WDTV Live Alternative/Replacement ideas ?

Click_It on 22/05/2015 - 11:37

I'm not sure if OB Forums is the best place for this question but I'll give it a go knowing many of you own one of these.

I've had mine for 5 years and they've been nothing short of brilliant in that time. However I feel technology is getting ahead of them now, as I dabble with 4K video (and even rendering 4K back down to 1080p) the WDTV either can't read it or it's unwatchable. The thing is I was about to buy another WDTV soon but now I'm thinking I will sell what I have and move on to the next thing.

Problem is, what is the "next thing"?

I don't want AIO computers, just a simple media player to replace what the WDTV has done all these years.

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • pax on 22/05/2015 - 12:12

    I assume you don't have a smart TV. I would be inclined to post your requirements for a device, as something like a Roku might suit you, or any device which talks to a Plex Media Server.

  • pjetson on 22/05/2015 - 12:15

    just a simple media player to replace what the WDTV has done all these years.

    But you want it to play 4K?

    I have a Fetch TV box, and it seems to play everything that I've thrown at it, although I don't have any 4K video to test with.

    • Click_It on 22/05/2015 - 12:34

      Well I've slowly moved to 4K for my family videos, I know sounds silly but I take a lot of them. What I generally do is record in 4K and then render down to 1080p as there are 4X the pixels to stabilize video etc and still have the end (1080p) product look clean.

      But WDTV freaks a little playing these. Choppy, sound goes, comes back, goes, pauses, thinks about it, plays … you get the idea :)

      I do have a smart TV but always found the WDTV to be much smoother than stuffing around the the TV Smarts.

      Maybe I just settle with WDTV for awhile longer and accept the limitations mentioned, it'll only be family videos I have no intention of downloading anything 4K.

      The only other issue I have with WDTV is, my collection is in the 1000's and WDTV is clumsy finding what you want, no search feature makes it very slow sometimes, but I've all but accepted that.

      • spackbace on 22/05/2015 - 12:52

        I'm still waiting for a good replacement as well. The new Nexus player falls down in a few aspects according to reviews, but it sounds like its the first batch of what should be a very good thing. I kinda like the inbuilt microphone on the remote to do voice searching.

        I'd say to do what you can for maybe 6 months and look for something around Christmas maybe, just keep an eye on the new devices coming out.

        With 4K, would an XB1 or PS4 do the trick?

        • infinite on 09/09/2015 - 20:50

          LOL, good grief no. The X1 and PS4 cant even play their own "next gen" games in native 1080p at 60fps, they wouldn't have a hope in hell of 4K or a decent TV / PC level standard of visual or processing.

        • spackbace on 09/09/2015 - 21:08

          @infinite:

          Nearly 4 months later, thanks for your insights lol

  • snuke on 22/05/2015 - 14:05
    +1

    http://shield.nvidia.com/android-tv

    Not listed but confirmed compatible, Netflix 4K.

    Processor
    NVIDIA® Tegra® X1 processor 256-core Maxwell™ GPU with 3GB RAM

    Video Features
    4K Ultra-HD ready with 4K playback at 4K 60 FPS (VP9, H265, H264). 4K capture at 4K 30 (H264, H265)

    Audio
    7.1 and 5.1 surround sound pass through over HDMI
    High-resolution audio playback up to 24-bit/192 kHz over HDMI and USB
    High-resolution audio up-sample to 24-bit/192 kHz over USB

    Storage* 16 GB
    *Portion of storage occupied by system software.

    Wireless
    802.11ac 2x2 MIMO 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi
    Bluetooth 4.1/BLE

    Interfaces
    Gigabit Ethernet
    HDMI 2.0
    Two USB 3.0 (Type A)
    Micro-USB 2.0
    MicroSD slot
    IR Receiver (compatible with Logitech Harmony)

    Software Updates – SHIELD software upgrades directly from NVIDIA

    Gaming Features
    NVIDIA GRID™ game streaming service
    NVIDIA Share
    NVIDIA GameStream™

    Power 40W power adapter (5-10W typical consumption)

    Weight and Size
    Weight: 23 oz / 654 g
    Height: 5.1 in / 130 mm
    Width: 8.3 in / 210 mm
    Depth: 1.0 in / 25 mm

    Operating System Android TV™, Google Cast™ Ready

    Included Apps
    Google Play
    YouTube
    Google Play Movies & TV
    Google Play Music
    Photos & Videos
    PLEX

    • Click_It on 22/05/2015 - 17:47

      This thing looks amazing, sounds like it'll be expensive though. I'll keep an eye on it none the less!

      • Click_It on 22/05/2015 - 20:08

        Although on second thoughts, overkill for what I need. Awesome but overkill :)

      • snuke on 22/05/2015 - 21:24

        UD $199 with game controller. Hopefully it will be released without controller for $150 or less.

  • airzone on 22/05/2015 - 19:38
    +1

    Have you considered a raspberry pi with plex?

    • Click_It on 22/05/2015 - 20:08

      I'm going to look into that and will get back to you :)

    • roadsign on 23/05/2015 - 12:27
      +3

      Make sure it's a RPi2

  • Click_It on 13/06/2015 - 11:53

    An update…

    I'm now seriously close to pulling the trigger on the nVidia Shield. It's not cheap ($199 USD + possible accessories)
    http://www.amazon.com/NVIDIA-SHIELD/dp/B00U33Q940/ref=sr_tnr…

    But it just looks bloody amazing and has decent game support too which helps me justify the price, we're not huge gamers in this house but having a little fun on a cold rainy day would be good :)

    If it hasn't already been done, I think a separate thread for the NVIDIA SHIELD is probably in order, lots to discuss about it.

    • snuke on 13/06/2015 - 17:15

      I have had mine since Tuesday, loving it, very powerful, breezing through everything. Great support from Kodi team and Nvidia as well. They are all ready developing this based on requests within the first few days.
      WP thread here for lots of local feedback - http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=2379403

      • Click_It on 13/06/2015 - 17:51

        Awesome snuke, thanks for chiming in.

        I created an OB thread here: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/198336

        But I don't know how successful it'll be. In the meantime I'm heading over to the WP thread, I have a few questions before making the purchase so hopefully my answers will be found there :)

        EDIT: 1 question for you, did you get the $30 Google credit? I'm half way through the WP thread, there's talk non-US accounts don't get it?

        • snuke on 13/06/2015 - 21:36
          +1

          yes got credit, answered in more detail on your new thread.

  • lukeloop on 06/09/2015 - 17:15

    does anyone lnow if the wdtv can play uncomressed avi files. I captured home videos in avi format. One hour equals 15 gig avi file. I have them on a 1 terabyte drive but they will not play on a samsumg tv. Either I need to chnage the file format which I dont want to have to do as I have 70 files or was hoping it would play on a wdtv. Also I dont know which portable hard drives are supported I am using a seagate at the moment.Is there a better option. Where I want to use itthere isnointernet access too.

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