have to dig on my server)
4. If you hit the Home button on the remote (conveniently placed next to the Volume Up button), you're out of the movie and can't get back in without going through the entire directory again
5. Analog volume (RCA) is very very low, even at max volume. I have to turn my TV up so loud it has a hiss, in order to hear it clearly
6. The network speed test pops up randomly when I'm browsing a network share (green HUD text)
7. No GUI resizing or "fitting" option (overscan on my TV cuts off a bit of the menu system)

Positives:

1. Plays pretty much everything I throw at it (unlike the WD TV I had previously)
2. Small
3. Quiet
4. Cheap
5. Decent GUI (much better than the Popcorn Hour I had previously_
6. Dirt-simple setup
7. Nice controls (fast-forward up to 32x, multiple TimeJump options for big skips, fast zooming)
8. Hasn't slowed down on my Gigabit network, starts even big movies fast
9. Works on a 4:3 TV (my bedroom TV is an old tube), quality is excellent
10. Easy enough for my family to use without tech support

For $87, it's a fabulous device. It looks like they're actively releasing firmware updates and are reading and responding to their user forum, which bodes well for the future. I'm happy with mine, despite the quirks :thumbsup:

 

[lopri]

I just got the O!play today. I really like it - hooked it up with a spare N router in bridge mode, and it is playing everything I throw at it.

It has played every .iso file I have just like it's the dvd itself. This is a big plus for me - the most convenient way to store your movies is .iso.

I agree. Blu-Ray is kinda different, though, and I wonder if these devices will handl Blu-Ray ISOs (DRM-stripped)? And how about .m2ts files? Are they supported?

 

[Kaido]

I agree. Blu-Ray is kinda different, though, and I wonder if these devices will handl Blu-Ray ISOs (DRM-stripped)? And how about .m2ts files? Are they supported?

M2TS files are supported, haven't tried any BD ISOs yet.

 

[tw1164]

I just got the WDTV live for Xmas. One thing that bothers me is the GUI setup; there is way too much wasted space. The GUI was designed for a SDTV, which seems to go against the 1080p selling point. The thumbnail view makes all the movie posters looked washed out. They look like shit.

 

[zuffy]

Convenient timing of this thread, I've just started to look at one of these bad boys.

An Opinion on the Brite-View BV-5005HD? The integrated BT client seems convenient.
http://www.amazon.com/Brite-View-BV-.../ref=pd_cp_e_3

I bought the Brite-View unit. The unit did not like one of my HDMI port in my Sharp Aquos. The video would blackout/pause every 15-20 seconds when the resolution is set to 1080p. Tech support confirmed that they have some issues with Sharp Aquos. Swapping HDMI port resolved the problem though. I can't rewind at all playing mkv files. All it does is pause at the state when you hit the rewind button - not even 1 frame of movement. Also, can't connect to a share in Windows 7 64-bit. This is a known issue when I bought the unit and I thought they would have a firmware for it but not yet.

I have the WD Live ordered. Will give it a try this week.

 

[de8212]

I got my WD Live setup night before last. I streamed one movie in HD (.mkv) and it was very nice. Came in today to show somebody and it says there is no media in the folder :\

Not sure what the deal is.

 

[de8212]

Got my issue resolved (knock on wood). Is anyone running their WD off of a NAS? I would really like the flexibility of copying files over my network to something that is attached to the WD Live. Streaming so far has been fine. I just want something separate so that if my main PC is not on, for example, I can still watch movies.