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I've had one of these since Xmas. It also works with Free DLNA servers like miniDLNA and MediaTomb, in addition to Win7 Media Center. MediaTomb works best out of all these.

Pros:
- Network playback for supported formats
- HD x264 playback works
- Easy connection to TV
- Automatic firmware update notification and easy installation

Cons:
- Poor menu interface
- Poor remote (no number keys)
- No skip-tbaconime function; only FFWD or skip approx 10 min
- No aspect ratio control, none.
- Scaling is fixed to selected points - not infinite so you probably won't fill the screen
- Recent xvid AVI files may or may not playback - flip a coin
- Same for other formats like flv, mkv, rm, mov. I've been pleasantly surprised most of the time, however.
- Doesn't remember login credentials for network shares; I setup samba to allow complete access from the WD-Live IP to get around it, but it still means pressing dwn, right, <enter> to connect every time. The on-screen keyboard is ... uh ... painful.
- No volume control on the device
- I've never been able to connect via Network Share with login creds to a Win7 media center box. Only via DLNA on Win7.
- No 30 second skip buttons. Only FFWD and RWD exist.
- Sometimes video playback stops for no clear reason. Sometimes the device locks up during FFWD operations
- No controls on the device itself. Don't lose the remote. Pwr, play/pause would really be nice.
- Directory and DLNA caching is infinite. They don't clear the cache until device reboot. Re-entering a folder/directory doesn't refresh the cache. WD says this isn't a bug. <b>They are wrong.

If I were in the market for a network video playback device still, I'd seriously look at a few other solutions. I doubt I'd buy this device.

I also own a MediaGate ... [Truncated]

asus o play any better?

They all have their pros and cons...lots of reviews out there. This thing needs to come down in price.

Can this thing function like a tivo, or is there a device out there that does?

@#2 No
@#3 Trust me, not worth it.
@#4 No- its junk.

The features this lil thing provides have now been standard on All Samsung LCDTV for a while.

What I'm looking for is something like this --> http://www.boxee.tv/box

This will hook up online, watch any of your shows, Play ISO files as well!!! Something this lil junk wont do.

The Boxee Box is rumored to cost around $200. I can see that there will be a lot of great features with it, but that price sucks.

http://ces.cnet.com/8301-31045_1-10429585-269.html

#6, you're probably better off getting one of those little Atom PC's with the Ion graphics chipset for $200, then you can run anything you want on it.

Guys, buy the media player by Seagate, much better. Make sure buying version 2 (_ 201) of Seagate. It can play m2ts format and some others. Very happy with Seagate. Best Buy has it. Own version 1 of Western Digital, not quite happy with it.

I've got an HDX1000 with a 1TB WD green drive installed in it, works great. It plays everyhing I've tried except one WMV file that must have done with an old version of the software, it's version 9 compatible but not 7 and 8. It has full control over aspect ratio, the picture can be zoomed in or out in small increments for a perfect fit, it can also be shifted up/down and side to side for CRTs that aren't centered. There's no noisy fan and the WD HDD runs cool and quiet.

The HDX costs more but you get what you pay for. I debated on buying this but figured I wouldn't be happy with it. I definitely like the HDX.

#1 -- there's an option in the setup to automatically login to network shares. You need to uncheck this to set/change the password. Then check it again to automatically login.

A couple more pros:

- two USB slots for external drives
- will share the two external USB drives to other units on your network.

#10 - thanks. I'll check for that. Seems odd that the interface doesn't show this checkbox when you want it.

Any idea how to force a file/directory cache refresh without a reboot?

I'm waiting on the Syabas 'Popbox' should be out end of the month at $129. Supposedly superior UI.

I have one and like it a lot. Works great for playing every type of video file I've tried.

I also like that it has extra audio out options. I have it hooked up via HDMI to my TV (which is hooked to an amplifier), but when I'm listening to music I prefer to not waste energy by having the TV on. So I also have an audio out going directly to the amplifier which allows me to turn the TV off. The Pandora support is great too.

Also check out the official forum. WD seems responsive to their user base. For instance they say they are considering adding the ability to jump ahead in a file in 30 second (etc.) increments and the ability to jump to a specific place in a file.

I would like to see Netflix, Hulu, etc. added to what they offer now (Pandora, Live 365, YouTube).

IMHO, Xtreamer a bit better. But I prefer HDX-BD1.

I own two and so far they have played every audio and video format that I've thrown at them locally or across my network with one exception. They won't do BD across the network. However they will from a local external drive.

#1 Video aspect controls are in the control panel and network share IDs and passwords can be stored. I'd also rate the interface as superior to everything except Boxee - but Boxee doesn't do BD ISOs.

#2 Only if you speak Chinese. The O Play supposedly does a better job with Chinese subtitles. However the WDTV Live has a much better interface.

#4 No it does not record. It's a media player.

#5 Is clueless. Since when will a Samsung TV play FLAC files or Blu-Ray rips without a media device? My LN52A850 does not. The WDTV Live plays DVD and BD ISO rips. The Boxee will not play BD ISOs. It says so right on the Boxee site. Boxee also said that it's likely Boxee never will because of licensing issues.

#8 This isn't the old WDTV it's the much better than Seagate WDTV Live. See Gizmoto's battlemoto.

#10 is correct and I update the devices' external drives remotely.

What max size external drives are supported through the USB? 1.5tb or 2tb?

Nahmbah 12, u stock is rising. Syabas 'Popbox' for the win!!!

#16 calling anyone clueless is childish; yet I do have to respond. The WD does everything my Samsung 630 series and above perform. I plug and play via USB port. That's all I was saying. Your 850 series does too- if you didn't know, now you know.

For the Boxee Box, I have been following it for a while- I didn't see anything about issues with them Playing ISO files. Now, since its not release, its all speculation for now.

If you know of a better device than the WD and The Boxee Box, PLEASE let me know. Don't just go off and rip someone for providing their 2 cents.

#19 Statements like: