and ship it direct to my NZ address. Will they send me the US model? Apparently the US model has Netflix installed, and that with the ability to stream from my MyBookLive is all I need it to do.
I've read on these forums that the US models have different firmware on the chipset but as per PoHQ poster - I purchased mine here in NZ and can watch netflix on it just fine. Not sure if the firmware /chipset stuff is a red herring to be honest. If you subscribe to a site such as unblock us, its fairly easy to tell the WDTV you are based in USA and it updates all the relevant software for that region. Much as I like it, it can be iffy on the networking side from time to time and it's netflix app can be patchy and laggy sometimes - however it does pretty much play everything you can throw at it via a network.
I've now switched over to an Intel NUC HTPC running xbmc which itself brings a new round of issues - the biggest one being HDMI handshaking with my denon amp...WDTV never did that :) +1 for the WDTV
Thanks for your replies. I have just this minute order one and loaded up the order with books for the kids so shipping is free! Now just have to wait the two weeks for it to arrive :(
As far as I know it's the BBC iPlayer which is chipset dependant not Netflix. Agree with one of the above posters, the WDTV is definitely not without issue. The 2 things that make it's quirks and issues able to put up with for me is that it can play absolutley anything you throw at it and also it's pretty cheap.
You can install custom firmware on WDTV devices that will give you access to many extra features including netflix. Check out this page for further info
I've now switched over to an Intel NUC HTPC running xbmc which itself brings a new round of issues - the biggest one being HDMI handshaking with my denon amp...WDTV never did that :) +1 for the WDTV
whats it doing exactly? htpc screwed up when it loses the EDID from AMP? if yes you could get a HDMI detective that can solve it i usually get from amazon
Long story short as its posted in the home theatre thread. After extensive trials I have to get my HDMI matrix switch changed to the NUC input within about 1 second of switching it on otherwise the handshake doesn't occur and black screen on telly. That route goes NUC - Switch - Denon 1317 AVR and Sony 55x4500 telly. The other route that works flawlessly everytime is NUC - Switch - Yamaha AVR - Projector.
Even found when bypassing the matrix switch and plugging straight into Denon AVR I have to have the input selected on the denon prior to powering it up otherwise it's a world of handshaking pain. I think the detective box from the US would help but i'm loathed to pay $100+ for something that shouldn't be happening...However...piece of mind so I may cave in. Some companies here in NZ selling them for $250 + - Unreal !!!
Trying to work some software issues instead ( for now) - forced restart with a hotkey and 2nd time around all is well etc..
So as I found
WDTV - Plays everything well. Glitchy networking and for some reason will sometimes just not see your home network. Not great interface - basic folder structure but some artwork can be loaded. Netflix works but can be glitchy and slow and hangs a lot. However has always handshaken well with the rest of my kitk, is fairly priced and the remote works ! A good piece of kit for most folks.
NUC - Much as its on its 5th incarnation I would say it's still at enthusiast stage and many examples of people having lots of tinkering issues with temps, fan noise, new bios problems, installing OS onto it, SSD just disappears - happened to me yesterday - wouldn't even see it in bios !! Getting a remote setup can also be fun and given the glitches I'm loathed not to have a wireless keyboard with mouse handy as would struggle outside of xbmc otherwise. Technically its got everything but a fair bit still to refine and make consistent enough so that it just kind of 'works out of the box' for many people. Netflix does run very quickly and well in my opinion but again is best drive with mouse and keyboard. Some apps allow it to be driven via xbmc but again, not perfect.
My two cents. Others may have different mileage...I'm gonna plug the wdtv into kids telly for them to access the NAS as well.
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