Wd Tv

[Nemo128]

I do a lot of embedded systems design and such for work, and I've been curious about the Western Digital WD TV to use as a media streaming device from a server.

It's basically a media playing device that works through USB. Some sources online say a mod exists to make it work with a USB->Ethernet adaptor and some USB key firmware loading.

I'm considering hacking one apart completely and redoing it at the hardware level to allow the same. I'm looking to accomplish this for very little increased cost and would like to pass the end results on to whoever is interested in attempting it themselves.

Hopefully I'll begin this project within a couple days. I'll be posting progress for anyone interested.

 

[bigred7078]

Its an ok unit. It does the job, but the user interface is slow and laggy, especially with album artwork. Honestly i think money is better spent on a squeezebox, appleTV, or something that works a little smoother overall. Not really worth the mod IMO.

 

[Nemo128]

Its an ok unit. It does the job, but the user interface is slow and laggy, especially with album artwork. Honestly i think money is better spent on a squeezebox, appleTV, or something that works a little smoother overall. Not really worth the mod IMO.

After some testing, I see it has speed issues with NTFS formatted hard drives. If you install the ext3 (Linux file system) driver for Windows, and transfer your files to it, the speed increase is much better.

Squeezebox only deals with audio files only, so it's not even comparable. AppleTV is way more expensive. This solution would be equal in video/audio performance to an HTPC for way cheaper in a way smaller form factor.

Right now I'm working on writing a Linux driver for a USB bridge cable. It'll be a cleaner solution than what I've seen being worked on @ AH.com now. Updates soon hopefully.

 

[bigred7078]

After some testing, I see it has speed issues with NTFS formatted hard drives. If you install the ext3 (Linux file system) driver for Windows, and transfer your files to it, the speed increase is much better.

Squeezebox only deals with audio files only, so it's not even comparable. AppleTV is way more expensive. This solution would be equal in video/audio performance to an HTPC for way cheaper in a way smaller form factor.

Right now I'm working on writing a Linux driver for a USB bridge cable. It'll be a cleaner solution than what I've seen being worked on @ AH.com now. Updates soon hopefully.

i got the AppleTV for $100 more than the WD. IMO way better device with alot more capabilities.

 

[Nextlevelaudio]

OP anything further on this? I have the WD unit and would be great to improve its usefullness.....

 

[krzywica]

Popcorn Hour

Its an ok unit. It does the job, but the user interface is slow and laggy, especially with album artwork. Honestly i think money is better spent on a squeezebox, appleTV, or something that works a little smoother overall. Not really worth the mod IMO.

What you need is a Popcorn Hour. They will do and play everything and support both internal, external via USB, and pretty much every network protocol. Up to 1080p and it supports the new HD audio formats and outputs though HDMI. This thing is truly amazing.

 

[Nemo128]

Popcorn Hour is fine, for $215 + shipping. Plus, there have been numerous reliability problems reported with it.

The WDTV work is progressing well through the AVSforum thread and the wiki. I've been testing a current build by a poster named b-rad and it works great. The overall package so far, at a cost of $112 and equal performance to the PCH-A110 (Popcorn Hour), is most excellent indeed. I'd say this thing is better than the other solutions, in terms of cost, results, and fun in modifying.

For someone that likes working on Linux, it'd be a great project to take on. So far it's going great.

 

[krzywica]

The overall package so far, at a cost of $112 and equal performance to the PCH-A110 (Popcorn Hour), is most excellent indeed. I'd say this thing is better than the other solutions, in terms of cost, results, and fun in modifying.

Unless you have a central networked storage location in your house and want to use that for all your content. In which case the WD unit is useless.

 

[Nemo128]

Um... network hacked. k thnx. That was the whole point of this thread. And that's exactly how I'm using it now.

 

[Nemo128]

OP anything further on this? I have the WD unit and would be great to improve its usefullness.....

Yes, network connection via USB Ethernet adaptor is fully working. Wifi USB adaptor has just been implemented. Custom backgrounds, DHCP over ethernet, FTP server for attached storage devices, telnet for command execution all work. I'm having much fun with it now.

I was able to get the best wired adaptor from buy.com for $11.xx by signing up for some stupid deal and cancelling in 7 days. Was good for a $25 off coupon.

This thing works AMAZING now.

 

[krzywica]

Yes, network connection via USB Ethernet adaptor is fully working. Wifi USB adaptor has just been implemented. Custom backgrounds, DHCP over ethernet, FTP server for attached storage devices, telnet for command execution all work. I'm having much fun with it now.

I was able to get the best wired adaptor from buy.com for $11.xx by signing up for some stupid deal and cancelling in 7 days. Was good for a $25 off coupon.

This thing works AMAZING now.

So your using a USB to RJ45?

 

[Nemo128]

So your using a USB to RJ45?

http://www.buy.com/prod/cp-technologies-usb-gigabit-ethernet-adapter-cp-tech-mobilcon-usb-0201/q/loc/101/204419883.html

With a new firmware uploaded via USB key, the adaptor works. This thing, and the Popcorn Hour (which uses the same exact chipset for AV processing, hence equal power), are just Linux devices. I don't believe in local storage, it should all be over network, and the size/cost/heat output/warranty/big manufacturer support of this box makes it very awesome.

I loved the Popcorn Hour, truly did. But its size, cost, and reliability issues made me feel a better solution was needed. This thing, with network capability, is exactly that for now... until the nVidia Ion nettops.

 

[krzywica]

http://www.buy.com/prod/cp-technologies-usb-gigabit-ethernet-adapter-cp-tech-mobilcon-usb-0201/q/loc/101/204419883.html

With a new firmware uploaded via USB key, the adaptor works. This thing, and the Popcorn Hour (which uses the same exact chipset for AV processing, hence equal power), are just Linux devices. I don't believe in local storage, it should all be over network, and the size/cost/heat output/warranty/big manufacturer support of this box makes it very awesome.

I loved the Popcorn Hour, truly did. But its size, cost, and reliability issues made me feel a better solution was needed. This thing, with network capability, is exactly that for now... until the nVidia Ion nettops.

Nice. Thanks a lot I wasn't aware of this! So does this use the same NMT OS?

 

[Nemo128]

Yeah, it's literally the same as the PCH. Some people even tried loading the PCH firmware onto it and it worked fine, without a couple of the internal features the PCH has.

But now we can add wired or wireless network, and they implemented PureFTPd into it. If desired, you can FTP files to an attached HDD from your PC.

Me, I want full network access to my 2TB RAID5. Finally! But, I'm still anticipating Ion nettops.

I hope people here can see this device as another cheap and easy alternative to HTPCs for media. For gaming, ha, wait till Ion.

 

[krzywica]

Yeah, it's literally the same as the PCH. Some people even tried loading the PCH firmware onto it and it worked fine, without a couple of the internal features the PCH has.

But now we can add wired or wireless network, and they implemented PureFTPd into it. If desired, you can FTP files to an attached HDD from your PC.

Me, I want full network access to my 2TB RAID5. Finally! But, I'm still anticipating Ion nettops.

I hope people here can see this device as another cheap and easy alternative to HTPCs for media. For gaming, ha, wait till Ion.

Yeah I have a lot of storage too (4.5TB RAID5 see sig) and 85% of what I have is HD media (4TB). I'm keeping my eye peeled for sales on the Seagate 1.5's so I can fully populate my RAID controller. I have an HTPC and its great, but I am planning on getting 2 units for the master and guest bedrooms in my house that are capable of HD network playback and the PH looked to be the best solution to date. Maybe I will have to hold off for this Ion of which you speak.

 

[Nemo128]

Maybe I will have to hold off for this Ion of which you speak.

The Ion... ooooohhh the Ion... I must have.

You can google it if you want some info on it. IMHO, it will turn the HTPC scene upside down. Especially for people who like NAS or full server setups for their media.

 

[krzywica]

The Ion... ooooohhh the Ion... I must have.

You can google it if you want some info on it. IMHO, it will turn the HTPC scene upside down. Especially for people who like NAS or full server setups for their media.

Yeah the Ion looks tasty. It does exactly what I would want.....I think the Acer model might be even better with the Air wand and being able to mount it to the back of a monitor is a brilliant idea.

Does the WD output the new HD audio formats? DTS-HD and the DD counterpart?

 

[Nemo128]

Yeah the Ion looks tasty. It does exactly what I would want.....I think the Acer model might be even better with the Air wand and being able to mount it to the back of a monitor is a brilliant idea.

Does the WD output the new HD audio formats? DTS-HD and the DD counterpart?

Well the Ion is just the chipset. The Acer will use the Ion chipset. I wish someone would make an exact copy of the nVidia reference design.

I can test when I get home if you want, I'm not sure.

 

[krzywica]

Well the Ion is just the chipset. The Acer will use the Ion chipset. I wish someone would make an exact copy of the nVidia reference design.

I can test when I get home if you want, I'm not sure.

Yeah that would be great. The Popcorn Hour is supposed to support the new formats but I will find out this weekend as my friend is bringing his over for some testing as I just got a receiver that will decode the new formats.....it would be awesome if the WD unit supported them....

 

[Joeteck]

I'll tell you what I've been doing. I bought three HP T5720 thin clients for around $100 bucks. Upgraded the RAM to 1Gig, and increased the Flash drive to 8Gig, and re-flashed XP Embedded to the new drive. I then bought the 2TB version of this and set it up as RAID 1, so 1 TB of SPACE for movies. I convert all of my movies to Divx. and stream from it very nicely..