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  • SlyNine - Thursday, October 6, 2011 - link

    How will it organize my library on MY network, and how easy is it for other people to get on and access my files.
  • n0b0dykn0ws - Thursday, October 6, 2011 - link

    "We also don't have much hope of it solving the DTS-HD MA bitstreaming issue."

    I'd pay $100 more for bitstreaming of DTS-HD MA, Dolby Digital TrueHD, and ripped Blu-Ray playback.
  • Golgatha - Thursday, October 6, 2011 - link

    That's called repurposing an old C2D type computer. Just purchased a $179.99 refurbished E3400 Celeron based system because I'm tired of all the limitations these toys impose on my viewing of content served up by Tversity. Pretty much the only media player guaranteed to play all content the way you want it is a HTPC.
  • n0b0dykn0ws - Thursday, October 6, 2011 - link

    I have a HTPC right now.

    I want a streamlined device that does not need maintenance or patches, does not need to be restarted every once in a while, does not experience crashes, etc...

    Windows 7 + Total Media Theatre + Media Browser = everything I need + bugs.

    With the Radeon 6570 I have in my primary HTPC I can stream lossless.

    I also don't want to transcode to FLAC because not all devices/software supports FLAC, and I don't want to keep two copies of a movie on my server.
  • Snotling - Thursday, October 6, 2011 - link

    "I want a streamlined device that does not need maintenance or patches, does not need to be restarted every once in a while, does not experience crashes, etc..."

    yeah, they call it the "utopia box" no consumer electronic product is so simple anymore that it won't need updates or won't "ever" crash. Thats the whole point of updates, to make sure you get the functionality with fewer crashes and fewer security concerns.

    There is this toaster that also cooks bagels... it probably won't need an update.

    I bet you don't ever want to pay for movies and music either since you paid for the HTPC or media thingy... find a good utopian girl and get married to her so you can move in her country.
  • n0b0dykn0ws - Friday, October 7, 2011 - link

    Troll fail. Firmware releases do not equal patches/driver updates.

    I know there will never be a perfect player, I just named what I'm willing to pay for one that does a few things right.

    And why would I not be willing to pay for movies? Ripping does not equal piracy. I have two young children at home who would love to destroy discs if given the opportunity. So I built a file server, ripped my collection of titles, and stored the discs. Any time I buy a new movie or tv show I do the same thing.
  • KWIE - Monday, October 10, 2011 - link

    Actually it will play Blu-Ray ISOs AND seems Dolby TrueHD is not an issue:

    http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1738/3/
  • mckirkus - Thursday, October 6, 2011 - link

    The problem is DRM. Pretty much all of the online video rental services limit you to low def if you're using a PC because they're easier to hack. Amazon VOD to name one.
  • Golgatha - Thursday, October 6, 2011 - link

    Also, I repurposed a Bluray drive from another system, and am using a GT 430 for lossless audio and video playback of Bluray discs. The total price is really more like $250-$260 dollars (got a really good deal on the video card awhile back), and I suppose I've already paid for Arcsoft TMT 5 on the software side of things, but that's a sunk cost for me already as I have another HTPC, desktop, and laptop I use that software on.
  • Sivar - Thursday, October 6, 2011 - link

    Re-encode your ripped Blu-ray audio to FLAC.
    FLAC is a supported format and is superior in terms of file size to ALL lossless audio formats supported on Blu-ray.
    Because only the audio is being transcoded, the process is quick. Because FLAC is lossless, there is literally zero audio quality dropped in the process.
  • SimpJee - Thursday, October 6, 2011 - link

    Popcorn Hour does it. I have the A-110 which I got years ago, and the only thing it doesn't support is 3D blu-rays and FLAC (all the new models handle this)
  • n0b0dykn0ws - Friday, October 7, 2011 - link

    Thanks. I saw the press release for the A-300 this morning (I haven't fully read it yet).

    It might be what I'm looking for.
  • quielo - Thursday, October 6, 2011 - link

    I would really like to see an article reviewing the local file support for the various media players. I have the WD Live, Seagate Freeagent, and Patriot Boxoffice though the SF seems to be broken now.

    They all play a variety of files though the Seagate will play some that the WD does not and vice versa.

    I am looking for a local media player (internal drive or USB/eSata attached) that plays every file ever created. I have no interest in streaming and will probably not network the device if I can avoid it.

    Also I like to be able to delete files from the remote control which only the WD seems to support though not very well. The WD offers a file browser and video browser modes. From the file browser mode it's possible to launch some video files while others that will play from the video browser will not launch from the file browser. I have no idea why.
  • CupCak3 - Thursday, October 6, 2011 - link

    Really? This is a must for me in getting a streaming box (mainly since I have Prime). I've been holding out on getting a Roku hoping that a decent competitor would emerge which supports Netflix, Hulu+ and Amazon VOD.
  • war59312 - Friday, October 7, 2011 - link

    I'd love to see how it compares to the Boxee Box! :)

    Please use Firmware 1.2.1.20426 (4 October) when testing against the Boxee Box.
  • NeBlackCat - Friday, October 7, 2011 - link

    .. it'll do until the flood of cheap Tegra 3 boxes next year.
  • mrsmegz - Saturday, October 8, 2011 - link

    One of my biggest peves of these media players is how slow they navigate large directories. When i have 100's of folders in my Photos or Movie's Directory and viewing them 10 at a time, it makes the device completely useless to me. I have not seen a player other than Boxee Box or ATV2 w/ XBMC that can effectivly browse the large directories. A nice feature I like for this is the "accelerated direction arrows" on long press that scroll faster the longer you press.
  • IdBuRnS - Monday, October 24, 2011 - link

    I the new WD TV Live box a week ago (I'm just reading this review) and have been very happy with it. I bought it specifically for playing h.264 MKVs from my WHS on my Samsung LED LCD and it's been pretty much flawless and my 1080p Blu-Ray rips looks fantastic.

    I used to use my PS3 to playback the media from my WHS but having to transcode/re-mux all my MKVs was way too bothersome and all the media apps that I've used (Twonky, TVersity, PS3 Media Server, etc) all gave me issues.

    The only issue I've had so far is the interface for YouTube, trying to search for videos using a remote is tedious and just frustrating. Since it's not a feature I really care about it's not putting a damper on my use of the little box.

    The only downside(so far) is the lack of component video compatibility, something the previous model had. The Samsung in the bedroom has HDMI but my older Sony XBR downstairs does not. Monoprice has a converter for about $35 that I'm waiting for them to get back in stock so I can use the WD downstairs in the living room.
  • pugalenthi28 - Saturday, October 29, 2011 - link

    may i know how to get this product in INDIA ? and what would be the price of it.
  • chasesuperstar - Thursday, April 23, 2015 - link

    Great article Ganesh. For those who live outside US like me, you can access Netflix, Hulu and similar media stations on your WD TV Live by using UnoTelly or similar tools. :)

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