Question about WD Live TV

blackangst1

Lifer
Feb 23, 2005
22,902
2,359
126
The thread about the new WD Live hack prompted a few questions for me. Ive been considering this box for a few months now, but I come back to the same questions. My goal is to be able to play various media formats from my PC to my 55" LCD, and I understand this box will do that for me; however, is there a reason I couldnt do it by simply connecting my PC directly to the TV? Just run AVI to HDMI from my vid card to the TV, then audio from my mobo to my receiver? Is there a reason that wouldnt work, or why the WD Live TV box would be better?
 
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
103
106
The thread about the new WD Live hack prompted a few questions for me. Ive been considering this box for a few months now, but I come back to the same questions. My goal is to be able to play various media formats from my PC to my 55" LCD, and I understand this box will do that for me; however, is there a reason I couldnt do it by simply connecting my PC directly to the TV? Just run AVI to HDMI from my vid card to the TV, then audio from my mobo to my receiver? Is there a reason that wouldnt work, or why the WD Live TV box would be better?

Of course hooking up your computer to your tv would work...

But some situations would be better served with a simple, remote controlled box. For example, my living room tv already has an XBOX 360, a 5.1 surround sound system, a receiver and blu ray player. With all those damn wires already there, a full blown computer would be more wires and more hassle than it's worth, so I have an ASUS o-play hooked up for simple, remote driven media playback. It's also very wife and guest friendly vs. "shit, there's no sound.. Update codec time!"

My bedroom HTPC works great as well, and I do prefer HTPC because I can watch web video on them without playon or weird plug ins that sorta kinda work
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
98,099
16,809
126
The wd box is easier to use. you can access network drive or usb drive hooked up to it. Basically if you have computer illiterate people as part of the user group, you might want to go that route.
 

sivart

Golden Member
Oct 20, 2000
1,786
0
0
Agreed, WDTV is easy to use, but doesn't provide the flexibility / power of a full PC. As for more wires, well no, not really PC has 1 Power Cable and one HDMI cable to my receiver. Programmed Harmony remote takes care of the rest. (Although I wouldn't mind a Dinovo Mini to use for the few times I need a keyboard).

I've had no codec issues on my HTPC (test that all during setup) and with Windows 7 Media Center a nice UI.

The WDTV is a great plug and go tool.