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

[amitksingh2003]

Just saw this somewhere

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

BUT The issue of concern is that the US model
(NTSC): WDBAAN0000NBK-NESN supports only NTSC

whereas tat available in INDIA supports PAL
either of the 2
(apac=asia pacific)
(emea=europian) i guess it shd be APAc...watever
* Order/Model Number APAC (PAL): WDBAAP0000NBK-PESN
* Order/Model Number EMEA (PAL): WDBAAP0000NBK-EESN

IS the NTSC a problem..
My question

1. will it work on indian tvs
2. will it play thru only ntsc dvd s or blu rays

Thats shouldn't be a problem I think, coz all new tv models can handle NTSC,PAL and SECAM.

As far as WDTV's ability to play NTSC and PAL format is concerned, I found users playing both format on a single WDTV Live version without facing any problem. Pls refer to the link below:

PAL or NTSC source - WDTV FORUMS

 

[sam9s]

Just saw this somewhere

BUT The issue of concern is that the US model
(NTSC): WDBAAN0000NBK-NESN supports only NTSC

whereas tat available in INDIA supports PAL
either of the 2
(apac=asia pacific)
(emea=europian) i guess it shd be APAc...watever
* Order/Model Number APAC (PAL): WDBAAP0000NBK-PESN
* Order/Model Number EMEA (PAL): WDBAAP0000NBK-EESN
IS the NTSC a problem..
My question

1. will it work on indian tvs
2. will it play thru only ntsc dvd s or blu rays

This should not be a problem, I got my WD TV from US, didnt even bother to see if its PAL, NTSC .... Plays on my LCD and CRT without any problem.....

 

[goyal.sanchit]

WD TV has options for both PAL and NTSC....You can change to either from the settings menu.

 

[infinity]

+1 to that....absolutely no issues with NTSC and PAL..using Gen 1 for about a year now.

 

[viveknath]

Thanks guys for all your responses

 

[blwetorch]

Hi guys,

Have you checked this website Online Shopping India - Online Shopping with Best Deals on Mobiles, PDAs, Laptops, Digital Cameras, LCD & Accessories for purchasing WD TV Live?

I think, this is the best price offer that we have seen so far, in India.
It is also bundling a 320 GB HDD( My Passport) at nominal price. The total package is barely Rs. 11179/- approx.

I think, this is quite reasonable.

 

[iyersn]

Where can I buy this in Mumbai? And at what price? Pl. provide with contact no.
Thnx in advance.

 

[iyersn]

I bought WD TV Live today - my shopkeeper from Mulund got one for me after I placed the order yesterday - he got it from someone else for me.
I am having some issues in certain files:

a) .3gp video files dont open in this - any solution to convert these into any playable mode/ files?
b) certain .mp4 files also dont open - need to analyse which specific ones are these
c) certain .mp4 files open but sound takes a beating - for some files it says audio not supported, while for some it displays 1/1:AAC but there is no sound absolutely.

I have connected this directly to my Bravia through HDMI cable.

The PQ quality upping is very commendable - very good. I enjoyed watching my kid's shooting/ photos taken during her early childhood.
The set is directly out of the box - havent done any upgrade, etc. - is there one?

also suggest a good wifi accessory for this- I have broadband at home.

Suggestions are most welcome and highly appreciated.

 

[sam9s]

a. 3gp container is not supported by WD TV, maybe in future firmware ...
b. MP4 is supported, but need some more info to investigate ..... use media info tool to get the file info and post it here ...
c. same as above need some more info ...

Upgrades are in the form of Firmwares, check your firmware and update to the latest by downloading through their site........
Check THIS PAGE

For wifi you need a USB wireless adapter for WD Live .... check the below link for compatible wifi adapters for the product ...

List of devices that can be connected to a WD TV Live HD Media Player and WD TV Live Plus HD Media Player

 

[vivek.saikia]

The name, WD TV HD Media Player, very well indicates that this is primarily a video player but I wanted to know how does it scores in the audio department. Can FLAC SQ played through it be compared to that of a decent cdp?
The reason I am asking this is because I have a 160gb WD hard disk filled brimful with music and I would like to connect it to this media player, provided the SQ is good as a future upgrade (currently an iPod). How are you all owners finding the sound quality of this media player? Any feedback would be helpful.
Thanks!
Vivek

 

[iyersn]

a. 3gp container is not supported by WD TV, maybe in future firmware ...
b. MP4 is supported, but need some more info to investigate ..... use media info tool to get the file info and post it here ...
c. same as above need some more info ...

Upgrades are in the form of Firmwares, check your firmware and update to the latest by downloading through their site........
Check THIS PAGE

For wifi you need a USB wireless adapter for WD Live .... check the below link for compatible wifi adapters for the product ...

List of devices that can be connected to a WD TV Live HD Media Player and WD TV Live Plus HD Media Player

Thanks for your prompt response, really appreciated.
I shall post the files separately - I am travelling currently and need to check if I have carried the USB with me.
I have downloaded the latest firmware and updated the same.
I need to search where such wi-fi could be available in Mumbai.

 

[argho]

The name, WD TV HD Media Player, very well indicates that this is primarily a video player but I wanted to know how does it scores in the audio department. Can FLAC SQ played through it be compared to that of a decent cdp?
The reason I am asking this is because I have a 160gb WD hard disk filled brimful with music and I would like to connect it to this media player, provided the SQ is good as a future upgrade (currently an iPod). How are you all owners finding the sound quality of this media player? Any feedback would be helpful.
Thanks!
Vivek

I play all my music through my WD TV.
It works wonderfully well - in the sense that I have become the complete couch potato. Just point the remote and browse through my entire music collection.

I have it connected via HDMI to my Denon 1910. Audio output is digital. Therefore it is the DAC of the Denon that is used, not the WD TV. Have never tested the analog stereo out of the WD TV.

 

[vivek.saikia]

I play all my music through my WD TV.
It works wonderfully well - in the sense that I have become the complete couch potato. Just point the remote and browse through my entire music collection.

I have it connected via HDMI to my Denon 1910. Audio output is digital. Therefore it is the DAC of the Denon that is used, not the WD TV. Have never tested the analog stereo out of the WD TV.

HiArgho,
Could you please check the sound quality from the analog audio output of the player? I have a stereo integrated amp which has only analog inputs.
Thanks!

 

[madbullram]

Analog out SQ of WDTV is average similar to your DVDp. When added to a DAC it becomes a good transport though.

 

[vivek.saikia]

Analog out SQ of WDTV is average similar to your DVDp. When added to a DAC it becomes a good transport though.

In that case it would be much cheaper if I just connect my external hard disk to a good DVD player which has USB input, right?

 

[BLASTO]

The AC-DC power adapter of my WDTV went kaput due to some spike in current yesterday.

Where do I pick up a replacement? Is there a good reliable brand available?

 

[cmsajith]

In my case the adapter went kaput on the first day even without any power fluctuation. Anyways, I am using a DIY 12v adapter and its working fine.

WD DAC can be compared to a normal DVDP, an external dac is preferred. I am using it along with Beresford Caiman DAC for music and AVR DAC for movies.

 

[sam9s]

Analog out SQ of WDTV is average similar to your DVDp. When added to a DAC it becomes a good transport though.

A small question that gets me confuse sometimes, when you say DAC, does that mean a stereo AMP or is it some exclusive piece of hardware. AFAIK a stereo amp would also include a DAC in itself.

I will be buying a stereo AMP preferably marantz for my stereo setup, connecting it with WD TV through optical, is that sufficient to get the best out of FLAC, or u suggest something else .....

 

[sam9s]

DAC is not built into stereo amps........
in order to decode flac externally you need dac and from dac signal flows to amp............hope that solves

mmmm how is the Stereo AMP converting digital to analog then .... ???
connecting WD TV directly to AMP via optical wont do ????

 

[unleash_me]

DAC is a exclusive piece of equipment.
DAC is not built into stereo amps........
in order to decode flac externally you need dac and from dac signal flows to amp............hope that solves

Hmm...yes and no. May be this list will help you change your mind