WDTV Live Streaming box = Holy Grail (LAN Playback + Web Services)

[LyNX31]

Hey man,

I got the shares to work but it wasn't intuitive if you ask me. I followed instructions to a T and still had to modify some things. Can you tell me if you followed the instructions from WD so far regarding the network shares? I think I should be able to help you out. I had to edit some stuff in my security tab if I recall.

I have the WDTVLIVE and was happy with it. Ran great until i upgraded my computers and now run into problems. WDlive saw my network shares just fine on my old XP machine. Now running Win7-64bit and am struggling to get it to work.

I managed to somehow get it to see the shared folders but it takes a few tries. Keeps wanting to look on the C: drive that i guess windows 7 defaults to for media centre stuff.

If i back out of the shares menu a couple of times my movie folders show up. But every time says there is no media in said folders.

I have resigned to just give up on networking this (again that was working with XP) and just copy things to the WD Elements ext drive. Just a pain because i have to physically move the drive to my computer. copy files and then move it back. Ok for things i may want to keep but the network part was great for things to watch once then delete.

In the windows 7 network section all devices are there. 2 win 7 machines and the WDLive. I noticed that if i go thru the media servers on the WD it still shows folders on my C:> drive (i have those folders unshared and it still looks there) if i go into a folder it brings up all my videos.

I have searched and gone over all the network settings people have come up with to get it to work. Royal pain in the ass if you ask me. It should just work. Some suggested even going in and altering the registry.

Anyone running a Window 7-64bit on the WdLive get it to see network shares?

Am considering just dumping this whole thing and get a Boxee Box.

 

[jchappell]

I'm still trying to decide between the ATV2/XBMC and the WDliveStreaming. Am I correct in saying that ATV2 gives me AirPlay, but even with XBMC, it's not a DLNA renderer? I was hoping to use my iPad to browse content, then send it to the TV via DLNA, but my understanding is that AirPlay requires the iPad to keep streaming the media so I couldn't use the iPad for anything else while watching.
Thanks.

 

[thelastjuju]

I've tried XMBC, MythTV, MediaPortal, WMC, SageTV, Apple TV (although, not comprehensively), Plex, and finally, the WDTV Live Plus. Finally I don't have to worry about compatibility, freezing, updates, things not working properly, etc. Things just work. No, its not as pretty. The menus are archaic, and although I can make it prettier it's not worth the work. I've given up the gorgeous interfaces of XMBC, WMC, MediaPortal, etc. for the simplicity that the WDTV provides.

It is definitely worth it - and my non-techie roommates who can use the system on their own can definitely agree.

I just have to ask.. if you don't mind the archaic menus and lack of fancy interface.. why wouldn't you just do what I do? And just launch everything through good ol' windows explorer with VLC as the default media player? You won't get a single compatibility issue or bug using this method.

I used to use XBMC, but after realizing how little the interface matters to me, and that the content is all that really matters.. I've resorted to simply launching everything the old fashion way. :whiste:

 

[Kaido]

I'm still trying to decide between the ATV2/XBMC and the WDliveStreaming. Am I correct in saying that ATV2 gives me AirPlay, but even with XBMC, it's not a DLNA renderer? I was hoping to use my iPad to browse content, then send it to the TV via DLNA, but my understanding is that AirPlay requires the iPad to keep streaming the media so I couldn't use the iPad for anything else while watching.
Thanks.

XBMC v11 (Eden) now has Airplay support:

http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=AirPlay

 

[Kaido]

I just have to ask.. if you don't mind the archaic menus and lack of fancy interface.. why wouldn't you just do what I do? And just launch everything through good ol' windows explorer with VLC as the default media player? You won't get a single compatibility issue or bug using this method.

I used to use XBMC, but after realizing how little the interface matters to me, and that the content is all that really matters.. I've resorted to simply launching everything the old fashion way. :whiste:

That's exactly what the WDTV was designed for - really basic GUI, but no PC overhead to deal with. For the SAF, the WDTV can't be beat in my house...one remote, really basic interface, and that's it.

But having a PC definitely gives you the most power & compatibility. My favorite GUI player is still Plex (modified XBMC). And VLC can play pretty much anything in the universe. The nice thing about the WDTV is that it's simply an appliance...a cheap appliance with low power requirements and a remote control (wireless keyboard optional if you want).

I still like to tinker with HTPC stuff, but my wife has locked our WDTV into HDMI 1 and I'm not allowed to touch it anymore :biggrin:

 

[jchappell]

What I was saying is that AirPlay seems to grab control of the iPad so that I can't browse while playing content. Does the ATV/XBMC act as a "DLNA Renderer" so that I can push content to it, and continue to do something else on the iPad while the content plays? (and please don't say "XBMC has DLNA support" because that's not the same as being a DLNA renderer)

 

[Kaido]

What I was saying is that AirPlay seems to grab control of the iPad so that I can't browse while playing content. Does the ATV/XBMC act as a "DLNA Renderer" so that I can push content to it, and continue to do something else on the iPad while the content plays? (and please don't say "XBMC has DLNA support" because that's not the same as being a DLNA renderer)

OK, gotcha. Curious - I have an iPhone...to send Airplay streaming music, I can run that in the background. I select the outputs by double-clicking the home button and sliding to the left menu and then minimize iTunes or MOG. Are you streaming video/photos? Because I don't think you can minimize streaming video in iOS without pausing it in the background automatically (at least, without jailbreaking it).

I haven't seen any info on a full DLNA implementation on XBMC yet, but I haven't been in the XBMC scene for awhile. I did some searching but didn't find any info on a full setup like you're after.

 

[dclive]

http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=58775

 

[Kaido]

FYI - new firmware update resolves Netflix randomly getting de-authorized. This was pretty much the only glitch I had with the unit.

http://support.wdc.com/download/notes/WDTV_Live_Release_Notes_1_08_17.pdf

Also it's $20 off on Newegg: (thanks Hot Deals)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136997

 

[iRoNBiLL]

Navi-X is still there but that will probably get closed and moved offsite as well very soon.

Says "you" my friend!

I'm Bill Daly a.k.a iRoNBiLL with Team Navi-X... we've been around 5+ years and still kicking. We ain't goin' nowhere!

iRoNBiLL

 

[iRoNBiLL]

Nevermind. I posted some crazy shiz here, but it's been retracted cause apparently I'm a nut case. Thanks!

iRoNBiLL