New Toy - WD TV

thsmith
thsmith Posts: 6,082
edited October 2009 in Electronics
I picked up a WD TV this weekend to listen to some MFSL FLAC files I have on a HDD. I use the HDMI out to my AVR and the optical out to my DAC to Adcom GFP-750.

Sound was amazing, the only down side is I need a 12v trigger to shut the WD TV down as the laser keeps my PS Audio DAC on even after the WD TV is shut off.

Ripped a few DVDs to try it the video/audio over HDMI to AVR. Great picture quality, no DTS but I can live with DD.

For $89 not a bad little toy.

It is small enough along with a Buffalo miniturbo 500g HDD I could take on trips and use in a hotel room or relatives house.
Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
Post edited by thsmith on

Comments

  • dvran
    dvran Posts: 280
    edited September 2009
    I'd like to have something like that setup, but I'm totally new to the HD setup. Is that a Western Digital HD TV setup?
    ~Dan

    Projector: Epson 705HD on 106" DaLite
    TV: Samsung 50" Plasma PN50B550
    Receiver: Onkyo 607
    Fronts: Polk 1000i
    Center: Polk Csi40
    Rears: Polk Fxi30
    Sub: Velodyne Minivee 10
    PS3 and Xbox
  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited September 2009
    dvran wrote: »
    I'd like to have something like that setup, but I'm totally new to the HD setup. Is that a Western Digital HD TV setup?

    Not sure I understand your question. The WD TV can handle BR formated files if that is your question. It will play just about anything you through at it as long as you can get it on a HDD.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
  • Marty913
    Marty913 Posts: 760
    edited September 2009
    It doesn't support DTS down-mix but it will pass it through to the receiver so that's good. I love mine although I did have to put a power strip on it. It seems to want to keep coming back on (at least the USB drive). Great little box for the money. The 2nd version is due out any week now and it looks like Seagate has one ready to launch.
    Sony 60'' SXRD 1080p
    Amp = Carver AV-705THX 5-Channel
    Processor = NAD T747
    Panasonic BD35 Blu-Ray
    Main = SDA-1C Studio with RD0s, spikes, XO rebuild, rings, I/C upgrade
    Center=Polk CS10, Surround = Athena Dipoles, Sub= Boston 12HO
    Music/Video Streaming = Netgear NEO550
    TT = Audio Technica
  • DeusExa
    DeusExa Posts: 491
    edited September 2009
    Have one here. Great for the price. My DVD collection is now collecting dust. Incredible portability, as well as amazing picture quality, as well as DD 5.1 decoding (no DTS). Now only if the WDTV2 can bitstream TrueHD/DTS-HDMA, and the 3rd party wifi, well, isn't 3rd party anymore...
  • dvran
    dvran Posts: 280
    edited September 2009
    So this is basically a wireless hard drive that stores all ripped media to it, correct? Does it have built in wireless or does it hook up to the TV set? Just curious because it does sound like a media center.
    ~Dan

    Projector: Epson 705HD on 106" DaLite
    TV: Samsung 50" Plasma PN50B550
    Receiver: Onkyo 607
    Fronts: Polk 1000i
    Center: Polk Csi40
    Rears: Polk Fxi30
    Sub: Velodyne Minivee 10
    PS3 and Xbox
  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited September 2009
    Nothing wireless about it. What ever content you can put on a HDD it can play.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
  • DeusExa
    DeusExa Posts: 491
    edited September 2009
    It doesn't have wifi at the moment (or any other networking capabilities), but 3rd-party development have managed to install working wifi on it. Some NMTs have wifi, though (hence the Network in "Network Media Tank"). Pretty much, you have to move external HDDs around. I don't mind, since wifi is nowhere near HD streaming levels...
  • Marty913
    Marty913 Posts: 760
    edited September 2009
    dvran wrote: »
    So this is basically a wireless hard drive that stores all ripped media to it, correct? Does it have built in wireless or does it hook up to the TV set? Just curious because it does sound like a media center.

    As mentioned, no wire or wireless unless you use the hacked firmware. The preferred hookup is HDMI to TV or Receiver. It does not have component. It does have optical out and two USB ports as inputs for hard drives or USB keys. It has it's shortcomings but for $90 it's a steal (IMO).

    The 2nd version (not really available yet) has wired at least.
    Sony 60'' SXRD 1080p
    Amp = Carver AV-705THX 5-Channel
    Processor = NAD T747
    Panasonic BD35 Blu-Ray
    Main = SDA-1C Studio with RD0s, spikes, XO rebuild, rings, I/C upgrade
    Center=Polk CS10, Surround = Athena Dipoles, Sub= Boston 12HO
    Music/Video Streaming = Netgear NEO550
    TT = Audio Technica
  • DeusExa
    DeusExa Posts: 491
    edited September 2009
    Marty913 wrote: »

    The 2nd version (not really available yet) has wired at least.

    Now that's what's keeping me at AVSforum Streamer subforum...
  • DeusExa
    DeusExa Posts: 491
    edited October 2009
    WDTV Live Out!
  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited October 2009
    Looks nice but at newegg it is rated 3 eggs with many common complaints. The WD TV works very well for its designed purpose.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs