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

bert911 · 04-07-2009 02:02AM

Helpfull forum for WD media player .... www.wdtvforum.com

nitromaster · 04-07-2009 03:25AM

Hi
Just came across this topic randomly, wishing I didn't now :pac:
Was looking for a hard drive anyway, up until now I'd use my xbox 360 + burned DVDs to play back movies in avi format when needed. Of course this wasn't the best thing ever. (Especially when the xbox decided it didn't want to play back files it should have been able to, and taking a number of restarts/disc opens/closes, to get it going at times)

Looks to be the perfect solution this.
Reading through the thread, I should go for
https://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=408560
and
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=354973
both from komplett, yeah?

And would there be any major (or any) problems having a folder/section/partition dedicated to non media stuff like files?

Thanks

golfbgud · 05-07-2009 12:22PM

Ordered mine from KOMPLETT and should have it on Monday afternoon. Looking forward to playing around with it over the next few weeks. Ordered a 1TB drive to go with it.

Family wont know themselves!

Sharp · 05-07-2009 12:53PM

Only 8 left on Komplett.

Voodu Child · 05-07-2009 05:58PM

nitromaster wrote: »

Reading through the thread, I should go for
https://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=408560
and
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=354973
both from komplett, yeah?

And would there be any major (or any) problems having a folder/section/partition dedicated to non media stuff like files?

Thanks

For an extra €9 you'd get the 500GB version of that drive instead of 320GB. That's a better buy imo.

Also, yeah, there shouldn't be any problem using a drive with non-media folders. Just be aware that it'll scan all folders for media content (unless you set the option to tell it not to), so it might slow the drive down if you've tonnes of other stuff.

markfla · 05-07-2009 06:06PM

I have my WD HD Tv for about 3 months now and have to say it's the biz, the 500GB WD passport drive is so handy as I used to have to plug in the power to the older chunkier HDDs. Highly recommended.

Thargor · 05-07-2009 07:46PM

Is there such a thing as a 1Tb drive that doesnt require a plug like those WD passports does anyone know?

hughes2558 · 05-07-2009 08:12PM

I have been thinking about purchasing this but then saw the popcorn hour http://www.amazon.co.uk/Popcorn-Hour-HD-Networked-Media/dp/B001OG7WGE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1246820865&sr=8-1
My question is what does the popcorn hour offer me that the wd tv doesnt. One thing I know it has is network capabilities but I dont think thats any use to me as my only internet is the 02 usb internet. Does it offer anything else that justifies the price difference

steamboat · 05-07-2009 08:14PM

Today's boffer is a pretty tempting alternative to the WDTV...

EMTEC 500GB Movie Cube

£79 (+delivery)... not bad considering its 500GB capacity (and can support external HDD also)

Can record from TV also. Only HD output is via component out however (no HDMI) @1080i

manual here

forpaddyde · 05-07-2009 08:19PM

Anybody try the Xtreamer?

BArra · 05-07-2009 09:16PM

whats the WD like when playing mkv's that are 1080p 6GB-10GB and above in filesize?

ive read a few comments saying its blocky and it breaks up as it cant handle the filesize?

anyone have any experience with this ?

TakeTheVeil · 06-07-2009 08:21AM

BArra wrote: »

whats the WD like when playing mkv's that are 1080p 6GB-10GB and above in filesize?

ive read a few comments saying its blocky and it breaks up as it cant handle the filesize?

anyone have any experience with this ?

No, not at all. Nearly all my video files are in that format and size

JAMM222 · 06-07-2009 09:47AM

ordered one from expansys uk yesterday, its been shipped already will hopefully have it tomorrow! my card got charged twice, the bank are looking into it at the moment just in case anyone else was charged twice in error!

Ghost Train · 06-07-2009 09:48AM

forpaddyde wrote: »

Anybody try the Xtreamer?

only just released... first users still awaiting delivery, so not in stock at the moment

will be interesting to see how it turns out, on paper it looks perfect, but would wait to see what impression it makes and how the first people who bought it get on with it.

some people have even suggested its some sort of scam... looks above board though and I'm wait for some user reviews

Basq · 06-07-2009 09:49AM

JAMM222 wrote: »

ordered one from expansys uk yesterday, its been shipped already will hopefully have it tomorrow! my card got charged twice, the bank are looking into it at the moment just in case anyone else was charged twice in error!

My card was charged twice.. but it was the money for the media device first, then the VAT difference from Expansys. Not abnormal I'd imagine!

My media drive arrived on Friday but wasn't at home to collect it.. god forbid DHL ring me (Expansys had my number). It's a good thing that the DHL depot is literally around the corner from my work. Still, would have liked it for the weekend. Have to collect it today.

JAMM222 · 06-07-2009 09:54AM

mine was charged the same amount twice 109 euro i used a laser card! im sure it will be fine! looking forward to getting it! whats the jazz with the wifi dongle any good prices on the compatible ones?

Basq · 06-07-2009 09:55AM

JAMM222 wrote: »

mine was charged the same amount twice 109 euro i used a laser card! im sure it will be fine!

Ouch.. definitely a mess-up on their part so!

JAMM222 wrote: »

whats the jazz with the wifi dongle any good prices on the compatible ones?

On about page 3 or 4.. I linked to a compatible one for a tenner delivered on eBay.

... here: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130315488645&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:GB:1123

JAMM222 · 06-07-2009 10:01AM

nice one ill order one of those as well!

dubmick · 06-07-2009 11:04AM

Do avi's play ok using the composite A/V? I'm not sure if my tv has a hdmi connection.

It's a LG 32" LCD that is nearly four years old.

Basq · 06-07-2009 11:06AM

dubmick wrote: »

Do avi's play ok using the composite A/V? I'm not sure if my tv has a hdmi connection.

Yeah, it'll play fine.

JAMM222 · 06-07-2009 11:25AM

anyone know a bricks and morter store that i could pick up a cheap hdmi cable around dublin city centre?

Ron DMC · 06-07-2009 11:28AM

JAMM222 wrote: »

anyone know a bricks and morter store that i could pick up a cheap hdmi cable around dublin city centre?

Argos, Peats, Maplin.

You'll get a mad range of prices for hdmi cables though depending on length, whether or not it's made of gold etc.
Probably anywhere in the range of €10-€120.

Basq · 06-07-2009 11:30AM

Yep.. don't be lured into Curry's / Dixon's trap of "this €70 cable will invigorate your viewing experience and unlike other HDMI cables, it will not try to impregnate your cat"! :pac:

This'll do the job quite nicely!

he man rugger · 06-07-2009 11:45AM

Got it there about two hours ago, great little gadget. Just one question, some videos I have don't seem to automatically fit to screen and I'm left with two big black margins on both sides of the screen, I know you can fit photos to screen but can you do it with movies? Thanks in advance!

JAMM222 · 06-07-2009 11:45AM

cheers lads argos will do the trick

Medic_Man · 06-07-2009 11:49AM

I've had the WD TV for a few months now, got it off amazon at less than €100 delivered. I agree with the posts saying you must update the firmware and not just run out of the box. I convert my dvds/BRs to Digital because I'm traveling a lot between two places, and the discs are too bulky, so this was great for me.

My only disapointment is the fast-forward/rewind, it really needs a jump to option for non mkv media. Also it gets very hot, so make sure it has lots of air around it and not ontop of another electric item (this includes when you think it's turned off, I unplug mine when not using it).

Other than that, It's played everything I've thrown at it and I'm using it between my home cinema(projector) and my 50" HD LCD, and I'm really happy with it. Small enough to be brought on holidays, or swap between locations easily.

To answer:

JAMM222 wrote: »

anyone know a bricks and morter store that i could pick up a cheap hdmi cable around dublin city centre?

I found a 2m HDMI cable in Game for €12, appears the exact same as a "branded" €40 cable (I tried and returned) in quality. This little device really does need the HDMI out for best viewing (but thats same of all tech).

Hope this helps,

Basq · 06-07-2009 11:53AM

he man rugger wrote: »

Got it there about two hours ago, great little gadget. Just one question, some videos I have don't seem to automatically fit to screen and I'm left with two big black margins on both sides of the screen, I know you can fit photos to screen but can you do it with movies? Thanks in advance!

Most blockbuster movies don't have 16:9 aspect ratio but 2.35:1 (21:9). This means that with the correct aspect ratio you will still have black bars at the top and bottom of your screen.

You might be able to zoom in and crop off the black bars.. but in turn, you'll cut off some of the left and right also.

WEST · 06-07-2009 11:57AM

he man rugger wrote: »

Got it there about two hours ago, great little gadget. Just one question, some videos I have don't seem to automatically fit to screen and I'm left with two big black margins on both sides of the screen, I know you can fit photos to screen but can you do it with movies? Thanks in advance!

If you orginal video has an apsect ratio of 4:3 go to the options for screen setup and select NORMAL instead of WIDESCREEN, any 4:3 videos should then fill the screen. Hopefully in a future firmware release, a option to switch between 4:3 and 16:9 will be available while watching a video.

he man rugger · 06-07-2009 11:58AM

basquille wrote: »

Most blockbuster movies don't have 16:9 aspect ratio but 2.35:1 (21:9). This means that with the correct aspect ratio you will still have black bars at the top and bottom of your screen.

You might be able to zoom in and crop off the black bars.. but in turn, you'll cut off some of the left and right also.

So no simple "fit to screen" button I was missing? Slightly surprising as it'd add alot to the device, the xbox 360 has such an option and will fit any video to screen no matter what the ratio. Hopefully it'll show up in later updates, most movies I have on the HD look great as they obviously have a 16:9 ratio while most tv shows don't look too great because they're 21:9.

Thanks anyway.

he man rugger · 06-07-2009 12:00PM

WEST wrote: »

If you orginal video has an apsect ratio of 4:3 go to the options for screen setup and select NORMAL instead of WIDESCREEN, any 4:3 videos should then fill the screen. Hopefully in a future firmware release, a option to switch between 4:3 and 16:9 will be available while watching a video.

Great, thanks for that.

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

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