western digital live tv media center -anyone have this?

[theboss]

just wondering what people think and how well it connects via wireless to a computer....my plan is to use this in the basement and keep the movies on an external drive connected to my PC in the next room.......anyone??

[pw154]

I've got the WDTV live. It's a decent box. The interface is a lot better than the Asus OPlay imo. I don't have it hooked up via wireless though, just by wired LAN. Never tried using a wireless USB adapter with it but read it can be done. Note that you'll need both a wireless N router and N adapters on your media server and the WDTV appliance if you want to stream HD content wirelessly.

[theboss]

i thought it had the wireless built in ?
i have a wireless N router already....my PC is wired directly to that...will the WDTV see my computer (and its external drive) to use for media ??

[Shaun]

It does not have wireless built in. If you want something with wireless built in i would suggest a D-Link DSM-750. It also functions as a Windows Media Player Extender and has Dual Band Wireless N.

Overall i would suggest the WDTV HD Live if you are wired and the DSM-750 if your wanting wireless. (I also have a 750 for sale!)

[theboss]

But I could add an N adapter like pw154 suggested for wireless on the WDTV Live box.

Those Dlinks are $250 + ?? and i am not on Vista..

i see it does go backward to a G adapter though...which I have

[theboss]

Overall i would suggest the WDTV HD Live if you are wired and the DSM-750 if your wanting wireless. (I also have a 750 for sale!)

sounds like th D-Link unit is a piece of turd....

http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2008/04/19/review-a-weekend-wit.html

[pw154]

You don't want to go with a windows media extender. Those usually do not play all the file formats, like .mkv for example. Plus they are a pain in the ass. The WDTV live is fine, as well as the OPlay, Patriot Boxoffice, etc... lots of choices and I am sure some are better than others but the WDTV is the one I've got. It's got 2 USB ports in it so you can get an adapter, just make sure its one that will work with it. There's a compatibility list on forums somewhere. Let me see if I can dig it up

[pw154]

USB Wireless Adapters:

Brand Model
Belkin F5D8051 V3100
Belkin F5D8055 v2
Buffalo WLI-UC-G300HP
New! Buffalo Mini WLI-UC-GN
Buffalo WLI-UC-G300N
Buffalo WLI-UC-GN US
New! D-Link USB Adapter DWA-125 Wireless 150
D-Link DWA-140 V1.30
EnGenius EUB-9701
New! Hi Power Wireless Mini-USB Adapter GW-USMini2N
New! Level 1 Wireless USB adapter WNC-0600USB
Linksys WUSB100 (No Revision)
Linksys WUSB600N V1
Trendnet TEW-644UB V1.0R
Trendnet TEW-645UB
Trendnet TEW-664UB V1.0R
Sitecom WL-329 V1 001
New! ZyXel USB Client Adapter NWD-210N

[pw154]

Those are the official ones that are supposed to work with it. You can also get a wireless N bridge and it will do the same job, except it will be guaranteed to work.

If you don't want to go this route though you can always wait till the new OPlay comes out, that one I've read will have Wireless N built into it. Should be out in Feb/March

[theboss]

thanks for your help pw...
do you have a url for OPlay..i am having trouble finding it..

was planning on the WD box since i can pick it up at best buy..and return if i want fairly easily

i assume there is some menu to get the unit to connect to the WEP network ?

[pw154]

http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/06/asus-o-play-air-hdp-r3-arrives-with-wifi-and-card-reader/ This is a preview of the one coming out. The one out right now is similar to the WDTV. Not sure which retailers carry the OPlay but BestBuy might. If you go to bestbuy try to get them to price match a canadian online retailer. NCIX, tigerdirect, newegg.ca, and amazon.ca all have the WDTV live for $129.99. BB will price match plus 10% of the difference. They did for me when I bought mine anyway. Some employees might give you a hard time because it's an online retailer but it still falls under their policy. Just be stern with them and they will match it

[theboss]

thanks again..

so..just talked to the IT guy i work with...
since I am finishing my basement but dont have the baseboard trim on i am going to run a network cable from where the WD will be back to my router so it can access my external drive attached to my computer right over the network...sound good? then no wireless issues at all.

[pw154]

thanks again..

so..just talked to the IT guy i work with...
since I am finishing my basement but dont have the baseboard trim on i am going to run a network cable from where the WD will be back to my router so it can access my external drive attached to my computer right over the network...sound good? then no wireless issues at all.Thats the best way to do it!

[vakker]

I have 2 WDTV, non-live. They work great but I did not network mine. I use it for mkv high-def files and streaming is unreliable. I just walk upstairs and dump 10-15 movies on the drive and then a few weeks later do the same.

[theboss]

i dont think the older ones are network capable....but anyways, i plan to use it for movies (700mb torrent files) and music

[vakker]

i dont think the older ones are network capable....but anyways, i plan to use it for movies (700mb torrent files) and music

they are if you run a modded firmware and hookup a usb ethernet adapter.