*Official* WD TV Live Streaming Media Player Thread - Page 76

Are you not in the USA or Canada?
I cannot recall a firmware without Pandora, Vudu and Hulu Plus.

I know that some services have not been released in some countries and the unit doesn’t show services that are unavailable in some countries. You can go back to older firmware by either downloading the special rollback versions onto a usb stick. It has a false id in the ver file to trick the unit into believing that it is newer firmware.

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Can anyone shoot me a pm
And help me out with setting up my wd live to have thumbnails of bluray covers with info etc etc

Would greatly appreciate it

Does it say no content or content can't be played?

Are you using the media library's network share manager?

Is the source you selected the Media Library or Network Share?


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I'm from the USA and bought the unit from Amazon in the USA. Now that you mention it, the unit did say something about having an issue with "establishing location". I assume WD themselves don't have the older FW available on their site.

Something wrong with your Internet, possibly?

Are you sure you're looking in the right place? Are you seeing Netflix, CinemaNow, etc?

Problem solved. The WD "location server" was down for about 24 hours. Basically, the unit couldn't contact the server to let it know it's in the USA.

And apparently it was too obvious for WD to implement an option to set the location manually just for cases like this.

I said I would do a follow-up on the DVR capabilities with WD TV Live.

Well it technically works. I hooked up a Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-950Q and I can watch OTA HD through the WD and I can record what I'm watching. But, there is no guide and no ability to schedule recordings that I can find. A software upgrade from Hauppauge could probably fix it

So although it can do it, it's useless for my purposes.

Overall score for the unit: C

Pros
1) DTS sound and slightly better streaming of my MKV files
2) 5.1 Sound through Netflix
3) $79 free shipping on Amazon

Cons
1) Slow
2) Netflix not well implemented
3) DVR function useless

Sound when watching movies means a lot to me, especially when we have people over for movie night. Better sound, along with seeing how much it could aid me in cutting my cable bill, was my reason for purchase. It does what I wanted sound wise, but no help in cutting the cable bill. So for me, the $79 was worth it. The sound limitations are a Sony limitation as I understand it, so your TV or Blu-Ray player may already do what this unit does for me.

I think most people would be happy with the Sony Bravia's steaming capability when used with Serviio and the LPCM sound from Netflixs.

Overall I'll be better off putting in a new video card with HDMI into my HTPC, that will give me the best sound from my MKV files, even better than the WD. I'll then Tweak XBMC and get a user friendly remote. I don't believe Netflix has 5.1 sound through the PC yet, so maybe I'll hang on to the WD for a while, but it destined for eBay.

I would say though, if your TV or Blu-ray doesn't stream and you're not into building a HTPC this would probably work for you.

Thanks for confirming this.

 

Now, if it only had Amazon Prime VOD (also in HD and 5.1). But, it hasn't happened by now, so I guess I can just forget about it.

It's probably a security feature required by many of the services. They don't want you cheating and saying you are in a country that you actually aren't.

I guess someone would say that so on the other forum I also mentioned that pretty much all of these servers use geolocation themselves to shut out "cheaters". I cannot access Netflix (without proxy, VPN) even if the SMP would place me in the US.

Alright guys...thanks for the help for getting me started earlier! I got it up and running for both my .mkv files and all my .wav/.flac audio files. I've got a few questions that I've searched a little, but it's hard to find them all in one question so I'll go ahead and see if I can get some answers.

1. Is there any way to have the streaming device still connect to my PC without the PC having to be on/not in "sleep"...still on...but just in sleep mode? (not a big deal...just figured I'd ask)

2. My .mkv files are stopping at times to, what I assume is buffer or something, and then they start back up after 5 seconds or so. Sometimes it'll happen once and then just continue....sometimes it'll happen 3-4 times within a 5 minutes. Firmware looks to be up to date also. This a common issue?

3. Sometimes I'll have to "search" for my PC by selecting "Network Share", selecting my PC, letting it load all my stuff...then being able to use it. Why doesn't it remember what to connect to? Is there something I can do so that when I turn the WDTVlive on that it will automatically know it's needs to connect to my PC.

4. My router (netgear wnr2000v3) seems to only be putting out around 2 bars to the WDTV-Live and it's only 30' or so away. Our phones (galaxy s3's) have full bars, but for some reason the WIFI isn't reaching the WD very well. My router firmware is up to date and I've got it off "Auto" mode and on Channel 11 as most are set to 6 or Auto I believe. Is there something I need to do or a different router? Maybe this one sucks. It's not that told so maybe I can sell it
Edited by ousooner2 - 12/22/12 at 9:23am

1- Maybe I'm not understanding your question, but, uhm, if your PC is OFF, how would the WD connect to it?
2- It's a common issue with Wireless, not common at all on all-wired...
3- Not sure about that. I've not seen that issue with my NAS boxes, but my NAS boxes are on 24x7.

I'm still a rookie but I'll chime in:

On (3), I have had to rebuild the shares in Setup e.g. to find subfolders. After the rebuild my library works perfectly. The WDTV seems to want to maintain a continuous connection to all network resources even when not in use. Mine doesn't seem to be very good at reconnecting libraries after devices have been shut down.

On (2) & (4), my Netgear WNDR3800 is also 2 bars at about 30' through 3 walls and so far it's worked without a hiccup on default settings. Maybe you have other heavy traffic hitting your 2.4GHZ band? I'm streaming mostly MKV's recorded at about 35MB/minute quality, from a Seagate GoFlex. Sometimes a little stutter at startup but it smooths out within a few seconds. So unless you're having trouble establishing & maintaining the WIFI connection, I doubt if the 2-bar signal is a factor...

If the problem is weak WIFI signal, you might try

1) picking up a range extender if you have a convenient midway location; or
2) Attach a USB drive and move your MKV's to that before playing (that might also avoid some of your sharing issues). I haven't tried it, but it might be possible to rip MKV's directly to the WDTV's USB drive...

CC

Fixed #1. Sorry...that was a weird way of saying it. Usually my PC is in sleep (not off), but it doesn't want connect

Another weird thing is that I just turned it on and it asked me for the username/password again of the PC. Odd. Nothing has changed lol

2. I'm about to put in a wall plate to replace the wall plate I have that just has my cable connector on it. Going to replace it with a wall plate of 2 sets of banana plugs, cable connector (forget what the "official" name is for this connector) and I'll just throw in an ethernet jack on it also so I can hard wire for more stable connections.

3. Thanks. I'll see if I can find a way to change the NAS to stay on all the time


Thanks for the help. I was looking at AVR's and when searching at Newegg I came across some wireless extenders that just plug into USB. I was thinking maybe I could just plug one into the WDTV and that would act as a repeater/extender. They were pretty cheap if that'll work

http://www.newegg.com/Receivers/SubCategory/ID-488?Order=PRICE

In theory I wouldn't expect an extender placed near the WDTV to get any better reception from the router than the WDTV itself - unless maybe it supported a lower-traffic 5GHZ band, but in my experience with all things being equal 5GHZ tends to be less stable at fringe distances than 2.4...

AFAIK a PC can wake itself, say, to start a WMC recording, but when asleep the network connection isn't even active, so no way to wake it remotely. Hmm - or maybe one of those remote car starters could be re-engineered for a PC??? Now if you need it awake on some regular schedule, you could possibly use task scheduler to force a wake-up, along with a fairly long idle wait time before sleep mode? But I'm a bit confused - if you're streaming from NAS why do you need the PC on at all?

CC

Sorry...my storage device is my PC so I guess that's not an NAS. I dunno lol.

I'm beginning to get a little upset and depressed because I can't figure this damn thing out now. It was working fine and today I go to fire it up and I can't find the music. The folder with all my music/movies says it's shared, but it's not coming up when I do "Network Shares". Usually I have to go:

Network Shares --> Windows Shares --> MY PC

Now the "MY PC" doesn't show up like it's not finding anything. Been reading a few things online about settings in the "Network & Sharing Center" in the Control Panel, but haven't seemed to get it to work yet. Ugh

If it was working before, it's most likely the WDTV, not the PC - have you tried a restart? (I think it's in Settings->System). And if your share is password protected you might need to reset so it will prompt again the next time you select it...

CC

Im considering this unit, but am not 100% sold on it. I currently have a PCH A-210 in my theater room. I have approx 200 BD rips in mkv format stored on a NAS, complete with album art NFO flies, etc. I have a couple other tvs in the house and am thinking its a shame i cant watch any of the movie collection on them. So, i'm looking for something cheap to use there. Im running YAMJ on the PCH, which gives a nice interface and album art, media info, etc. I'm wondering what the interface on the WDTV looks like and how easy it is to use. I've been looking for some good screenshots or youtube videos to see what it looks like.

some Q's i have:
1. if i set this up through wifi can i stream my 1080p mkvs? or should i plan to hardwire?
2. i understand this thing will do dolby truehd, but not dts hdma. is that correct? i don't think this will be an issue for me as the displays i'm planning to use it on don't have a receiver or seperate audio system.
3. can someone point me to some good photos or videos that show what the interface would be like with navigating my movie collection? I just want to make sure it is intuitive enough that my family can use it easily.
4. Is the remote IR based, so that i can use my existing harmony remotes?
5. can someone provide some general commentary on how reliable it is handling the 1080p mkv's i have?

Thanks!

1. I'm doing the same. It works 90% of the time with wireless, but I'm still going to wired. Easy to do with wall plates nowadays and I've got an attic to run it through and into the living room
2. ?
3. I can try tomorrow or Monday. It's MUCH better/nicer looking than Roku2 if you ask me. I've had both.
4. ?
5. All my .mkv's are handled well besides a few buffers when it just stops for a few seconds. Can't complain though

I just wish I could get mine to work all the time. I'm convinced I've got a setting or something incorrect. Hopefully some of these nice guys continue to help me out until I figure it out :D

2. Common on wired ethernet? ... no its not.

3. Set static IP address.

4. Run a wire.

4. Yes

 

5. Should be fine. But if they are MakeMKV rips (high-bit rate 1080p and/or also include full lossless HD-Audio audio tracks) better to have a gigabit network backbone.

Can I hookup 2 external hard drives to the wdtv live in the two USB ports?

Better yet can I run a USB Hub and run multiple drives?

Yes to both.

Wow nice thanks. Any drives recommended? Or hubs to use

Sounds like you've ruled out NAS as even a part of your storage solution? Which suggests that you don't plan to stream to other TV's, tablets etc.? How much storage do you need, and do you plan to keep it backed up?

In my setup, portables would be too susceptible to bumps and shakes, especially considering that they're powered up 24/7. Dockables might be somewhat more stable. Multiple portables may also require a powered hub. Powered or portable, if you don't need all your content on line full time, dockables are good to avoid wear&tear on USB connectors, especially the sometimes-nonstandard micro connectors on some portables.

Although I have no evidence, desktop drives seem better suited to long-term always-on use, they're not sharing a limited supply of USB power, and the size and weight make them somewhat less vulnerable.

I'm not sure, but I think Seagate has 1 - 3 TB drives that can share both USB docks and Ethernet docks - maybe a worthwhile investment in future flexibility...

CC

I don't plan on streaming to any other devices. This will be just used to store some blurays in my theater room. I would guess between 3-6 or maybe even 9tb worth.

They will only be powered when in use. What would you suggest

You would have to unplug the WDTV to shut down portables, and may have trouble if you don't eject first. But for 9TB you're probably looking at desktops. If you need all 9TB on line every time you power up, docks don't buy you anything.

I wouldn't blindly assume a config that large would work well - If you haven't already, I would check out the WD support forum for feedback before buying the hardware...

CC

With that much data you need some sort of a NAS. Whether it's a full PC or a standalone like a Qnap or Synology, USB drives are simply going to be an inefficient and kludgy way to manage your data.