Western Digital HD Media Player 1080P

wiseoracle · 11/05/2008, 07:08 PM

I am seriously thinking of buying one of these soon.

If you're like myself and download a lot of video files off the net, whether they are full episodes, movie trailers, etc... you wished you could watch it without having to build a HTPC to do that task.

MaddHat.com Blog Archive New WD Media Player Reviewed, Stripped Naked

This guy has a review of it, and it looks to play just about every format out there without any problems.

BB has it for 99 bux and that is a steal.

tracer bullet · 11/05/2008, 07:37 PM

So... You have this, and an external hard drive. You run HDMI (and possibly optical, depending on your setup) to your TV. You grab the remote control and you play stuff, and that's that?

Wow. I don't mean that sarcastically either. My HTPC can do a lot more, sure, but I don't use it to do anything except play stuff that I've imported from elsewhere. Methinks if my HTPC ever dies, it's getting replaced with this.

I wonder if a version 2 would add a network jack? That'd be killer.

steadly2004 · 11/05/2008, 07:45 PM

Looks pretty cool, although I usually just use the PS3 to watch mpeg's and such

FLiPMaRC · 11/06/2008, 08:23 AM

The price is also not bad. I have HDMI running from my desktop to my HDTV in my bedroom, but if I wanted to watch a movie on my home theater in my living room, I still need to burn stuff on to DVD. This looks promising

Bro'Man · 11/06/2008, 09:14 AM

Wow. This could work for me. My buddies and I have been pooling our media and that equals about 2 terabytes. We were going to try to setup a multihouse streaming media center but it was proving tricky. I was thinking about just buying some extra hard drives and copying them. This would be an easy solution to displaying it.

Jeremy · 11/06/2008, 09:44 AM

No HD audio.

wiseoracle · 11/06/2008, 02:22 PM

I totally agree, an HTPC would run circles around this device.

But for the pure simplicity of this device is undeniable. Just load up all your DVD rips or hell Blu-Ray rips on a big cheap 1TB HD, and you got a sweet setup.

This works real nice for people who download subbed Anime shows, as a lot of them are in MKV file format.

I would only assume more features and updates would be added with a future firmware update.

Only reason there isn't a networking feature on this device is simply get people to buy the WD HD to go with it, but you are not limited to that brand obviously, but it's the idea.

It does do audio pass through HDMI, but it doesn't do the True-DD, DTS-HD unfortunately.... or yet. But it will do DD & DTS.

I do wonder if someone out there will hack it to do more things?

Tim · 11/06/2008, 02:59 PM

I just got an HDMI to DVI cable for my MBP. $15 done.

Jeremy · 11/06/2008, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim

I just got an HDMI to DVI cable for my MBP. $15 done.

Don't forget about a miniplug spdif to optical cable.

I run Plex on my MacBook Pro.

Bro'Man · 11/10/2008, 04:58 PM

I'm using this now on my television and it is playing everything I have tested so far. Unfortunately it isn't play the subtitles on some of my mkv anime. Other than that I am happy. There may be a way to get the subtitles to show up with a little modification but as the file currently exists the subtitles won't show.

Oh and it seems to have ignored the folder organization and just shows an alphabetical listing of my shows. So instead of going Dexter > Dexter Season 1 > Dexter Episode 1 it is just a huge list of whatever is on the hard drive.

Sh4d0wX7 · 11/10/2008, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy

No HD audio.

At least it's digital, somewhat.

This looks cool, but I doubt I'll be getting one. If I had some spare change, then maybe.

Bro'Man · 11/10/2008, 10:00 PM

Update: Found where I can keep my file original file organization.

wiseoracle · 11/10/2008, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bro'Man

Update: Found where I can keep my file original file organization.

? Did you end up purchasing this? If so, throw up a review and some pictures.

Bro'Man · 11/10/2008, 11:13 PM

I had a $20 gift card to Best Buy so I picked it up. I am using HDMI for video output and optical cable for audio output.

Basic Setup

Main Menu

Folder Files

Dexter HD

The Shield

wiseoracle · 11/11/2008, 10:13 AM

Nice! Now you just need to clean that wiring mess you got back there.

Bro'Man · 11/11/2008, 10:22 AM

Nope. Realistically, the wires will stay a mess. My receiver has an issue with video over HDMI so I have to run HDMI cables directly to the TV and optical cables to the receiver (WD HD, PS3, etc). Less than optimal, combined with a crappy television stand (some more expensive models have wire routing systems, or I could wall mount the tv and route all the wires through the wall), various USB extenders to charge bluetooth headsets, videogame controllers, 360/PS3/Receiver/laptop/tv/power cord, all the speaker wire, and my general laziness = mess. I could also dust but I probably won't.

nooficial · 11/19/2008, 06:46 AM

Hello.

For the images I've seen, do not show the covers of the movies on the menu? I'm interested to see the menu to see who is thinking about the limitations of cd cover art and videos. I do not expect a Coverflow, but something decent .....

thank you very much,

can post pictures of the menu with cover art ?

nooficial · 11/19/2008, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nooficial

Hello.

For the images I've seen, do not show the covers of the movies on the menu? I'm interested to see the menu to see who is thinking about the limitations of cd cover art and videos. I do not expect a Coverflow, but something decent .....

thank you very much,

can post pictures of the menu with cover art ?

Bro'Man · 11/19/2008, 08:00 AM

I'll mess around with it a little more and see if I can get it to show some cover art.

11/05/2008, 07:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
wiseoracle Super Asian Invasion Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Manhattan, KS Vehicle: Dodge Stratus R/T Posts: 2,354	Western Digital HD Media Player 1080P I am seriously thinking of buying one of these soon. If you're like myself and download a lot of video files off the net, whether they are full episodes, movie trailers, etc... you wished you could watch it without having to build a HTPC to do that task. MaddHat.com Blog Archive New WD Media Player Reviewed, Stripped Naked This guy has a review of it, and it looks to play just about every format out there without any problems. BB has it for 99 bux and that is a steal.

11/10/2008, 04:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
Bro'Man 08/05/2008 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Pendleton, IN Vehicle: 2000 Eclipse GT Posts: 5,091	I'm using this now on my television and it is playing everything I have tested so far. Unfortunately it isn't play the subtitles on some of my mkv anime. Other than that I am happy. There may be a way to get the subtitles to show up with a little modification but as the file currently exists the subtitles won't show. Oh and it seems to have ignored the folder organization and just shows an alphabetical listing of my shows. So instead of going Dexter > Dexter Season 1 > Dexter Episode 1 it is just a huge list of whatever is on the hard drive. Last edited by Bro'Man; 11/10/2008 at 05:01 PM.

11/10/2008, 11:13 PM	#14 (permalink)
Bro'Man 08/05/2008 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Pendleton, IN Vehicle: 2000 Eclipse GT Posts: 5,091	I had a $20 gift card to Best Buy so I picked it up. I am using HDMI for video output and optical cable for audio output. Basic Setup Main Menu Folder Files Dexter HD The Shield Last edited by Bro'Man; 11/10/2008 at 11:32 PM.

11/11/2008, 10:22 AM	#16 (permalink)
Bro'Man 08/05/2008 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Pendleton, IN Vehicle: 2000 Eclipse GT Posts: 5,091	Nope. Realistically, the wires will stay a mess. My receiver has an issue with video over HDMI so I have to run HDMI cables directly to the TV and optical cables to the receiver (WD HD, PS3, etc). Less than optimal, combined with a crappy television stand (some more expensive models have wire routing systems, or I could wall mount the tv and route all the wires through the wall), various USB extenders to charge bluetooth headsets, videogame controllers, 360/PS3/Receiver/laptop/tv/power cord, all the speaker wire, and my general laziness = mess. I could also dust but I probably won't. Last edited by Bro'Man; 11/11/2008 at 10:29 AM.

11/05/2008, 07:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
tracer bullet Spring King Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: St. Paul, MN Vehicle: 01 GT PP Posts: 3,392	So... You have this, and an external hard drive. You run HDMI (and possibly optical, depending on your setup) to your TV. You grab the remote control and you play stuff, and that's that? Wow. I don't mean that sarcastically either. My HTPC can do a lot more, sure, but I don't use it to do anything except play stuff that I've imported from elsewhere. Methinks if my HTPC ever dies, it's getting replaced with this. I wonder if a version 2 would add a network jack? That'd be killer.

11/05/2008, 07:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
steadly2004 Boosted Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lincolnton, NC Vehicle: Stratus 2.4L Posts: 3,757	Looks pretty cool, although I usually just use the PS3 to watch mpeg's and such

11/06/2008, 08:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
FLiPMaRC You know how I know Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: NJ Vehicle: 2001 Silver GS Posts: 26,342	The price is also not bad. I have HDMI running from my desktop to my HDTV in my bedroom, but if I wanted to watch a movie on my home theater in my living room, I still need to burn stuff on to DVD. This looks promising

11/06/2008, 09:14 AM	#5 (permalink)
Bro'Man 08/05/2008 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Pendleton, IN Vehicle: 2000 Eclipse GT Posts: 5,091	Wow. This could work for me. My buddies and I have been pooling our media and that equals about 2 terabytes. We were going to try to setup a multihouse streaming media center but it was proving tricky. I was thinking about just buying some extra hard drives and copying them. This would be an easy solution to displaying it.

11/06/2008, 09:44 AM	#6 (permalink)
Jeremy I do not approve. Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Ft. Collins, CO Vehicle: 1998 Eclipse GS-T Posts: 11,419	No HD audio.

11/06/2008, 02:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
wiseoracle Super Asian Invasion Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Manhattan, KS Vehicle: Dodge Stratus R/T Posts: 2,354	I totally agree, an HTPC would run circles around this device. But for the pure simplicity of this device is undeniable. Just load up all your DVD rips or hell Blu-Ray rips on a big cheap 1TB HD, and you got a sweet setup. This works real nice for people who download subbed Anime shows, as a lot of them are in MKV file format. I would only assume more features and updates would be added with a future firmware update. Only reason there isn't a networking feature on this device is simply get people to buy the WD HD to go with it, but you are not limited to that brand obviously, but it's the idea. It does do audio pass through HDMI, but it doesn't do the True-DD, DTS-HD unfortunately.... or yet. But it will do DD & DTS. I do wonder if someone out there will hack it to do more things?

11/06/2008, 02:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tim Gold Calipers Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Indy Vehicle: 09 Impreza Posts: 9,209	I just got an HDMI to DVI cable for my MBP. $15 done.

11/10/2008, 10:00 PM	#12 (permalink)
Bro'Man 08/05/2008 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Pendleton, IN Vehicle: 2000 Eclipse GT Posts: 5,091	Update: Found where I can keep my file original file organization.

11/11/2008, 10:13 AM	#15 (permalink)
wiseoracle Super Asian Invasion Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Manhattan, KS Vehicle: Dodge Stratus R/T Posts: 2,354	Nice! Now you just need to clean that wiring mess you got back there.

11/19/2008, 06:46 AM	#17 (permalink)
nooficial Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2	Hello. For the images I've seen, do not show the covers of the movies on the menu? I'm interested to see the menu to see who is thinking about the limitations of cd cover art and videos. I do not expect a Coverflow, but something decent ..... thank you very much, can post pictures of the menu with cover art ?

11/19/2008, 08:00 AM	#19 (permalink)
Bro'Man 08/05/2008 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Pendleton, IN Vehicle: 2000 Eclipse GT Posts: 5,091	I'll mess around with it a little more and see if I can get it to show some cover art.