WD TV Live Plus 1080p HD Media Player

I was busily moving hundreds of DVDs, HDDVDs and BluRays to my network media server when I noticed my BluRay player couldn't handle the large number of files I'd created. Time to seek out a new solution. There are a few appealing choices out there (Roku, Logitech, et al) but few of them can handle a media library on the LAN. They're generally set up for streaming only. I came across this device and was impressed with what I read. It does handle many streaming services--Netflix, Hulu, YouTube and others--although Amazon Vine isn't on the list. From my point of view, that's the only drawback in that area. Where it really shines is handling my media server. Not only does it support the DLNA standard, it also can map directly onto a network share and manage files in that way. When dealing with DLNA or network shares, you have to read the fine print about what type of files are actually supported. Some devices handle only MPEG-2. Some don't handle DTS (or they convert it to stereo). This tiny little box has handled everything I've thrown at it. Using Handbrake to convert my DVDs, it does a great job with H.264 in MKV or MOV form. AC3 or DTS are nicely passed through to your receiver. I've also copied content from both BluRay and HD-DVD (using MakeMKV). The TV Live Plus plays them at full HD resolution and full surround passthrough without breaking a sweat (At this point I should point out that you'll need a very fast LAN connection for HD content). Western Digital has been very thorough in the number of codecs they support. The TV Live Plus can also bring older televisions into the modern world. In addition to the HDMI output (unfortunately 1.3), it has both composite and component video outputs. As long as you can get a network connection in the back bedroom, you can share the media library around the house. At this point I haven't set up shares for photos or movies. I expect no difficulties there, because of the thoroughness of the video support. There's always a little room for argument about user interfaces, but this is better than most. Network connection was quite simple--as soon as I hooked up the box, it went out and found a firmware upgrade before my TV was even warmed up. Like the box itself, the remote is small, unobtrusive and easy to use-- basic buttons are all you need. This is a great little box.

I bought the WD TV Live Plus along with the Belkin Surf and Share wireless USB adapter ( Belkin Surf & Share Wireless USB Adapters (F7D2101) ) thinking that it'd finally allow me to have the wireless media setup I'd wanted for a while. Reviews led me to believe that it played all sorts of formats, recognized local shares on your network, played from media servers on your network, etc. Well, all of that is true...if the WD TV Live Plus can actually get and stay on your wireless network. The wireless USB adapter I mentioned was listed on the WD site as being compatible with the WD TV Live Plus so far I've found the whole setup to be VERY iffy. I'll try to watch something on Netflix, and it'll work for about 5 minutes and then it'll drop the network connection. I go to wireless settings and tell it to reconnect to my network, and it says it can't even SEE the network. Meanwhile, a laptop is sitting 5 feet away and has 4 or 5 out of 5 signal bars. Also, while the WDTVLP technically CAN play all sorts of files from media servers (like TVersity), network shares, etc., I've found the performance to be pretty poor. I tried to watch an episode of 30 Rock that I had on my PC which I was sharing via TVersity, and it was constantly pausing, getting out of sync, etc. I did the same thing on my PS3 (streaming the same episode from my PC to the PS3 using TVersity) and it all ran fine. I find that because the WDTVLP doesn't have wireless integrated, it really allows WD and the manufacturer of your wireless USB adapter to pass the buck way too easily. "Having problems? It's probably not the WDTVLP, you should call whoever made your wireless USB adapter!" "Oh, you think your adapter isn't working? No, I think it's an issue with your WDTVLP. You should contact Western Digital about that." At least if wireless had been integrated into the system, you'd have one company to call for support, and they couldn't just bounce you back and forth. Overall, I'm fairly dissatisfied with the WD TV Live Plus. When it works, it works alright. But in my experience, "when it works" is hardly any of the time. Next time I buy something to stream media from the Internet and my local network, I'll probably just get a Boxee box or maybe even an extra PS3 or Xbox 360 if they get cheaper. 8/4/2011 EDIT: I bought a different USB wifi adapter when it was a lightning deal ( Belkin Wireless N+ 802.11n USB Adapter (Black) ) because it was also listed as compatible with the WD TV Live Plus. After unplugging the Surf and Share adapter and plugging this new one in, the WD TV Live Plus is actually working a lot better. I haven't experienced any network drops and it seems to be performing better, too. So a lot of my issues were actually being caused by the bad USB wifi adapter, not the WDTVLP. That said, I still don't like that wifi isn't built in because it makes troubleshooting so much harder (I just got lucky that rolling the dice on another USB adapter fixed my issue). Also, I should note that a firmware update that just came out adds support for Hulu Plus (which I don't have, but I'm sure some people would like to know that). Anyway, upping my review to 4 stars because the WDTVLP is actually working well now that I have a USB wifi adapter that is working. But still won't give 5 stars because wifi isn't built in.

Funkionierte gut. Macht alles was versprochen. Aber die Modell dass ich bekommen habe hat kein integrierter WiFi. Wenn es durch ein Switch benutzt ist, hat es kein Internet mehr. Das heisst das es benutzt ein LAN Buchsen. Schade, weil es gibt nür Vier...

UN vrai petit bijou! C'est le 2e que j'achète et j'en suis très satisfaite. Je le recommande! Moi je m'en sert simplement pour regarder des films mais son usage est beaucoup plus varié. Mes films, sont superbes. Et ça prend beaucoup moins de place d'avoir mes films dans le disque dur (qui se connecte au WD TV LIVE PLUS) que sur les tablettes de mon armoire ;o)

Bought this for the bedroom and traveling. Plays just about anything you can throw at it. Occasionally has the odd issue with an mkv file but really only 2 crashes playing them over the 2yrs of ownership and countless videos watched. So, extremely rare that is has issues. Netflix performance is a bit flakey over wireless when using adapters so beware. But wired networks can stream files and Netflix pretty good. Netflix interface is kind of klunky. Overall a great player for playing files on USB sticks, hard drives or network shares. Not so good with Netflix and wifi scenarios.

Still using it after 3 years of purchasing. Got another one for the 2nd TV. It's that rare case when I'm absolutely happy with something :)

For the camper this has to be the most practical / portable media player. I also added a USB WIFI card and I can access my files on my network.