Search for the PERFECT media player under $200

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Search for the PERFECT media player under $200

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294 posts

Ultimate Geek

#634238 1-Jun-2012 15:33

kiwijunglist: Plex supports DLNA devices, you run Plex media server on the PC, then you connect to the plex DLNA media server using the wdtv

Personally my media is cleanly organised and labelled with folder images, so i prefer to just browse windows shares on the wdtv as it's cleaner and faster.

Oh, right. The thing I like about Plex clients is the thumbnail images and media info it adds to your library. I assume viewing media servers on the WDTV is the same as viewing network shares? ie. Standard WDTV GUI (no thumbnail images).

Used to be obsessed with creating 'folder.jpgs' for each of my folders to show as thumbnails on WDTV. But like how Plex grabs all the imagery for you.

But I agree, out of the 2, I'd probably still use Network Shares.

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timmmay

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#634248 1-Jun-2012 15:49

I tried WiFi with media streaming but it didn't work well for me. I put a cable in and put a wap/switch in, it's much more reliable.

WDTV sounds like a nice easy solution. I'd want the live version... newer is usually better.

Talkiet

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#634249 1-Jun-2012 15:49

timmmay: Thanks Talkiet, that's interesting. I just googled and found ATV2 is Apple TV, and they only cost $180! I don't have any 1080p content. I guess the advantage of a media oriented PC is it can have a blu ray drive in it.

Do WD Live and XMBC talk natively to DLNA servers? I have all my content fronted by PS3 Media Server, which is just a DLNA server really. My Samsung TV talks to it fine.

I don't think so. I used to use PS3 media server as well but XBMC just connects to simple network shares. It's much simpler and easier. (It MIGHT be able to use DLNA - but I don't know why you'd bother)

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

trig42

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#634254 1-Jun-2012 15:57

Does WDTV show the info Plex grabs?

timmmay

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#634256 1-Jun-2012 15:59

I guess going straight to shares works fine too, probably much simpler :)

kiwijunglist

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#634259 1-Jun-2012 16:06

trig42: Does WDTV show the info Plex grabs?

WDTV shows the plex thumbnail image (dvd cover) and the plex title. It currently doesn't show the scraped fanart or extra info (actors etc), but hopefully this is coming soon as I think it's work in progress.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

trig42

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#634272 1-Jun-2012 16:28

Good, because the WDTV is a good product and does everything else I want a product like that to do.

wanghou168

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Ultimate Geek

#634299 1-Jun-2012 17:08

BigDave: Have you had a look at this one?

http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=DVAACR7370&name=AC-Ryan-Playon-HD-2-%28BEST-SELLING-NO.1%29-Full-HD-10

This is just above :) @ $205.85 this is what I am looking at currently

I am quite interested in this one too
As long as it can play HD files in MKV & rmvb formats :P

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steve2222

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#636071 5-Jun-2012 14:04

Re the WD TV Live from NL and B&B for $99:

- can you access any web address or only the ones pre-configured in the device eg YouTube. I was interested say for example if you could stream music from GrooveShark via the device.

- I know the NZ version does not provide 'out of the box' access to say Netflix as NF is not officially availble in NZ. But is it possible to get access via the device if you use US Un-Block? I read on another thread at GZ that the non access to NF and other such sites is a chip hardware restriction, whereas I had assumed it would be a firmware issue and maybe accessable by using a 'hacked' firmware version.

- it would seem strange that WD would block access to Netflix and Spotify etc by doing some hardware thing to the chip as that would mean that when those services do become available in NZ (like Spotify now has) they could not turn access on by releasing a firmware update.

So in summary has anyone been able to get broader web access on these devices in NZ and if so how?

timmmay

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#636077 5-Jun-2012 14:09

The Raspberry PI can act as a media center, give it six months and it might be cheaper and better than WD Live - though it would take more work especially with remotes, a box, etc. A premade box may work out cheaper.

http://www.linuxlinks.com/article/20120603092224252/RaspberryPi-ThingstoDowiththePi.html

driller2000

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#636149 5-Jun-2012 15:56

my recommendations:

want a simple option ie. media player? - get the wdtv live - esp seeing as it would be locally supported

want a more capable media player? i would get the xtreamer sidewinder 3 - because of its additional features over the wdtv live eg. blu ray and 3d iso playback, integrated movie jukebox, full hd audio support etc - but as an online purchase/smaller company - you may be more exposed - i haven't suffered - but some have...

want a more comprehensive media center exp? - choose your flavour of media center sw eg. xbmc, plex, mdeiaportal, wmc etc

after testing all of the above (except plex) - i prefer xbmc

choose your platform eg. linux, win, ios etc

choose device to install it on

NIL cost? - if you have the spare hw - re-task it as a htpc - there may be compromises though esp re noise as this is obviously important when it comes to a media player/htpc and not so much for old desktop hardware

next lowest cost option - raspberry pi - but i see some reviews that say its a bit weak for full hd video etc - no surprise really given that its meant to be a cheap "pc" - not a htpc

next lowest - atv2 - with xbmc - won't display 720p, no hd audio, no local storage - but pretty competent by all other accounts

next - mini atx build spec your own, or get a pre-built one - eg. acer revo etc - i got an xtreamer ultra 1 - int hdd - win 7 - xbmc eden - files local, and network - incl xtreamer etrayz (nas) - and has run very well for a year now...

exp - full on htpc - sky's the limit - but you can also make it a beast if you're so inclined - $200 might buy the case : p

so - for $200 - if it's say xbmc you want and 720p is enough - then i would get an old atv2 - jail break it - install xbmc - and your off (i see one selling for $300 on trademe.......

so many options : )

kiwijunglist

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#636161 5-Jun-2012 16:12

raspberry pi unfortunately is too slow to replace a wdtv or htpc

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

steve2222

493 posts

Ultimate Geek

#636528 6-Jun-2012 10:26

steve2222: Re the WD TV Live from NL and B&B for $99:

- can you access any web address or only the ones pre-configured in the device eg YouTube. I was interested say for example if you could stream music from GrooveShark via the device.

- I know the NZ version does not provide 'out of the box' access to say Netflix as NF is not officially availble in NZ. But is it possible to get access via the device if you use US Un-Block? I read on another thread at GZ that the non access to NF and other such sites is a chip hardware restriction, whereas I had assumed it would be a firmware issue and maybe accessable by using a 'hacked' firmware version.

- it would seem strange that WD would block access to Netflix and Spotify etc by doing some hardware thing to the chip as that would mean that when those services do become available in NZ (like Spotify now has) they could not turn access on by releasing a firmware update.

So in summary has anyone been able to get broader web access on these devices in NZ and if so how?

Ok, so I have now confirmed from the WD TV forums that it is a chip/hardware issue that prevents Netfix etc and there is no solution to this other than running Playon software on a PC on the network (but Playon does not do HD so equiavalent to the ATV2 hacked).

But what about general web/internet sites, are they accessiable on the WDTV? If not does running something like Plex provide greater access to streaming internet eg GrooveShark, TVNZ On Demand etc?

By the way, I also saw a post (I think on another site) that suggested a JB ATV2 could do HD if you replaced the card in the device (it even quoted the model/type of the card required). Can anyone confirm this?

Talkiet

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#636533 6-Jun-2012 10:36

steve2222: [snip]
By the way, I also saw a post (I think on another site) that suggested a JB ATV2 could do HD if you replaced the card in the device (it even quoted the model/type of the card required). Can anyone confirm this?

Cite your sources. The ATV2 can output 720P and it can decode and play 1080P (outputting as 720p). Outputting 1080P is not possible.

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

numfarr

329 posts

Ultimate Geek

#636540 6-Jun-2012 10:41

steve2222:
By the way, I also saw a post (I think on another site) that suggested a JB ATV2 could do HD if you replaced the card in the device (it even quoted the model/type of the card required). Can anyone confirm this?

Apparently so if you install a Crystal HD decoder board (losing wireless networking in the process) and a gigabit USB network card: link. That is only for the Apple TV 1 though, and it will only decode but not output 1080p.

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