Western Digital TV HD Media Player 1080p - €100 delivered [Expansys]

Basq

Get a voucher from here and buy it here!

Some great reviews here and here!

Be quick.. voucher's only valid until tomorrow!


Buy from Expansys.com

Combined with a My Passport portable drive)or other USB storage device(sold separately), this player is the most convenient way to play HD movies or user-generated videos, listen to high-quality digital music and show high-resolution slideshows of your family photos on your TV. Also works with popular USB drives, and digital cameras, camcorders, and portable media players that can be recognized as mass storage devices.

Designed for My Passport, works with many other USB storage devices - Play content from most popular USB drives,and digital cameras, camcorders, and portable media players that can be recognized as mass storage devices.

Full HD video playback and navigation - up to 1080p - Experience the spectacular picture quality of HD video and crystal clear sound clarity of digital audio. Use the included remote control to navigate through your entertainment choices using our crisp, animated HD menus.

Collect without limits - There's no limit to the size of your media collection; just add more USB drives for more space.

Advanced navigation
Thumbnail and list views – Browse your content by filename or by thumbnails of photos, album covers and movie cover art.
Media Library – This unique feature lets you view all your media by media type in one menu regardless of its location in folders or drives. You can view your content by categories such as genre, album, artist and date.
Search – Search by genre, title, artist, filename and partial filename.

Photo viewing
Create custom slide shows with a variety of transitions and background music
Zoom and pan
Search by filename, partial filename, most recently viewed and date

Movie viewing
Fast forward, rewind, pause, zoom, and pan
View subtitles
Search by filename, partial filename, most recently viewed and date

Music playback
Fast forward, rewind, pause, shuffle, repeat
Search by filename, partial filename, most recently viewed and date
Access two USB drives simultaneously - Two USB ports on the player let you connect two USB storage devices and access them simultaneously. Our Media Library feature aggregates the content on both drives into one list sorted by media type.
HDMI and composite video connections - The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port lets you connect to the highest quality HDTV or home theater. Additional composite (RCA) outputs ensure compatibility with virtually all television sets.
Includes free media conversion software - ArcSoft MediaConverter™ 2.5 -- a fast, easy-to-use application that converts photo, video, and music files into formats optimized for use on the WD TV HD Media Player.
Ultra-compact design - Fits easily into your entertainment center.
Ideal For
Hassle-free playback of HD movies, home videos, digital music, and photos on your TV.

System Requirements
My Passport portable hard drive or other USB storage device with supported video or audio content stored on it.
Standard or high definition television with HDMI or composite video connections

Package Contents
HD Media Player
Stand for My Passport portable drive
Compact remote with batteries
Media converter software (Windows only)
Composite AV cable
AC adapter
Quick Install Guide

File Formats Supported
Music - MP3, WMA, OGG, WAV/PCM/LPCM, AAC, FLAC, Dolby Digital, AIF/AIFF, MKA
Photo - JPEG, GIF, TIF/TIFF, BMP, PNG
Video -MPEG1/2/4, WMV9, AVI (MPEG4, Xvid, AVC), H.264, MKV, MOV (MPEG4, H.264)
Playlist - PLS, M3U, WPL
Subtitle -SRT (UTF-8)
• External Drive Formats Supported
FAT32, NTFS, HFS+ (no journaling)
• Performance Specifications
Serial Transfer Rate
USB 2.0 Serial Bus Transfer Rate (USB 2.0) 480 Mbits/s (Max)
• Physical Specifications
Capacity N/A
Interface HDMI, Composite A/V, USB 2.0
• Physical Dimensions
English
Height 1.57 Inches (Max)
Length 3.94 Inches (Max)
Width 4.94 Inches (Max)
Weight 0.67 Pounds
Metric
Height 40 mm (Max)
Length 100 mm (Max)
Width 125.5 mm (Max)
Weight 303 g

inforfun

Thanks.... but got 1 already

I can however say it is a great little device.

Vic Vinegar

Savage piece of kit that!

rco2000

Hi can anyone recommend the best hard drive to use with this media player. Also, do you just plug the hard drive into this media player(sorry, I'm not vg with electricals). Tks:)

Vic Vinegar

rco2000 wrote: »

Hi can anyone recommend the best hard drive to use with this media player. Also, do you just plug the hard drive into this media player(sorry, I'm not vg with electricals). Tks:)

One of these would be best

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=354973

It can be got cheaper elsewhere though, it is USB powered, so you just plug it in to the WD box and away you go

rco2000

tks a mil!:)

madmoe

Just ordered mine last week with Komplett and a 1TB WD Elements for the grand total of €184.50. Should I format the Elements 1TB drive with NTFS or leave it as it is?

Cheers,
M

fdegir

madmoe wrote: »

Should I format the Elements 1TB drive with NTFS or leave it as it is?

I think FAT32 has limit on file sizes. (4GB?) Any file bigger than this might have problems.

If you search for media drives on ebay you can get a 1TB "Cyclone HD" off a group called Envizagefor less than €200 delivered. I've got one and it doesn't give me any hassle (though it takes a few hours to get to know the ins and outs of it).


Here it is:

http://cgi.ebay.ie/Cyclone-1TB-HDMI-LAN-Hard-Drive-Media-Player-Recorder_W0QQitemZ250440625113QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_HardDrives_RL?hash=item3a4f6cabd9&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1301|240%3A1308|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50


Seems to be much better value. Don't know about all the specs regarding them and what makes one media drive better than another, but it seems better to me price-wise and I can't imagine there'd be much in the difference.

madmoe

So NTFS is the way to go I think...I have a number of HD movies ready to watch on this and I am pretty sure they are bigger than 4 Gigs.

Cheers,
M

gazzer

Deleted User wrote: »

If you search for media drives on ebay you can get a 1TB "Cyclone HD" off a group called Envizagefor less than €200 delivered. I've got one and it doesn't give me any hassle (though it takes a few hours to get to know the ins and outs of it).


Here it is:

http://cgi.ebay.ie/Cyclone-1TB-HDMI-LAN-Hard-Drive-Media-Player-Recorder_W0QQitemZ250440625113QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_HardDrives_RL?hash=item3a4f6cabd9&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1301|240%3A1308|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50


Seems to be much better value. Don't know about all the specs regarding them and what makes one media drive better than another, but it seems better to me price-wise and I can't imagine there'd be much in the difference.

Does that hard drive play MKV files do you know? I couldnt find any mention of it in the specs.

TakeTheVeil

Doesnt seem to play any mkvs and only plays resolutions up to 1080i

Onikage

TakeTheVeil wrote: »

Doesnt seem to play any mkvs and only plays resolutions up to 1080i

Think it generally plays MKVs but not H.264 streams in an MKV. The reviews say it does 1080p.

mise

I've put through an order for this.. received order confirmation, paid through paypal totalling £82.52.

There was a note on the traking order saying more info was required to complete the order. Emailed them to find out what was required. Received an automated paypal email looking for another £5.23.

Anyone else get this? I've emailed them again to find out why this is.

Onikage

Sounds like the difference between Irish and British VAT.

Basq

mise wrote: »

Anyone else get this? I've emailed them again to find out why this is.

Yep.. got it too..

Onikage wrote: »

Sounds like the difference between Irish and British VAT.

...and that's what I thought.

I did account for this in the thread title.

Final amount I paid: £85.80 so about €101 actually..

mise

Thanks for the replies.. The email from Paypal didnt mention anywhere what it was for, but it shows up on the expansys confirmation email. Not sure how I managed to pay £87.75.. ah well

edit: perhaps the next day courier

hughes2558

Its £77 on amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/Western-Digital-1080P-Media-Player/dp/B001ILFDCK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1246289606&sr=8-1
Delivery is probably about £5 too but still should work out cheaper.

Basq

mise wrote: »

edit: perhaps the next day courier

Yep.. that'd be it. That's selected by default AFAIK.

mise

hughes2558 wrote: »

Its £77 on amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/Western-Digital-1080P-Media-Player/dp/B001ILFDCK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1246289606&sr=8-1
Delivery is probably about £5 too but still should work out cheaper.

It seems to work out slightly cheaper on expansys, if you don't go for the next day courier service.

Total I got was £86.54 on amazon

Basq

I did check the price on Amazon before I posted this.. didn't anticipate the VAT different but still cheaper from Expansys.

Voodu Child

The WD HD TV is €89 on Komplett. €12 postage or collect it for free (until 19th Jul) at their Dublin pick-up point.

So €100 isn't really a bargain, just a fairly normal price. Great gizmo though, recommend it highly.

Basq

Voodu Child wrote: »

The WD HD TV is €89 on Komplett. €12 postage or collect it for free (until 19th Jul) at their Dublin pick-up point.

So €100 isn't really a bargain, just a fairly normal price. Great gizmo though, recommend it highly.

Was unaware it was so cheap at Komplett.. it's always the last place I check!

Snaga

Anyone tried using this with a USB hub to connect more drives?

Voodu Child

Was unaware it was so cheap at Komplett.. it's always the last place I check!

Ah, wherever you get it from, you can't go wrong at anywhere around 100 quid. Its a great little gadget for the money.

Anyone tried using this with a USB hub to connect more drives?

Havent tried, but there's 2 USB ports so havent really needed to.

Basq

Just bought a supported WiFi dongle for it on Ebay for €10.

With the addition of network support, a bit-torrent client, Rapidshare downloads, a Web Interface, DVD-ROM playback and CIFS/SAMBA/Windows Shares or NFS (all with a custom firmware) - this is kicking the Popcorn Hour's ass at half the price!

doyler442

basquille wrote: »

Just bought a supported WiFi dongle for it on Ebay for €10.

With the addition of network support, a bit-torrent client, Rapidshare downloads, a Web Interface, DVD-ROM playback and CIFS/SAMBA/Windows Shares or NFS (all with a custom firmware) - this is kicking the Popcorn Hour's ass at half the price!

Any chance you could give me a quick guide on how this is done, or a link to a website with a walkthrough? Can't even find the dongle on Ebay.

WellyJ

I ordered this for 101,50 from Komplett last week, delivered in 2 days.

Nice piece of kit, saves me streaming to my PS3/Xbox360

Soarer

Pardon my ignorance, but is it possible to record in HD onto this yoke? What I'm thinking is throwing my BD's onto it, and (hopefully) being able to watch it losslessly.

Also, it's "only" external HDD's/USB's can be connected yeah?

Catch_22

basquille wrote: »

Just bought a supported WiFi dongle for it on Ebay for €10.

With the addition of network support, a bit-torrent client, Rapidshare downloads, a Web Interface, DVD-ROM playback and CIFS/SAMBA/Windows Shares or NFS (all with a custom firmware) - this is kicking the Popcorn Hour's ass at half the price!

hmm didnt realise this was possible with the WD, have you got a link to the supported wifi dongle on ebay ?

Basq

doyler442 wrote: »

Any chance you could give me a quick guide on how this is done, or a link to a website with a walkthrough? Can't even find the dongle on Ebay.

Link

Soarer wrote: »

Pardon my ignorance, but is it possible to record in HD onto this yoke? What I'm thinking is throwing my BD's onto it, and (hopefully) being able to watch it losslessly.

Also, it's "only" external HDD's/USB's can be connected yeah?

Recording's not possible. You can "throw" your BD's onto it as an ISO and it'll play them. Only external HDD's AFAIK - unless you got an enclosure etc.

Catch_22 wrote: »

hmm didnt realise this was possible with the WD, have you got a link to the supported wifi dongle on ebay ?

The above link has a list of supported WiFi Dongles. This is included: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130315488645&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:GB:1123

inforfun

For al lthe info about how to make that thing wireless networkable (is this even close to English...?)

http://wdtvforum.com/main/

Also the source for the latest firmware (official and modified ones) and special request WD might consider implementing in later firmware versions.

Soarer

basquille wrote:

Recording's not possible. You can "throw" your BD's onto it as an ISO and it'll play them. Only external HDD's AFAIK - unless you got an enclosure etc.

So I create an iso of my BD, drop it onto the external HDD, connect via USB, and play through this yoke?

Not too up on these type things.

Basq

Soarer wrote: »

So I create an iso of my BD, drop it onto the external HDD, connect via USB, and play through this yoke?

Yep.. that's exactly it.

madmoe

Hey guys,

<SNIP>

Cheers,
M

MOD EDIT: You've been here long enough madmoe to realise requesting links to copyrighted content is a no-no sitewide on Boards.ie!

WellyJ

madmoe wrote: »

Hey guys,
<SNIP>

Cheers,
M

Down with this sort of thing!

Buy them.

madmoe

Soz......

orchidsrpretty

Will this play DivX?

Basq

orchidsrpretty wrote: »

Will this play DivX?

Yes.. and more!

Music - MP3, WMA, OGG, WAV/PCM/LPCM, AAC, FLAC, Dolby Digital, AIF/AIFF, MKA
Photo - JPEG, GIF, TIF/TIFF, BMP, PNG
Video -MPEG1/2/4, WMV9, AVI (MPEG4, Xvid, AVC), H.264, MKV, MOV (MPEG4, H.264)

That's like asking "can I play Solitare on this high-spec PC?"

Scruff

Nice little device. Was thinking of buying one but i'm going to hold out a couple of weeks and see how these new devices turn out:

http://xtreamer.net/
http://www.playonhd.com/info.php

+ internal HD support
+ lan port
+ Nas functionality
+ Streaming web services like YouTube
+ 1080p

KrustyUCC

Has anybody tried to use this with just the Composite A/V cable? getting mixed reviews on how good this is without HDMI. Have a 1TB external hard drive and 32 inch tv so this would seem to suit my needs very well

delly

Folks, i'd just like to say that this piece of kit is the dogs bollix!

I have it about 6 months or so now and combined with a WD passport drive I have watched tonnes of videos of varying formats without the player once not being able too.

For the price I really don't think you'll get better out there, espcially as its proven itself in the market and has continuing official and unofficial firmware updates.

/EDIT Krusty, I only use A/V cables as the TV I have it connected too doesn't have HDMI.

Wolff

Have to agree with other posters here - this is a great device - for the price

I had one, but also have a far more expensive Dvico Tvix 6500 - the quality was the same from both - but the WD struggled to play certain 1080p files
- quite a lot of them

Also lacked a lot of features on the Tvix - but again for the money its a great buy - very quiet too

blastman

Just ordered one from Komplett, have been hmming and hawing about buying this little gadget for a while now, but the reports on here (and the Komplett alert) finally swayed me. Cheers lads.

Voodu Child

KrustyUCC wrote: »

Has anybody tried to use this with just the Composite A/V cable? getting mixed reviews on how good this is without HDMI. Have a 1TB external hard drive and 32 inch tv so this would seem to suit my needs very well

Composite cables into a SD TV works fine. The menu text is a little blurry but that is to be expected with SD resolutions.

KrustyUCC

Thanks for the info folks. Think ye have convinced me to invest in one of these

doyler442

basquille wrote: »

Link

Cheers for this, must just save 100e now, definitely seems worth the purchase

JayKay

Just a heads up. I bought one of these today. I selected the Delivery to Ireland option and yet they still contacted me less than an hour later with an additional charge of 5.23 GBP for "underpayment for delivery to Ireland".

askitnice

now 73.25 on komplett.. ah ex vat.... have an account soz

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=408560

cheers

Scruff

no it isnt. check your link :rolleyes:

Basq

askitnice wrote: »

now 73.25 on komplett..

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=408560

cheers

Still showing as €89 for me.