HDMI cable and WD TV Live device

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › HDMI cable and WD TV Live device - several questions

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richms

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#309919 22-Mar-2010 19:56

These are warez scene divx files - no chance of DRM in them.

After resaving them they are somewhat different in gspot - I CBF figuring it out. Its all HD coming down now so the few old avi's can get fixed as needed since it takes about 2 mins to do them.

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geekIT

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#310010 22-Mar-2010 23:24

Aha. I'm beginning to get the picture (as it were).

So a file of that type (scene divx) will happily squirt along an HDMI cable without triggering any alerts that might block the transmission?

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trig42

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#310178 23-Mar-2010 12:39

I have a WDTV HD Live. Connected via HDMI to TV and Optical to Audio system. Never had any issues with HD content. Plays 1080 and 720 content no worries.

I think you'd find there would be an issue if the box could record (ie., it would not let you record HD content), but as the WD doesn't record, it's not an issue.

richms

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#310232 23-Mar-2010 14:25

geekIT: Aha. I'm beginning to get the picture (as it were).

So a file of that type (scene divx) will happily squirt along an HDMI cable without triggering any alerts that might block the transmission?

Yes, it just seems that some have some whackey header or something that it doesnt like.

no worries on other stuff, but it doesnt seem to want to do both 50 and 60hz output depending on media which kinda sucks.

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#310236 23-Mar-2010 14:27

Thanks Trig42. Interesting. I'm curious as to why you'd use the optical output as well as HDMI? I understood HDMI includes video and audio. Or do you just to feed a separate audio system by that means?

On the subject of HDMI and branding, I've noticed that several manuals say "Always use an HDMI cable that bears the HDMI logo". I checked the (possibly faulty) HDMI cable that I've referred to above, and it has no logo. So I started doing a bit of research. The official specifications for the HDMI logo can be found here: http://www.hdmi.org/. (Hit the 'Download Logo Guidelines>' button to grab a copy of the PDF).

This legalistically phrased document is interesting. In part, it says:
"Other than removing the underlying type (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) and trademark symbol due to size limitations (as described below under “Size”), you may not alter the Adopted Trademarks in any way, including but not limited to: outlining, rotating, skewing, or stretching. You may not reproduce the mark three-dimensionally, or add a drop-shadow or texture fill to any element of the mark. Except as expressly authorized herein, the logo, underlying type, and trademark symbol are always used together, with the mark elements holding the exact size, aspect ratios, and positionrelationships as shown in this document".

I take this to mean that, as long as a user\manufacturer displays the big 'HDMI' characters, they don't need to incorporate the underlying wording 'High-Definition Multimedia Interface' or the 'T' for trademark. However, it later goes on to say:
"1.1.1 The HDMI Logo Adopters are not required to use the HDMI Logo. However, in order to encourage the use of the HDMI Logo, you will receive......" (description of incentive)

Which seems to say that Adopters (users and manufacturers) DON'T need to use the logo.

Confused? Me too :-)

Here's the HDMI logo:

https://cdn.geekzone.co.nz/imagessubs/blogf3483a60a451f06d0a70b593f654e990.jpg

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richms

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#310246 23-Mar-2010 14:46

HDMI doesnt like 44.1kHz stuff in all the tests I have done, and without an onboard DTS decoder optical is the only way to get a DTS bitstream into your reciever.

Have to do it on my PC so I can play audio bit accurate and have the DTS disc rips playback ok.

Richard rich.ms

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Bolly

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#310584 24-Mar-2010 09:38

geekIT: Thanks again guys, good calls all. I'll check the WD output settings (after connecting by composite lol).

Did you get it working? I'm pretty sure your model of TV can't accept a 1080P input, so buy changing the output mode on your player to 1080i or below it should work fine?

geekIT

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#310749 24-Mar-2010 14:16

Thanks Bolly but I don't think there's any choice of 1080 flavour in the Media Player HDMI config. It just seems to offer Composite or HDMI.
BTW, there are two generations of WD TVLive Media Players, gen1 and gen 2. Mine's gen2, which is apparently the most recent.

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trig42

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#311226 25-Mar-2010 12:06

I use an optical cable because my receiver does not have HDMI inputs, but does have digital inputs for every function. It then does DTS/DD5.1/PCM automatically depending on source.

geekIT

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#311366 25-Mar-2010 17:35

Success! The connection problem that prompted me to begin this thread has vanished with the purchase of an HDMI cable (2m) that works. So, thanks to everyone who commented.

One last question: My 2-yr-old 46" Bravia TV only has a max res of 1080i. Should I opt for that? Or for 780p? Or should I leave the Media Player set at 'Auto'?

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old3eyes

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#311406 25-Mar-2010 19:12

I have a Sony that has the same max resolution. With my Popcornhour I have the out set at 720P /60. 720P /50 gave some strange picture formating..

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Old3eyes

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geekIT

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#311546 26-Mar-2010 10:09

OK, I watched a TV episode (130MB mkv) last night at 1080i and it looked pretty good. Searching the net for comparisons between 1080i and 720p, seems there's divided opinion as to which is best. Some people say that 720p is best for live action, ie, sports, but I won't be watching that via the media player, so maybe I'll stick with 1080i.

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alvin

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#311591 26-Mar-2010 11:45

geekIT: BTW, there are two generations of WD TVLive Media Players, gen1 and gen 2. Mine's gen2, which is apparently the most recent.

anyone knows what's the difference between the two? i thought WDTV live is gen2.

geekIT

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#311723 26-Mar-2010 19:03

Have a look here - it's WD's support site. You might be able to dig up info on the differences.
http://support.wdc.com/product/kb.asp?level1=10&lang=en

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