WDTV Live Media Player Interface Review (WDTV2 - 2nd Generation WDTV)

My WDTV Live Media player (WDTV2) Review

I bought this drive for $130 after tax from Best Buy. I also have the first generation WDTV which I loved but with no network support I only had a use for it in my living room that was always next to my dads computer.

With a range of supported video formats I believe for the price the WDTV Live is the best network attached player you can get on the market today. The WDTV Live is pretty much the same as the WDTV except that it also has a network connection, wireless support, Dolby Digital and DTS decoders (Downgrade to 2.0), HDMI 1.3, and also some GUI changes and enhancements.

For the price, it really is a great player for users like me who don't want to spend much money on a media player but wants some great features. WD did a great job on WDTV series and I hope WD will continue to support this player and make it even better.

As I started in the video I've had some problems with network shares. Here is a guide I used to fix the network shares problem in Windows 7: http://www.mede8erforum.com/index.php?topic=64.msg217#msg217.

If you have any questions, please feel free to post in the comments and I'll reply the best as I can.

Specs:

-Play Full HD 1080p video, music and photos on your HD TV
-Supports widest variety of file formats and devices
-Network capable for easy access to the newest content from PCs, network drives, internet favorites
Kit Contents
-Media Player
-Compact remote with batteries
-Composite AV cable
-Component AV cable
-AC adapter
-Quick Install Guide

Compatibility
HDMI, Full HD (1080p), AAC, MP3, JPEG, USB 2.0, H.264, SimplayHD™, Energy Star®, Dolby Digital, DTS,
DLNA, Bonjour, AVCHD, Windows Vista

Media Formats
AVI (Xvid, AVC, MPEG1/2/4), MPG/MPEG, MKV (h.264, x.264, AVC, MPEG1/2/4, VC-1),
TS/TP/M2T (MPEG1/2/4, AVC, VC-1) MP4/MOV (MPEG4, h.264), M2TS, WMV9
JPEG, GIF, TIFF, BMP, PNG
MP3, WAV/PCM/LPCM, WMA, AAC, FLAC, MKA, AIF/AIFF, OGG, Dolby Digital, DTS
Playlist PLS, M3U, WPL

Subtitle SRT, ASS, SSA, SUB, SMI

MPEG2 MP@HL up to 1920x1080p24, 1920x1080i30, or 1280x720p60 resolution. MPEG4.2 ASP@L5 up to
1280x720p30 resolution and no support for global motion compensation. WMV9/VC-1 MP@HL up to 1280x720p60
or 1920x1080p24 resolution. VC-1 AP@L3 up to 1920x1080i30, 1920x1080p24, or 1280x720p60 resolution.
H.264 BP@L3 up to 720x480p30 or 720x576p25 resolution. H.264 MP@4.1 and HP@4.1 up to 1920x1080p24,
1920x1080i30, or 1280x720p60 resolution.
An audio receiver is required for multi-channel surround sound digital output. Compressed RGB JPEG formats only
and progressive JPEG up to 2048x2048.
Single layer TIFF files only. Uncompressed BMP only. Specific details, please refer to the user manual

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• WDTV
• WDTV2
• WDTV Live
• Review
• Media Player
• Interface
• Demo
• YouTube
• Flickr
• Pandora
• Live365
• Networked

[CyanidePrinceX]

I got this last week. My MKV files have been an issue. The video, subtitles work fine, but the audio lags to the point the video is completely unwatchable. I've tried to find a solution to this problem, but so far, none as come up other than to return the media player back.

If it says it supports MKV, it freakin' should! I should be able to watch MKV files with no issues at all. It's the only reason I brought the player, so I wouldn't have to relentlessly convert mkv to avi. :(

[acIdrain1983]

@CyanidePrinceX I have consitant issues with the way some MKV (*cough* usenet *cough*) files play on the WDTV. I fix it by running a program called PopCorn Audio Converter. I just remux the file with that converter and it fixes it. Something to do with the way someone muxes the file in the first place that makes it almost unusable on the WDTV. Just mux every movie you wanna play and it will fix it.

[CyanidePrinceX]

@acIdrain1983 I just did one episode, checked it and FUCK YEAH! It works like a charm! Thanks! :D

[acIdrain1983]

@CyanidePrinceX I'm glad it worked!

[yopepoy]

will it play 5.1 AAC audio(6ch) in mp4 container?

[acIdrain1983]

@yopepoy Yes it will.

[PodeCoet]

You've sold me, I'm buying one now!

[acIdrain1983]

@sonder5 Yes, I've turned them on before ... It works as expected.

[sonder5]

@acIdrain1983 Nice. What about subtitles then? Will it work?

[acIdrain1983]

@sonder5 Yes, It can play DVD ISO's, it just skips to the main movie, no menu.