WD TV v2.0 vs. v1.0 Options

[WDUser]

Now that the specs for WDTV v2.0 are up on the site and even the first firmware update (Release 1.01.75 - 11/18/09) is available for the same, can anyone compare the two and tell us what exactly are the changes and new features? The few I know of are:

1) DTS audio support
2) File management capabilities (Copy, Delete)
3) DVD-like menu (Not sure of this one. What does "DVD-like" mean?)
4) Supports HDMI v1.3 whereas WDTV v1.0 only supported HDMI v1.2 (Can someone please tell me the difference between HDMI v1.2 and v1.3?)

Also, might I suggest to the mods that we rename the existing WDTV sub-forum to WDTV (1st Gen.) and create a new sub-forum for the WDTV (2nd Gen.)? That will in turn have its own Firmware sub-section similar to the one for the 1st Gen.

One last thing, the WDTV Live sub-forum is titled WDTV Live HD (WDTV2). Might I suggest we remove that WDTV2 suffix since it's bound to confuse people sooner or later (esp. when a new version of the WDTV Live comes out, 'cos WDTV2 v2 just sounds plain crazy!) Also, if WDTV Live is WDTV2, what does that make the WDTV Mini? WDTV0? WDTV0.5? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[ToJa92]

Now that the specs for WDTV v2.0 are up on the site and even the first firmware update (Release 1.01.75 - 11/18/09) is available for the same, can anyone compare the two and tell us what exactly are the changes and new features? The few I know of are:

1) DTS audio support
2) File management capabilities (Copy, Delete)
3) DVD-like menu (Not sure of this one. What does "DVD-like" mean?)
4) Supports HDMI v1.3 whereas WDTV v1.0 only supported HDMI v1.2 (Can someone please tell me the difference between HDMI v1.2 and v1.3?)

Those changes didn't change with a firmware update, it's because of the new chip + processor inside the Live. If you meant between the old first model and this, that pretty much sums it up. Altough DTS downsampling support sounds better. The old model could pass-trough DTS to a receiver.

"One last thing, the WDTV Live sub-forum is titled WDTV Live HD (WDTV2). Might I suggest we remove that WDTV2 suffix since it's bound to confuse people sooner or later (esp. when a new version of the WDTV Live comes out, 'cos WDTV2 v2 just sounds plain crazy!) Also, if WDTV Live is WDTV2, what does that make the WDTV Mini? WDTV0? WDTV0.5? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) "

Id believe WDTV Mini would be a little-brother to the WDTV, so version numbers would be irrelevant. They are not intended for the same audience as WDTV are.

[WDUser]

Those changes didn't change with a firmware update, it's because of the new chip + processor inside the Live. If you meant between the old first model and this, that pretty much sums it up. Altough DTS downsampling support sounds better. The old model could pass-trough DTS to a receiver.

Well it's pretty obvious that DTS and HDMI 1.3 support are not something a new firmware can add, and I never suggested anything like that. I would like to know what advantage HDMI 1.3 provides over 1.2 though. Also, I do think that file management capabilities and DVD menu support are things that can be added with a firmware update, if WD can be bothered to do so and not just ignore the users of the 1st Gen. WDTV.

Id believe WDTV Mini would be a little-brother to the WDTV, so version numbers would be irrelevant. They are not intended for the same audience as WDTV are.

Yeah, I meant that WDTV0/WDTV0.5 bit as a joke, mate. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) All I wanted to point out was that terming the WDTV Live as WDTV2 might be a bit confusing, especially now that we have the actual WDTV2 i.e. WDTV (2nd Gen.) available. In any case, seems the forums have got a new section for the WDTV (2nd Gen.) like I suggested, so it's fine now.

[Bobmac27]

Learn about HDMI here..

http://hometheater.about.com/od/hometheate...t/hdmifacts.htm

[WDUser]

Thanks for the link! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[HomerS]

Thanks for the link! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

u probbaly already read it but with HDMI 1.3 u can pass through higher bitrates which are necessary for HD sound systems like Dolby True HD, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS HD Master.

But i read that WDTV Live only passes through Dolby True HD and Dolby Digital Plus and "only" the DTS core sound but dont know why not also the DTS HD Master sound.

[aggelos ioannou]

Hi,
I have a problem which made me quite angry:
I have just purchased a WD-TV (from pixmania.gr)
and what I have is Generation-1 ! Of course I did not
know beforehand that there are 2 generations. What
do you think I should do? Am I not previleged to ask
them to change it for the new one?

Thanks a lot in advance...

@'

[Dawg]

Sorry I cant answer that, Ive got the same problem, just got mine from amazon yesterday and its the Gen 1 aswell, pretty sure I could send it back as they are very good but I am trying to find out about DTS/AC3 support. Can someone please tell me if the Gen 2 downsamples to stereo via the hdmi or do I need to buy the 'live'? Its a christmas gift for me mum and I just want to keep it simple for her, plug it straight into tv.

Cheers

[WDUser]

Aggelos and Dawg, you really should have researched the product first. It's so easy nowadays - everything's just a Google search away. Anyway, if possible do exchange it for a 2nd Gen., since that's able to decode 2-channel DTS and pass-through multi-channel DTS streams to your receiver (just like the 1st Gen. can pass through all DTS streams). Dawg, the 2nd Gen.'s the same as the Live except for networking, so there's nothing the Live can do with audio/video that the 2nd Gen. can't do. Aggelos, I don't think WD's gonna exchange your purchase ('cos that just doesn't make sense), so you'll have to ask at the place you got it from (which should be easy enough in Dawg's case as he can just return it to Amazon).

P.S. Do confirm the exact model no. to make sure you're really getting a 2nd Gen. player (see my sig below). You can search for the model no. in fact on Amazon and get to the page for the 2nd Gen. directly.

[Rev Drew]

do some research on them all first, with the ability to use modded firmware on the original wdtv, you may decide to keep it..

I have an original wdtv and a live and I use the original all the time, the live has been out of the box twice and used less than 3 hours total, I prefer the modded wdtv1 to it..
that's just me, read and maybe you will decide to try it too..

[Dawg]

Aggelos and Dawg, you really should have researched the product first. It's so easy nowadays - everything's just a Google search away. Anyway, if possible do exchange it for a 2nd Gen., since that's able to decode 2-channel DTS and pass-through multi-channel DTS streams to your receiver (just like the 1st Gen. can pass through all DTS streams). Dawg, the 2nd Gen.'s the same as the Live except for networking, so there's nothing the Live can do with audio/video that the 2nd Gen. can't do. Aggelos, I don't think WD's gonna exchange your purchase ('cos that just doesn't make sense), so you'll have to ask at the place you got it from (which should be easy enough in Dawg's case as he can just return it to Amazon).

P.S. Do confirm the exact model no. to make sure you're really getting a 2nd Gen. player (see my sig below). You can search for the model no. in fact on Amazon and get to the page for the 2nd Gen. directly.

Thanks for the info, I just needed to know the 2nd gen tv had dts decode, you say i should have used google to research first, I did google 2nd gen wdtv, and I got results for the 'Live' and if thats not enough just read some of the threads here, they refer to the live as the 'gen-2' aswell. Not much use doing the research when it all conflicting is it. I took a chance buying from amazon thinking it would be the latest model and I was wrong, time is tight now as I said its a christmas gift, I will search amazon for the 2nd gen and see if the model numbers match, thanks again for the clarity, its much apreciated and I wish I had posted here first.

[Dawg]

do some research on them all first, with the ability to use modded firmware on the original wdtv, you may decide to keep it..

I have an original wdtv and a live and I use the original all the time, the live has been out of the box twice and used less than 3 hours total, I prefer the modded wdtv1 to it..
that's just me, read and maybe you will decide to try it too..

Cheers Rev, its not for me, i dont want to strt looking for hacked firmware etc, I have a Tvix6500a and I am very happy with it, like i said the wdtv is for my mum who is nearly 80, she is very capable of using it but I just wanted to keep it simple, ie plug it straight into her tv, I have all the content allready but some of it is DTS, I could spend hours remuxing it all but i would rather buy the 2nd gen!

[Dawg]

Well I just ran a search on amazon for the 2nd gen wdtv, tried wdtv 2nd gen, 2nd gen wdtv, then i tried the model number as you sugested, WDBABG0000NBK-EESN, go try it, you get no results and the 'Live' version as a sugestion.

[WDUser]

Well I just ran a search on amazon for the 2nd gen wdtv, tried wdtv 2nd gen, 2nd gen wdtv, then i tried the model number as you sugested, WDBABG0000NBK-EESN, go try it, you get no results and the 'Live' version as a sugestion.

Dawg, I don't think you mentioned where you live, 'cos I guess that is the reason of all the 2nd Gen. model nos. listed in my post, you selected and searched for the EMEA (Europe, Middle-East and Africa) PAL model? Since amazon.com happens to be a North American site, it stands to reason that they carry only the Pan America NTSC model i.e. WDBABF0000NBK-NESN. Search for that and see which is the only result that turns up.

P.S. I don't suggest a site search to anyone without having done it myself first. I have better things to do really than waste my and others' precious time. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

P.P.S. If you do want the EMEA PAL model, then I'm sorry but you'll have to ask in your country (possibly WD has a presence there?) or search other online retailers that cater to your region. I assumed since you bought from Amazon that you lived in the US, but guess my assumption was wrong.

[Dawg]

Oh right, yeah I am in the UK, I bought mine from amazon.co.uk not .com, damn, interesting, does that mean we blighty's dont get the 2nd Gen? bummer. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

[WDUser]

http://wdtvhd.com/index.php?showtopic=9559

[Dawg]

http://wdtvhd.com/index.php?showtopic=9559

Cheers for that! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[Dawg]

Just posted a reply in the other thread you linked, thanks for all your help, I am truly gutted this wasnt avail when I bought my Tvix, I know the 6500 has more file support but the WD is a phenominal bargain, prob made it imposible for me to sell mine for a decent price! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/angry.gif)