WD LIve or Apple TV - Will they do what i want?

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steve74

15 posts

Geek

# 80096 26-Mar-2011 14:06

Hi guys, I'm hoping you can help. I have searched every post possible and read multiple reviews (mostly US) on the Apple and WD and im still not sure either is will do exactly what I'm after. Basically we recently got married and have lots of photos from our camera and USB sticks that we have to view using our windows 7 PC. Not ideal when ya have a dozen people trying to gather around the PC. We need a way of sending photos and maybe movies from our PC to our Panasonic HDMI TV which has no sd or usb slots. It would be also great if we could stream music from windows media player to the tv/stereo.

The Apple was the first thing i came across and i was keen however we own nothing apple and i don't particularly like Itunes as a media player and i get the impression the apple tv restricts you to itunes.

There appaers to be different versions of the WD (WD TV, TV LIVE and LIVE PLUS) do i realy need a plus as it only seems to include the ability to buy movies online?

Im looking at options under $250 - what do you guys suggest?

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# 452156 26-Mar-2011 19:04

Depends what you want it for. If you want to play the normal xvid, divx and MKV then you will have to go WD as Apple has crippled these only allowing Apple codecs.. If you want if to pay movies then get the Apple TV..

Regards,

Old3eyes

JimmyH

2645 posts

Uber Geek

# 452165 26-Mar-2011 19:16

If you go with Western Digital then get the Live, not the older HD TV unit, as the cost differential is negligible and the performance/functionality is better (I have both). You don't need the Live Plus - all it really adds is Netflix capability, which isn't available in NZ anyway. Avoid the Mini.

The Apple TV is a little too intentionally crippled for my blood. Has to be jailbroken to be much use.

wreck90

780 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

# 452180 26-Mar-2011 19:58

apple tv has a great user interface.

Apple do concentrate on the user interface, which is really important in my books.

WD supports more video formats than apple - if you want to use this for video , and for photos maybe the WD is a better choice.

steve74

15 posts

Geek

# 452188 26-Mar-2011 20:15

thanks guys, you have just reinforced what i was thinking. Dont get me wrong i like apple gear and like how it all works together but i dont like how you have to use itunes and their own formats. They are basically doing what they accused Microsoft of doing years ago. but that's another argument for another forum, If my missis has her way we will eventually have iphones which may be a reason to go AppleTV?

Thanks again

steve

chiefie

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# 452191 26-Mar-2011 20:27

You can't beat Apple's whole itunes ecosystem.. it just work and works well. AirPlay and iTunes Home Sharing are great convenient...

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gehenna

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# 452194 26-Mar-2011 20:35

Once jailbroken the aTV2 is streets ahead of the WDTV HD. I stopped using my WDTV because of this. You have to have network storage to stream the files to the aTV2 but if that's no problem then it's way more versatile than the WDTV.

Dunnersfella

3625 posts

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# 452273 27-Mar-2011 06:47

+1 - Jailbreak the Apple TV and you'll be able to do everything you want to... if you have network attached storage (a router that handles USB storage for instance). Most find it childs play to use, so adoption through out the household will be quick.

old3eyes

8224 posts

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# 452289 27-Mar-2011 09:49

But how many people want to jailbreak a Apple TV?? Not many I think..

Regards,

Old3eyes

plod

265 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 452292 27-Mar-2011 09:54

It is a geek site, of course people want to hack it, how many people want to root there android phones to get full function out of it

steve74

15 posts

Geek

# 452303 27-Mar-2011 10:31

So ive been looking at the specs again and im leaning towards the apple again. does the apple have built in WIFI ? or just capable of plugging into a wireless router?

RE: Jail breaking: Is this as easy as firmware? how is it done and what advantage will it give? I plan on running all my music from our PC and would be happy with the apple if it was windows compatible. My understanding is that by using the WD unit i can access my pc folders using the WD remote without having to touch my pc. Once jail broken will the Apple do this without having a Mac?

steve74

15 posts

Geek

# 452353 27-Mar-2011 11:54

Ok, ive spent 4 hours reading reviews and specs for a $200 item and have been going around in circles. in a nut shell i have worked out the following things that apply to my situation:

WDTV live

Pros: More video formats, Windows 7 friendly, compatible with my harmony remote, normal usb port

Cons: Wifi only via external wifi dongle, not so good user interface.

Apple TV

Pros: Great User interface, Built in Wifi, Iphone friendly (when the missis buys one), harmony remote

Cons: Have to use itunes, only has mini usb port.

xarqi

727 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 452364 27-Mar-2011 12:51

Although my requirements were just a little different from yours, I tried two WD products (WD TV Live HD; WD myBook World Edition) and rejected both for functionality reasons, and rejected a third (WD TV Live Hub) after reading reviews that it was even worse, in particular, using an older version of 'Twonky'.

WD tech support was appalling.

They may do the job for you, but I would suggest that you get one on trial with a right of return, just in case.

In the end, I settled for continuing to use my iMac as a file server, adding 2 TB, and using my Vu+ Duo as a media player in addition to its other functions. If I go down that path again, I'll be looking at the Apple TV offering.

(Issues I had were poor FF/RW functionality on some video formats; having to reauthorise NAS access every time; directory corruption of a disc attached to the external USB of the myBook; inability to share files from such an external drive; need to use 'Twonky', which I dislike, on my iMac; lack of a volume control on the WD TV remote; soem other things that elude me at the moment.)

stagnant16

179 posts

Master Geek

# 452367 27-Mar-2011 12:57

Cons: Have to use itunes, only has mini usb port.

Yes you have to have an itunes account if you wish to rent anything from the itunes store, but you don't have to use itunes.

You'd be hard pressed to go past an Apple TV with XBMC installed for such a minimal outlay.

gehenna

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# 452383 27-Mar-2011 13:34

old3eyes: But how many people want to jailbreak a Apple TV?? Not many I think..

It's not exactly a difficult process. Download the app. Plug the aTV into your computer. Press the button. Presto.

steve74

15 posts

Geek

# 452492 27-Mar-2011 18:11

well it seems that the ATV is streets ahead in Ease of use but is lagging in functionality. Am i correct in saying that if i use my PC as storage then i dont need a standard USB port on the ATV as it will access it from my PC slot anyway?

As long as i can access photo files and music, video files (via itunes) then i guess the simplicity of the UI of the Apple makes it a winner. For $170RRP its worth a crack and if i dont like it there is always trademe.

the other issue is my MYSKY unit is pluged into my TV's only HDMI slot

Will it stream TVONE on demand to my TV also ??

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