New User to the forum :-), WDTVLIVE Options

[Chrisgee04]

Hi all im new to the site and im looking for advice , tips ect im thinking of purchasing either the WD TV LIVE , or the WD TV LIVE HUB as i recenetly purchased a samsung bluray home cinema system which can play mkv files ect but when streaming via my usb hdd its very sluggish and the voice doesn't match the film (possibly the software on the system) so looking at one of these 2 items as my main media player .

Any tips ect would be great thanks.

Chris.

[Rev Drew]

welcome to the forum.

as for what media player to get, I would not recommend the Live Hub or the Live Streaming.

WD tightened up the security of the firmware to prevent homebrew development, they can tongue kiss the south end of a north facing moose.

If you want to get the original Live or even the Live Plus, well then your in luck, custom firmware means lots of extra goodies
as for the live hub and live streaming, leave them on the shelf.

[WDUser]

Adding to what Rev said, the non-availability of custom FW (that can really open your eyes to the possibilities of the device) is a real deal-breaker for some when it comes to purchasing these latest models (Live Hub and SMP). Of course, I do know people who are perfectly happy with official FW, although on that front as well I've been more than disappointed over the years with WD and its lack of basic QA while releasing updates that have on occasion even bricked their own players.

I suggest you carefully compare the other offerings in the market (of which there are many), and if you do want to choose between these two, the Hub has an HDD inside but no WiFI (external dongle required), whereas the SMP has the latter but lacks the former. Both can be networked via ethernet cable of course. Your choice.