The magic box for viewing EX footage! at DVinfo.net

Paul Frederick · December 3rd, 2008, 10:28 AM

Amazon.com: Western Digital WD TV HD Media Player: Electronics

Just got this and it's GREAT! Plug in a cheap USB2 drive (even 5400 rpm) and watch the output via HDMI in full 1080p glory! You need to make your files in a format it can read, but H.264 or MPEGs look GREAT! It can read MANY, MANY file formats. I've been waiting for Apple to support Blu-ray mainly so I could hand my clients an HD master for their use (alot of corporate clients), but now this is so much better (and cheaper!). Instead of factoring in Blu-ray players, blank media etc., I'll include this unit and a drive in the cost of the production! About $200 total.

The quality is stunning! It's very small and even with the drive can fit in a purse or carry on luggage! So far I have EVERY HD master file I've made on 1 - 350GB drive (only half full!).

Unlike the Apple TV which can only do 720p at 24fps, this can do any size up to 1080p! Really an amazing product that is long overdue. People have had issues with making SD DVDs from EX footage, or had to show it in HDV res off a tape, but now, show it in it's full raster glory.

Steve Gibbons · December 3rd, 2008, 01:05 PM

Any thoughts on how it compares to this:

LaCie - LaCie LaCinema Rugged

SG

Paul Cronin · December 3rd, 2008, 01:40 PM

Great find Paul just what I need for a few clients who have HDTV's and want to see the footage in HD. Perfect for trade shows.

Placing a order now since you can't go wrong with the price and besides your review all reviews praise the unit.

Like you site. Grew up on the Hudson River

Steve Gibbons · December 3rd, 2008, 01:42 PM

FYI - Apparently 1080p is limited to 24fps on the WD TV.

SG

Paul Cronin · December 3rd, 2008, 01:50 PM

Thanks Steve still worth a look and to show a few clients.

James Huenergardt · December 3rd, 2008, 02:19 PM

I wonder if it would work with a USB thumb drive. That would eliminate having to power a secondary device.

That would work to show a a couple of small movies. I'm thinking like commercials or a wedding video.

Very interesting indeed. Now to buy an HDTV!

Gints Klimanis · December 3rd, 2008, 02:25 PM

I have this box, and it's awesome. It even plays Quicktime MOV files in 720p from my EX1, even though that format is not in the list.

Awesomeness aside, it does have some drawbacks. It's always on, even if you soft-power it off. The remote control is weak and requires double button pushes. The box is confused if you pull out the USB media while on and requires a hard reboot. The glitziness of the user interface animations slow down navigation. It doesn't decode DTS from MKV files, but I'm trying to get a DTS receiver for the job. This thing needs a firmware upgrade, that's all.

Paul Frederick · December 3rd, 2008, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Gibbons

FYI - Apparently 1080p is limited to 24fps on the WD TV.

SG

I've seen that too but can assure you I have played 1080p 30fps files with no problem! I encoded them to H.264. The big drawback now is the extra encode time to H.264, or even making an MP4 takes a while. I'm experimenting with taking an HDV master file and seeing if I can just change the extension to something it will play (HDV is an MP2 file after all), however I'm on a MAC so everything is in a QT wrapper. Only QT it will play is if it's Mpeg or MP4. It doesn't seem to like 48k audio as it'll say "Audio not supported" if that is present.

Also trying different programs to encode (Compressor/MPEGstreamclip/QT Pro etc.). I'll report back if I find any quick work arounds. I'm using an older G5 dual PPC so the encode time is horrible.

Paul Frederick · December 3rd, 2008, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Gibbons

Any thoughts on how it compares to this:

LaCie - LaCie LaCinema Rugged

SG

Steve, Checking that out and it doesn't really say it'll play HD files. It says will use HDMI upscaling. Maybe it can, and having the hard drive all as one unit is good, less cables, though if your hard drive goes down, so goes your player! Having them seperate can have some advantages too...different drives can be brought with only certain things on it. If it gets lost or stolen, not everything is gone. Plus the WD will read off of flash drives! An 8GB drive can hold quite a bit of stuff for only about $30! Talk about small and portable!

Joachim Hoge · December 3rd, 2008, 02:53 PM

Thanks for posting. They don´t have them in stock yet here in Norway, but are expected shortly.
We are producing content for 5 big screens in placed in different bars at a ski resort here in Norway and we shoot everything with EXs.
We were trying to figure out how to deliver the content to the HD TVs, everything from using PCs, burning Blu-Rays and keep them running in loops.

Now this comes out and it´s better AND cheaper that any other solution
(and we already use WD Passports for file handling.)
Thanks for making my day

Paul Frederick · December 3rd, 2008, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Huenergardt

I wonder if it would work with a USB thumb drive. That would eliminate having to power a secondary device.

That would work to show a a couple of small movies. I'm thinking like commercials or a wedding video.

Very interesting indeed. Now to buy an HDTV!

James, It does indeed power an external drive (thumbdrive) I'm using a 320GB WD Passport and it doesn't need power at all!

Paul Frederick · December 3rd, 2008, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joachim Hoge

Thanks for posting. They don´t have them in stock yet here in Norway, but are expected shortly.
We are producing content for 5 big screens in placed in different bars at a ski resort here in Norway and we shoot everything with EXs.
We were trying to figure out how to deliver the content to the HD TVs, everything from using PCs, burning Blu-Rays and keep them running in loops.

Now this comes out and it´s better AND cheaper that any other solution
(and we already use WD Passports for file handling.)
Thanks for making my day

This really made my day too! As stated, it needs firmware update for some things like playing DTS files, and being able to fast forward, rewind some other formats but otherwise for corporate client stuff, it's good to go right now! Just always remember to eject the drive before shutting it down. On AVS forum, a WD rep said they were planning better power management for a future firmware upgrade.

Andy Wilkinson · December 3rd, 2008, 03:44 PM

Links etc. to reviews of it in this thread

WD HD Media Player (with HDMI out etc.) - The Digital Video Information Network

Joachim Hoge · December 3rd, 2008, 03:50 PM

How loud is this thing?
Not like my PS3 I hope

Alex Kanakis · December 3rd, 2008, 04:25 PM

anyone know if you can loop for in-store displays? i have a work around for looping using apple tv, but it's kind of a pain.

December 3rd, 2008, 10:28 AM	#1
Paul Frederick Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: WestChazy, NY Posts: 291	The magic box for viewing EX footage! Amazon.com: Western Digital WD TV HD Media Player: Electronics Just got this and it's GREAT! Plug in a cheap USB2 drive (even 5400 rpm) and watch the output via HDMI in full 1080p glory! You need to make your files in a format it can read, but H.264 or MPEGs look GREAT! It can read MANY, MANY file formats. I've been waiting for Apple to support Blu-ray mainly so I could hand my clients an HD master for their use (alot of corporate clients), but now this is so much better (and cheaper!). Instead of factoring in Blu-ray players, blank media etc., I'll include this unit and a drive in the cost of the production! About $200 total. The quality is stunning! It's very small and even with the drive can fit in a purse or carry on luggage! So far I have EVERY HD master file I've made on 1 - 350GB drive (only half full!). Unlike the Apple TV which can only do 720p at 24fps, this can do any size up to 1080p! Really an amazing product that is long overdue. People have had issues with making SD DVDs from EX footage, or had to show it in HDV res off a tape, but now, show it in it's full raster glory. __________________ www.paulfrederickproductions.com

December 3rd, 2008, 01:40 PM	#3
Paul Cronin Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 4,048	Great find Paul just what I need for a few clients who have HDTV's and want to see the footage in HD. Perfect for trade shows. Placing a order now since you can't go wrong with the price and besides your review all reviews praise the unit. Like you site. Grew up on the Hudson River __________________ Paul Cronin www.paulcroninstudios.com

December 3rd, 2008, 01:50 PM	#5
Paul Cronin Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 4,048	Thanks Steve still worth a look and to show a few clients. __________________ Paul Cronin www.paulcroninstudios.com

December 3rd, 2008, 02:19 PM	#6
James Huenergardt Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chehalis, WA Posts: 513	I wonder if it would work with a USB thumb drive. That would eliminate having to power a secondary device. That would work to show a a couple of small movies. I'm thinking like commercials or a wedding video. Very interesting indeed. Now to buy an HDTV! __________________ Reel Inspirations - www.reelinspirations.com Commercials, Dramas, Image Pieces, Documentaries, Motion Graphics

December 3rd, 2008, 03:44 PM	#13
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	Links etc. to reviews of it in this thread WD HD Media Player (with HDMI out etc.) - The Digital Video Information Network __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

December 3rd, 2008, 01:05 PM	#2
Steve Gibbons Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bridgenorth Posts: 116	Any thoughts on how it compares to this: LaCie - LaCie LaCinema Rugged SG

December 3rd, 2008, 01:42 PM	#4
Steve Gibbons Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bridgenorth Posts: 116	FYI - Apparently 1080p is limited to 24fps on the WD TV. SG

December 3rd, 2008, 02:25 PM	#7
Gints Klimanis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,222	I have this box, and it's awesome. It even plays Quicktime MOV files in 720p from my EX1, even though that format is not in the list. Awesomeness aside, it does have some drawbacks. It's always on, even if you soft-power it off. The remote control is weak and requires double button pushes. The box is confused if you pull out the USB media while on and requires a hard reboot. The glitziness of the user interface animations slow down navigation. It doesn't decode DTS from MKV files, but I'm trying to get a DTS receiver for the job. This thing needs a firmware upgrade, that's all.

December 3rd, 2008, 02:53 PM	#10
Joachim Hoge Major Player Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 402	Thanks for posting. They don´t have them in stock yet here in Norway, but are expected shortly. We are producing content for 5 big screens in placed in different bars at a ski resort here in Norway and we shoot everything with EXs. We were trying to figure out how to deliver the content to the HD TVs, everything from using PCs, burning Blu-Rays and keep them running in loops. Now this comes out and it´s better AND cheaper that any other solution (and we already use WD Passports for file handling.) Thanks for making my day

December 3rd, 2008, 03:50 PM	#14
Joachim Hoge Major Player Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 402	How loud is this thing? Not like my PS3 I hope

December 3rd, 2008, 04:25 PM	#15
Alex Kanakis New Boot Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Plano, Texas Posts: 15	looping? anyone know if you can loop for in-store displays? i have a work around for looping using apple tv, but it's kind of a pain.