Blu-Ray Competition, competition Options

[Coleman]

It looks like the WD HDTV could have some serious competition from a new JVC Blu-Ray player.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/04/25/jvc-x...0p-mkv-support/

This new player will play MKV files and be BD-Live enabled. (Not that the last point means much, I haven't been impressed with BD-Live features so far.)

If this trend continues, how relevent will the WD HDTV be in one year???

[neverlift]

For now the WD TV is very relevant since for now its pretty much the best thing for your money that plays these file formats. I wait for the day they build this little unit right into the tv. As far as BD-Live, its complete shit! I bought the Sony 550 and tried out the BD-Live features and wow what a total piece of shit that was. I have since sold my 550 and went with the WD TV for now. I do think the WD TV is in for a run for its money, but like I said earlier its the cheapest way to get those certain files to play in full hd on your tv.

[Organized]

It's always hard to say which way technology will go. We were supposed to be using video phones but that never happened. I think the idea WDTV won't fade, but whether or not it's Western Digital rolling out the next big media player remains to be seen. I can tell you I've enjoyed my WDTV and couldn't see replacing it anytime soon!

[Coleman]

Another plus in the WD HDTV's corner is that you can re-use the same USB drive over and over. The creation of CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Ray discs require raw materials and energy. Transfering files only takes energy. That was one of the selling features I gave my wife. No more burning shows to a disc, storing it for a while, and then eventually throwing it away. It is all behind the scenes digitally with the WD HDTV. Now if I could only convince my wife we need a new hard drive to store all these files on.

I personnaly want to see these two technologies work side by side. I still plan on buying new Blu-Ray discs. (Lost Season one and two is coming out soon on Blu-Ray.) But before a show is available in that format, I want to watch it shortly after its initial broadcast in the best quaility possible.

Western Digital definetly has a lead in the market I would imagine. It made quite the buzz when it first came out as it was quite the breakthru products. I just worry about others filling the technology void between your television and your computer, eliminating the need for a USB device. Which is ultimately what Western Digital wants to sell.

[poopcicle]

Wdtv has a bonus with its ease of use, cost and portability! Oppo digital is releasing their first blu ray player soon and it is an amazing box! I have an oppo now that upconverts my sd plays sacd/dvda via 7.1 analog outs and is divx ultra through a front usb port! the new blu bdp-83 builds on that and then some! (i will have one soon to give my ps3 a rest in game only land! ) http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-83/ . overall I think the wdtv can compete with the best of them, its a simple box that can be flashed to handle a small set of variables where as dvd players/game consoles and what not always have other facets and modes which complicate updates and quite often overshadow simple file compatibility! either way I love them all!