USB Hub, Which one should I get Options

[PolarCap]

I seen a couple guys chatting about a USB hub, I tried one I had but I got a funny error from my
usb drive "drive cannot be congregated" ?????

I was wondering if I'm doing something wrong or if there is a firmware patch or if I need a specific hub

Thanks

[Rev Drew]

the latest firmware seems to have disabled USB hub use, you may have to use an older version. Some of the 'hacked' firmwares do have support in the latest version, what are you using, hopefully we can point you in the right direction.

[PolarCap]

Im using the 1.02.10 ver (I think)
The Hub is a Belkin (ac powered) 7-port

[neverlift]

Im using the 1.02.10 ver (I think)
The Hub is a Belkin (ac powered) 7-port

Hi PolarCap, Welcome to the forums. I would downgrade that firmware and then try your hub again. The version 1.02.10 is a beta version anyhow. Follow these easy steps to get you back to the offical firmware HERE. Also grab 1.02.07 HERE. Let us know how you make out.

Cheers!

[arrakis]

the latest firmware seems to have disabled USB hub use, you may have to use an older version. Some of the 'hacked' firmwares do have support in the latest version, what are you using, hopefully we can point you in the right direction.

Why would this happen? can't you sell more WD drives if you can connect more to the device. It seems anti-productive.

Does the lastest firmware on the WDTV Live allow usb hubs?

Get it together WD, even if it's not a documented feature, it's a feature that people choose your device for. There is more competition on the market now. Players like those from LG are starting to incorporate WiFi built in. Maybe not the same price point, but sought after feature is worth it to many consumers.

[WDUser]

Yeah, nobody here quite understood why of all things WD would go and remove features their players supported with older firmware. I mean, they could have said that "it's an unsupported feature so don't come to us with bug reports re. this" and still people would have been happy, but to remove it? Weird, simply weird. However, if one were feeling generous, one might give them the benefit of doubt and say that maybe disabling the feature was a mistake caused due to an oversight by a firmware developer?

I think the WDLXTV and WDLXTV-Live custom firmwares re-enable this feature, so you can try those if you really feel like it.

[csutherl]

Can anyone confirm the new WDLXTV firmwares re-enable the hub option? Any using it with a hub?

[WDUser]

The pages for WDLXTV and WDLXTV-Live on b-rad's site seem to indicate that hubs work, but do read the comments. People seem to be facing problems getting NTFS drives to work with hubs, whereas FAT32 or EXT2/3 drives seem to be recognised fine. YMMV of course. Best thing is to try it out for yourself and let us know the results so others can benefit as well.

[spernst]

i'm a bit late to the party here....has this issue ever been resolved? i hate fat32 and have over 3 terabytes of movies on 2 harddrives. i love my stupid little moviesheets and don't want to give them up by removing the custom fw. any advice?

[WDUser]

@spernst: As mentioned above, WDLXTV re-enables USB hub support that was deliberately disabled by WD in their official FW, but since it's an unofficial hack, not all hubs are supported. You'll have to try a few before you find one that works.

P.S. I deleted your off-topic hub-related post from your moviesheets thread. I guess you found this thread later.

[spernst]

Yeah, sorry about that...so just to be clear, i don't have to enable anything in the soo customs file?
for anyone else searching this topic, i'm using a gen2 with wdlxtv 4.1.9-6. i'm attempting to read multiple wd my book external harddrives. looks like i've got some trial and error ahead, so i'll post some results on the hubs that do/don't work as i get them in this thread. if anyone else already has some info on working hubs, feel free to spare my wallet (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
*first attempt...no good:( Belkin 4 port ac power model#F4U016. This will get expensive methinks...

[WDUser]

No specific hub-related options exist for you to configure. If it works, it works. Also, be sure to use a powered hub, as unpowered hubs have a very low success rate (if at all they do work).

[crankydog]

I am running the latest firmware and the hubs wont work
on hard drives but the hub will support a wireless keyboard
I think the wireless key board is an upgrade
and I believe someone made a mistake
So u can have 2 hard drives plus a wireless keyboard connected to the wd tv
I am happy with the machine
But i have 3 complaints
Since it is sposed to be a media center
it does not support flv
there is the problem with the usb hub
it also will not play copy protected dvds
To play a copy protected dvd u have to use the network ,Share a drive ,and run copy protection removal software on your computer
Does this not encourage people to pirate
I am not sure if this legal .Since u are not actually copying the movie but simply bypassing the copy protection
I don't know?
Otherwise
U need and extra device (dvd player ) connected to your tv
Just what everyone wants extra power costs plus another bloody remote control
MY lounge chair is starting to look like a space shuttle lol
anyway I guess maybe one day some one will have a brain and fix all this stuff
regards
Gary
Ps this may not be appropriate to this forum but my dad wants a media player but hp are offering one at about the same price .they say it does support flv
I know nothing about the machine but are going to try it since wd seem to flatly refuse to add flv support
if wd had addressed some of what their customers want I would not be trying a hp as I am happy with wd
My brother wants one 2 but he also is going to wait till we see what the hp can do or not do HP do tell u up front that they don't support copy protected dvd
wd just gives u a garbled screen
Please advise me if I am doing anything wrong as I have no wish to run a product down because I am doing something stupid
Flv support is a big factor in the decision to try another brand

[WDUser]

@crankydog: As mentioned above, USB hubs are not support by WD. Some powered hubs work with custom WDLXTV firmware installed.

You're correct in that copy-protected content is not supported. As far as encouraging piracy goes, well for sure all manufacturers know that such players are not used solely for playing legally purchased content (plus even ripping/backing up store-bought DVDs or BRs may be illegal depending on where you live). But what do you expect them to do, stop selling their wares? That might be like stopping the sale of blank drives or discs because they can be used for storing pirated content.

As per the manual, FLV support on the Live/Live Plus/Live Hub is limited to those files that use the H.264 codec for video. You can check your files using MediaInfo. If you're waiting for Sigma/WD to add support for other codecs in the FLV container, I suggest you buy another player.

[gr8throba]

No hub support.......just stupid.........Xtreamer Prodigy ,Popcorn Hour , Seagate media player , Kaiser Bass media player , just to name a few new players out there. Talk about killing the goose that layed the golden egg , WD has dropped the ball on a market they had cornered. I'll be jumping ship as soon as I figure out which competitor has the best product with hub support.

[Rev Drew]

you go girl, they dropped USB hub support 2 years ago ...
you should get an apple tv, I hear they are grrrreat, in all of their 720p maimum glory (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)