Western Digital WD TV HD Media Player - a HTPC replacement??

[moserw]

now that answers my question

now for the shocker!
no moserwim not asking just for theory im actaully considering this option!
i know the price is equal to that of an HTPC!

Yeah, I'm shocked or at the very least baffled, but I'm sure you have your reasons.

im pretty sure the beresford wont BEAT the Asus but im betting this combo will be better off than any budget CDP
am i i wrong in asuming that?

I'm happy though you're moving away from a CDP (not that I've anything against them), but they are way overpriced for what little they deliver IMHO (before the audiophiles beat me).

NOw as to why im being foolish to spend so much rather than an HTPC
well..thats a debated story whose justification is subjective

As I said, I'm sure you have your reasons and what works for you works for you and in the end that's what matters. Nothing foolish here...

and if i do decide to go the HTPC way im calling you up moser to list out the components i need and what exactly that would cost me!

Yeah I can post on this forum or else mail the details to your email, no problem.

 

[magma]

but venkat sir will the processing capabilities of the WDTV for 2 channel music matter?
im a noob in how exactly digital media travels and is transfered

i assumed that if we used the digital co axial output of the WDTV to feed the external DAC we would be by passing the inbuilt and inferior soundcard of the WDTV and hence i would be able to get the original clean digital signal to the external DAC

anyway i know full well for all the points you stated above that the HTPC with an asus like soundcard will sound better than the option im proposing
But if the difference is not going to be much ,at least i still have my option open to consider

P.S : that distance thing you mentioned and the concept of "longer the chain more the unclean the OP" is not cliche at all . its completely logical and i would subscibe to it too

thanks for your support

moserw
I would be glad if you listed out the details and their approx prices for a decent VFM rig. im sure other members would appreciate it too and would also help them in understanding why the HTPC is not an expensive approach for the returns you get.
and why they shudn't do what im doing - hehe

 

[venkatcr]

but venkat sir will the processing capabilities of the WDTV for 2 channel music matter? im a noob in how exactly digital media travels and is transfered

i assumed that if we used the digital co axial output of the WDTV to feed the external DAC we would be by passing the inbuilt and inferior soundcard of the WDTV and hence i would be able to get the original clean digital signal to the external DAC

You are correct. That is why I said I am assuming that the WDTV passes the digital data without any jitter. It most probably will do that.

Cheers

 

[anm]

A good power supply for wdtv may be helpful. I would get it if it is available in delhi/ nehru place.

 

[reju]

Don't you think the supplied power adapter will be a safer bet?

 

[anm]

hope so. otherwise we will come back to this forum ;-) asking for what next?

Don't you think the supplied power adapter will be a safer bet?

 

[moserw]

OIC. If you have anyone in Mumbai etc, they could buy and courier by Blue Dart - approx Rs. 250.
BTW even I could arrange for you. But I am not sure how we can get to doing that?

@reju - I missed this post...

Thanks for the offer. If I decide on WDTV will let you know. I'm sure the other details can be worked out...

BTW my new babies the AVI ADM9.1 are coming this week, so I'm sure going to be busy with them for a while.

 

[moserw]

i assumed that if we used the digital co axial output of the WDTV to feed the external DAC we would be by passing the inbuilt and inferior soundcard of the WDTV and hence i would be able to get the original clean digital signal to the external DAC

Most HDDs today do 80MB/sec which is super-great considering audiophile quality requires something like 10MB/sec. Also, we are yet using HDDs with moving parts and music sounds so good on them. SSD is the future and they are going to be in a different league altogether and music too will sound way better and be in a different league on SSD.

 

[reju]

@reju - I missed this post...

Thanks for the offer. If I decide on WDTV will let you know. I'm sure the other details can be worked out...

BTW my new babies the AVI ADM9.1 are coming this week, so I'm sure going to be busy with them for a while.

Sure! It will be my pleasure.
BTW can you describe AVI ADM9.1? Are they stereo speakers or 9.1 channel??

 

[anm]

great! Share your experiences on ADM9.1
Hope you become another fanboy, like there is one on computer audiophile :clapping:

@reju - I missed this post...

Thanks for the offer. If I decide on WDTV will let you know. I'm sure the other details can be worked out...

BTW my new babies the AVI ADM9.1 are coming this week, so I'm sure going to be busy with them for a while.

 

[moserw]

Sure! It will be my pleasure.
BTW can you describe AVI ADM9.1? Are they stereo speakers or 9.1 channel??

They are stereo speakers, but powered ones. To be connected to my PC for playing all my ripped FLAC/WAV files. More details at AVI - ADM9.1 active louspeakers.

I've gone for them without an audition, just based on reviews I read on the internet. My other choice was for Genelec, but my cousin did not have the time to hunt around for them and since he was in U.K. I settled for the AVI ADM9.1.

 

[Rem]

How much did u pay for them Moser

I have send you a PM

 

[anm]

mo sir,
were/ are you able to get any discount? The price quoted on web site include international shipping as well. Since you would be buying them in the UK, local shipping should be far cheaper, and should save you some bucks.

regards

 

[reju]

They are stereo speakers, but powered ones. To be connected to my PC for playing all my ripped FLAC/WAV files. More details at AVI - ADM9.1 active louspeakers.

I've gone for them without an audition, just based on reviews I read on the internet. My other choice was for Genelec, but my cousin did not have the time to hunt around for them and since he was in U.K. I settled for the AVI ADM9.1.

OMG!! 83K for this pair? Is this what you had to pay? Amazing product! Enjoy!!

 

[moserw]

How much did u pay for them Moser

I have send you a PM

@Rem, @magma, @reju - Cost worked out to around 70K, BIG thanks to "anm" saved on international shipping.

@magma - Unfortunately could not get the subwoofer this time as my cousin could not carry that much cash and was without his cards. Probably will get it next time if I feel I need the thump in the music!!! Coming to the Audioengine A5 I did order them online and got them for USD 325, but they are in U.S. with my SIL who will probably come at the end of this year. Unfortunately I made the mistake of ordering them and delivery to her address in the U.S. since shipping was free. Now they're stuck in the U.S. Will probably move them to the parents' bedroom or else pair them with the plasma PV8/Tata Sky so the audio part too will be good. A couple of my friends have done the same thing i.e. used the Audioengine A5 to connect to the STB and now they're enjoying great audio along with video on their LCDs and plasmas.

Will post reviews soon, as soon as they've had a run in.

 

[reju]

Did you just place the order? What about VAT? You could claim VAT refund too. Ask your cousin to fill the required form and claim at the airport.

 

[moserw]

Did you just place the order? What about VAT? You could claim VAT refund too. Ask your cousin to fill the required form and claim at the airport.

Purchase is done. Cousin picked them up. Not sure about VAT, but I think it's charged. I don't about claiming VAT refund. How is that done? Any links or information about it?

 

[anm]

thank you for your thank you! :yahoo:

regards

@Rem, @magma, @reju - Cost worked out to around 70K, BIG thanks to "anm" saved on international shipping.

@magma - Unfortunately could not get the subwoofer this time as my cousin could not carry that much cash and was without his cards. Probably will get it next time if I feel I need the thump in the music!!! Coming to the Audioengine A5 I did order them online and got them for USD 325, but they are in U.S. with my SIL who will probably come at the end of this year. Unfortunately I made the mistake of ordering them and delivery to her address in the U.S. since shipping was free. Now they're stuck in the U.S. Will probably move them to the parents' bedroom or else pair them with the plasma PV8/Tata Sky so the audio part too will be good. A couple of my friends have done the same thing i.e. used the Audioengine A5 to connect to the STB and now they're enjoying great audio along with video on their LCDs and plasmas.

Will post reviews soon, as soon as they've had a run in.

 

[moserw]

thank you for your thank you! :yahoo:

regards

I should be doing the thanking buddy. Saved quite a bit of money thanks to info provided by you. Lunch/dinner on me when we meet up...

 

[reju]

Purchase is done. Cousin picked them up. Not sure about VAT, but I think it's charged. I don't about claiming VAT refund. How is that done? Any links or information about it?

Check here: HM Revenue & Customs

You can save approx 9K. So one WD TV + 160GB HDD FREE with AVI ADM9.1