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*Official* WD TV Live Hub Thread - Page 2

post #31 of 2117
10/16/10 at 11:15pm
Thats a good point. You can slam whatever size disk in the Smart that you want but as far as I know they just come with an empty bay. So its 60 bucks more for 1TB and 100 bucks for 2TB. I am one of the people that stream from a server so the internal storage is a non issue for me.
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post #32 of 2117
10/16/10 at 11:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nexus99 View Post

For me I am comparing this to a Dune Smart H1/D1/B1. The Smarts look to be 25 or so bucks more but it seem slike you get alot more for the money.

Of course the the only Smart you can buy now is the H1.

Yeah.. I was thinking of getting a Fusion HD which is about 200.. and then a 1TB drive to put inside will be another 50 or 60. The Hub is 230 + 20 for wireless adapter so it's basically same price. Fusion has browser but no Netflix.. so I'd rather have the Netflix.. and the Hub has component which is nice too. I'll be using it on a Sony WEGA which has 1080i

I really do think that for $230 they can throw in a wireless adapter. Just saying.
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post #33 of 2117
10/16/10 at 11:44pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by nexus99 View Post

Thats a good point. You can slam whatever size disk in the Smart that you want but as far as I know they just come with an empty bay. So its 60 bucks more for 1TB and 100 bucks for 2TB. I am one of the people that stream from a server so the internal storage is a non issue for me.

I think the Live Hub has 2.5" drives, and 1 TB in that size is more than $100 right now. Also, this one seems to have GbE, while Dune is still 100 Mbps only. The Dune has a BDA license, while Live Hub probably doesn't. On the other hand, the Live Hub has Netflix which the Dunes will probably never have. So, one of the players can be picked depending on what is important for the end user. As someone was mentioning in one of the other threads, every media player always leaves something to be desired

Quote:
Originally Posted by mzaur View Post

Yeah.. I was thinking of getting a Fusion HD which is about 200.. and then a 1TB drive to put inside will be another 50 or 60. The Hub is 230 + 20 for wireless adapter so it's basically same price. Fusion has browser but no Netflix.. so I'd rather have the Netflix.. and the Hub has component which is nice too. I'll be using it on a Sony WEGA which has 1080i

I really do think that for $230 they can throw in a wireless adapter. Just saying.

The FusionHD will probably have more active firmware development (since that happens to be their lead product for now) compared to Live Hub. Note that the $230 is in CAD. In US, it might be $199 for all we know
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post #34 of 2117
10/16/10 at 11:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jakmal View Post

The FusionHD will probably have more active firmware development (since that happens to be their lead product for now) compared to Live Hub. Note that the $230 is in CAD. In US, it might be $199 for all we know

Yeah that's true about the Fusion, and they are trying to get Netflix on there. That's why I'll wait a month and see how the Hub goes. Maybe it won't need much in the way of fixes. And I think WD has been pretty decent with WD Live right? I've never had a WD product before. Mainly I want to get this because it has internal HD and component. Don't know of other media players that have that.

About pricing.. 1 CAD is 1 USD pretty much, but I do hope you are right
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post #35 of 2117
10/17/10 at 1:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nexus99 View Post

Thats a good point. You can slam whatever size disk in the Smart that you want but as far as I know they just come with an empty bay. So its 60 bucks more for 1TB and 100 bucks for 2TB. I am one of the people that stream from a server so the internal storage is a non issue for me.

Do you do this wirelessly?

I thought about doing that and getting the cheaper WD TV Live Plus (it's only 99 at newegg) but I'll need a new router. I have a G network. I'll need to get concurrent dual band N router which will run me at least another 150. I read somewhere that a single channel won't work if you have non-N connections (my computers have G wireless cards). Either way I'm spending about $250 to do this. I already have a 1TB external so storage isn't an issue.. maybe I should just get a new router. *sigh* lol
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post #36 of 2117
10/17/10 at 1:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jcc View Post

The problem I have with these media drives is that they have USB to use as masters but not slaves. That means I'm stuck using the network to transfer files. This can take way too long especially that first time when you need to dump .5tb or more onto the new drive.

Why is it so difficult for them to put in a USB slave jack?

Do all media players with internal harddrives work that way? I can't start to imagine transfering my files via network!! Can't it just be like the PS3, transfer files via an external harddrive. Does the WDTV Live HUB work this way? If so...next!! : )
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post #37 of 2117
10/17/10 at 1:42am
no of course you can play off of USB
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post #38 of 2117
10/17/10 at 2:00am
That I know. What I meant was how can I transfer my external HDD files onto the internal HDD? Via network & USB or just network?
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post #39 of 2117
10/17/10 at 2:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ferdie View Post

That I know. What I meant was how can I transfer my external HDD files onto the internal HDD? Via network & USB or just network?

Why would you not be able to transfer via USB? Don't think that would be a problem.
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post #40 of 2117
10/17/10 at 2:12am
Thanks for your reply. It's just that I read a comment and I got a bit confused with the statement.

Thanks again!
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post #41 of 2117
10/17/10 at 2:17am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ferdie View Post

Thanks for your reply. It's just that I read a comment and I got a bit confused with the statement.

Thanks again!

I think what the OP meant was that the media player doesn't act like an external hard disk. So, if you connect the media player with 1 TB hard disk to your computer, you will not get a 1 TB external hard drive pop up in your explorer. This is called as the 'slave mode'. Most USB ports on media players are 'host mode', where the media player itself acts as the master for any USB storage devices attached to it.
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post #42 of 2117
10/17/10 at 2:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jakmal View Post

I think what the OP meant was that the media player doesn't act like an external hard disk. So, if you connect the media player with 1 TB hard disk to your computer, you will not get a 1 TB external hard drive pop up in your explorer. This is called as the 'slave mode'. Most USB ports on media players are 'host mode', where the media player itself acts as the master for any USB storage devices attached to it.

Many thanks for you explanation! I got worried there!! : )
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post #43 of 2117
10/17/10 at 3:01am
Thanks for sharing, Dave.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mrdavet View Post

1.has played every media I've thrown at it tonight, mkv, .ts, .ts (HD), avi, iso.

Whereas ISO still is not officially support (at least it's still not mentioned on the box). Probably because they wouldn't want to hear complaints from ppl trying BD ISOs instead of DVD ISOs.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brajesh View Post

- Support for MKV chapters

Should be a given since the LIVE also does them even with titles and who would build an upgraded device with less features (Uhm, wait...).

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nogib View Post

Does it do better displaying subtitles than the WDTV Live did? In otherwords, multiple simultaneous subtitle tracks and positioning?

What do you mean by multiple subtitles? Several streams in an idx/sub? In case you already posted something about this please show me the link so I can include it in my upcoming posting on the WD forums listing all subtitle issues of the LIVE.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mrdavet View Post

Netflix: I'm in Canuck-land, Netflix is new here, and apparently CDN-Netflix hasn't been enabled on WD devices.

No surprise there
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post #44 of 2117
10/17/10 at 7:33am
If I did not already have a WDTV Live, I would probably hit up on this. I don't see any real improvements over the WD Live that I am currently using, so I will wait until it dies and then probably upgrade. Looks nice though.
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post #45 of 2117
10/17/10 at 8:48am
Can it play .wtv files that were recorded from a Win7 Media Center?
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post #46 of 2117
10/17/10 at 9:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ferdie View Post

Many thanks for you explanation! I got worried there!! : )

Since most of us acquire new media through our computers and not external drives, it makes sense to be able to attach your computer to these media drives so you can do large dumps of your data. Why have a USB3 when you can't really use it but one way only?

It's not that difficult to make it so.
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post #47 of 2117
10/17/10 at 10:47am
Hi
Does it have the same issue as the wdtv live, not been able to connect to a pc that has windows live messenger installed?
can you try please?

thanks

would also like to see some IMDB info about the movies too like on xbmc
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post #48 of 2117
10/17/10 at 11:13am
...It's not just Windows Live Messenger that has an issue (in fact, I don't remember that causing an issue with the Live/Live+) it's Windows Live Sign-In Assistant that caused most of the problems.

Windows Live Essentials installs BOTH of those, so....
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post #49 of 2117
10/17/10 at 11:40am
I was really hoping the next WDTV box was going to support bluray isos/folders and HD audio but I guess I'm going to have to settle for the Dune H1 player as well.
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post #50 of 2117
10/17/10 at 11:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mzaur View Post

Do you do this wirelessly?

I thought about doing that and getting the cheaper WD TV Live Plus (it's only 99 at newegg) but I'll need a new router. I have a G network. I'll need to get concurrent dual band N router which will run me at least another 150. I read somewhere that a single channel won't work if you have non-N connections (my computers have G wireless cards). Either way I'm spending about $250 to do this. I already have a 1TB external so storage isn't an issue.. maybe I should just get a new router. *sigh* lol

I use a netgear wndr3300 which is a concurrent dual band N router and it cost me $40 for a refurbished unit @ amazon.
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post #51 of 2117
10/17/10 at 12:00pm
Looks like a very interesting device, it does many things. One thing I would love to see in a "do all" device like this is to add an ATSC / DVB DVR. I'm surprised that more of these have not popped up after the US digital conversion.

Embedding a tuner would limit the market for each model, but they could do it as an optional USB device.
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post #52 of 2117
10/17/10 at 1:20pm
thinking of driving down to a local BB to see if I'll get lucky, haha. I live in NJ
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post #53 of 2117
10/17/10 at 1:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mzaur View Post

I wonder why the box says Adobe Flash lite, and yet there's no browser. Maybe they plan on adding the browser later? hmm.

So do you guys think that it's worth the $230 price tag?

No, not by a long shot - its very close to logitechs Revue. And I think WD has proven they are very slow to fix bugs, and generally don't want to add new stuff (they want you to buy the next version) - where as in Google TV its Android, so people are just going to make new programs if something new comes up.
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post #54 of 2117
10/17/10 at 1:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by arswhat View Post

No, not by a long shot - its very close to logitechs Revue. And I think WD has proven they are very slow to fix bugs, and generally don't want to add new stuff (they want you to buy the next version) - where as in Google TV its Android, so people are just going to make new programs if something new comes up.

I don't think Revue has an internal HD. I kind of really like that about the Hub, or else I would get the Live Plus which is only $99 on newegg
atm

I mainly want to play local media and maybe some netflix streaming, so we are looking for different things.
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post #55 of 2117
10/17/10 at 1:43pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by arswhat View Post

No, not by a long shot - its very close to logitechs Revue. And I think WD has proven they are very slow to fix bugs, and generally don't want to add new stuff (they want you to buy the next version) - where as in Google TV its Android, so people are just going to make new programs if something new comes up.

My initial impression after looking at the specs is that it is worth the asking price, if you are already planning to buy a WDTV Live+ along with some storage for putting your media.

The price for WDTV Live + on sale here in the US is $119, and the 1 TB hard drive from Newegg (2.5" model) is also $119. The cost of this unit appears to be cheaper than the total cost of those two components. Also, note that the price in USD might be cheaper than what it is in CAD.

GoogleTV / Android is not the ideal solution that everyone seems to think it is. All of them are limited inherently by the capabilities of the underlying platform (CE4100 in case of the Revue). We still don't know how active Logitech is going to be for core functionality updates (at least WD TVs come with ability to access NTFS file systems on USB compared to how much Logitech is gimping their Revue). Yes, you might have more apps and what not for ancillary functions, but this would be very similar to what b-rad does in his custome firmware, i.e, core functionality and capabilities will not change.
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post #56 of 2117
10/17/10 at 1:45pm
This is on my xmas list for sure.

And now for something completely different.

Check this out. http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=861
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post #57 of 2117
10/17/10 at 2:08pm
Jakmal, I agree with you but just wanted to say that the Live + is $99 on newegg with free shipping. I still think the Hub is worth it.
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post #58 of 2117
10/17/10 at 2:21pm
This unit looks pretty nice. I hope someone will upload some videos of the UI and features.

Has there been any indication of a HDD-less version coming out?



Quote:
Originally Posted by mzaur View Post

I wonder why the box says Adobe Flash lite, and yet there's no browser. Maybe they plan on adding the browser later? hmm.

I suspect the UI is written using Flash Lite, and that some of the streaming services use it as well.

I certainly wouldn't read into it as being related to an upcoming browser. If that were the case, it would have real Flash (10.1), not Lite.
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post #59 of 2117
10/17/10 at 2:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mzaur View Post

I don't think Revue has an internal HD. I kind of really like that about the Hub, or else I would get the Live Plus which is only $99 on newegg
atm

If you are right it doesn't have an internal HD, so if you need that it clearly isn't good for you.


Quote:
Originally Posted by jakmal View Post

GoogleTV / Android is not the ideal solution that everyone seems to think it is. All of them are limited inherently by the capabilities of the underlying platform (CE4100 in case of the Revue).

Now now, you do know, don't you, that there are a lot of negative google tv people in this forum - so not everybody.
However It was my understand that ALL platforms would be using the CE4100 - and from what I'm read that's fine. You have a problem with that chip?


Quote:
Originally Posted by jakmal View Post

We still don't know how active Logitech is going to be for core functionality updates (at least WD TVs come with ability to access NTFS file systems on USB compared to how much Logitech is gimping their Revue).

For me the lack of NTFS (and Samba) is an annoyance with Android (and I suspect its because of licensing costs), but will probably be fixed in the future.

However I think you are wrong about Logitech being active - Google will update the firmware, like the do with the phones - not Logitech.


Quote:
Originally Posted by jakmal View Post

Yes, you might have more apps and what not for ancillary functions, but this would be very similar to what b-rad does in his custome firmware, i.e, core functionality and capabilities will not change.

I disagree. brads stuff is deeply nerdy and complicated (you have to understand linux) normal people don't understand it, and you don't really get anything new out of it.
Here people could make streaming apps, use btorrent clients from the market, add tons of things - where the WD modding is very narrow with no support from the producing company.
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post #60 of 2117
10/17/10 at 3:07pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by arswhat View Post

Now now, you do know, don't you, that there are a lot of negative google tv people in this forum - so not everybody.
However It was my understand that ALL platforms would be using the CE4100 - and from what I'm read that's fine. You have a problem with that chip?

I have absolutely no problem with the chip. In fact, I think Boxee Box using the same chip will be one of the streamers to look out for in the coming months. It is in my best interest to call a spade as it is. I have nothing to gain by saying one chip is better than the other.

Quote:


For me the lack of NTFS (and Samba) is an annoyance with Android (and I suspect its because of licensing costs), but will probably be fixed in the future.

There are many such things which can be fixed in the future in other products too. Let us evaluate all streamers for what they are currently.

Quote:


However I think you are wrong about Logitech being active - Google will update the firmware, like the do with the phones - not Logitech.

Can you give me a link supporting your point that it is not Logitech, but Google, which will take care of the updates? Even if the above point is backed up, I feel that the media streamer market is fundamentally different from the phone market. Google's updates will be geared more towards enriching your online experience (so that you can access the Internet in an easier manner and they can make you see and be influenced by the ads they put). I feel that the core CE4100 functionality (the details of the APIs for the chip) are still with the Logitech engineers. I am still on the lookout for more information about this.

Quote:


I disagree. brads stuff is deeply nerdy and complicated (you have to understand linux) normal people don't understand it, and you don't really get anything new out of it.
Here people could make streaming apps, use btorrent clients from the market, add tons of things - where the WD modding is very narrow with no support from the producing company.

B-Rad's stuff could add Btorrent and Usenet clients the last time I looked at it. YouTube HD could be enabled even though it wasn't in the official firmware. Anything which doesn't need the core APIs of the underlying chip is OK for b-rad. I agree that the modding is quite narrow, but that is because the product is not as popular as the common Android platform. That is one advantage that Android has. However, there is also the issue that an app in the Android market suitable for a phone UI might not be really suitable for the GoogleTV UI. (I think there was some talk about Google not sanctioning Android for tablets officially because the app experience wouldn't be the same that people had with phones). All in all, we will have to wait and watch how Google TV will pan out. But, I am quite sure that, at launch, the WDTV Live Hub will cater more to the members in this forum compared to the Revue.
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