As promised, here is a quick review re: the best new and improved features in the latest (1.02.07) WD TV HD Media Player firmware update.
First and foremost, the addition of video thumbnails really takes the WD TV to the next level. The whole (or at least the main) point of digital video is convenience, so not being able to browse one’s movie library by DVD cover (i.e. visually) was a major let down…until now.
Getting thumbnails (.JPG files-only) to show up for self-contained video files (.MKV, for example) is easy: make sure the video file has its own folder (w/ the movie’s name, ideally) > put a .JPG image into the same folder as the video file > done.
Adding thumbnails to full DVD rips (.VOBs) requires one extra step: you must rename the .JPG file you want to use “folder.jpg” (literally, name the image file “folder” not the name of the folder) > drop “folder.jpg” into the main folder (the one that contains “AUDIO_TS” and “VIDEO_TS” folders) > done.
Now all you have to do is go into the WD TV video settings and select thumbnail view (as opposed to list view).
In addition to the new and greatly improved thumbnail support, the WD TV will now “spin down” any connected USB hard drive when you shut the WD TV (itself) off (whereas before, it would keep spinning), which is good for the life of the hard drive (and should lower power consumption). Also, subtitle support has been improved, but note: the default is to have embedded subtitles on (you can change this in the settings menu). That’s really it for now, as far as new/improved features are concerned. Oh, and supposedly overall navigation has been improved, but I never had a problem with it to begin with.
It’s a very positive sign that Western Digital appears to be listening to consumer complaints and requests. However, there are still a number of major features that could/should be added in future updates (take the poll below), including:
- VOB (full DVD rips) support (i.e. access to root/title menus, chapter navigation, etc)
- .MKV chapter (navigation) support
- USB WiFi adapter support for streaming media (hacked firmware has apparently already achieved this, thus showing its possible)
- Adding custom themes/backgrounds/screensavers support (there is a hacked OS X theme floating around, and an unofficial theme contest already out there)
- 3rd party/universal remote support
Assuming WD continues to extend the WD TV’s capabilities (and following through on customer feedback), the digital-media-sky is the limit for this little HD box that could.
What should Western Digital include in future WD TV firmware updates?
- VOB (full DVD rips) support (63%, 348 Votes)
- USB WiFi adapter support (50%, 277 Votes)
- Power "kill" support (when WD TV is off, no power to attached USB peripherals) (40%, 223 Votes)
- .MKV chapter support (29%, 161 Votes)
- Show more or less thumbnails (of various size) (23%, 128 Votes)
- Custom themes/screensavers support (-105%, 118 Votes)
Total Voters: 551
Loading ...If you have other WD TV additions you’d like to see that haven’t been included, please leave a comment.
Thanks for the info. Question does WD have an official complaints / requests site? I have multiple ISO files that have multiple tracks (like season DVDs, show 1,2,3) but will only play the first show… like to find out if they are working on this :>
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thanks
@Mark: Thanks for your comment! In re: to a complaints/request site, I actually emailed WD a few days back suggesting such a site/forum.
Until something like that appears, I’ve had decent success contacting WD here.
Hope that helps!
I would add as a feature: file management (delete / move / etc)
For additional features, think being able to increase the size of DVD art work would be great.
I also like the idea of ‘Custom themes/screensavers support’ but did not vote for it above as is only a cool to have but not a must have. I think some of the others would be (and yes the art work size would also fall under a only cool to have but some of the art work is just hard to see
)
As for the noted ‘Universal remote support’, not sure what this is in reference to as as I have already setup my Logitech Harmony remote with my WD TV and it works great.
I also liked the idea ‘Ha’ noted about basic file management as I keep a area of un-watched movies and after I watch one would be great not have to hookup to my PC just to move some files around :>.
@mark: Thanks for the heads up re: remotes. Will remove from the poll asap.
Found this in the WD TV user manual:
“Can I use use a universal remote control with the WD TV HD media player?
You can use most popular universal remote control devices such as the Logitech
Harmony models”
Ok I was just reading a review on ‘Popcorn Hour Networked Media Tank’ (http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/08/popcorn-hour-networked-media-tank-review/) not very impressed with the Popcorn-Hour for the most part other than the full internet streaming interface and that it will run ISO DVD menus… but what I did find very, very cool is a comment to the review by ‘alanh’… linking over to Movie JukeBox (http://code.google.com/p/moviejukebox/)… now a interface like this for our WD TV would just make this rock the world for my family!!!
Anyway… I’m now going to add to my vote for ‘Power ‘kill’ Support’ as I for the first time hooked up a non-powered external to my ‘WD TV’, ya… quite annoying!
BTW.. my wife noted that the after I installed the most current official firm ware upgrade that ISO files with mult tracks (show 1,2,3) now works to some extent, it chains them together now… bringing into light another issue that 8x FF is just to slow when your trying to pass and hour + of a show….
Thanks for the info on the WD TV. One question- is there a size requirement for the jpegs, or do they automatically get resized by the WD TV? Thanks.
@jIM: My pleasure. I haven’t run into any size issues, but generally something in the neighborhood of (roughly) 300×445 or larger seems to work well.
However, I’ve yet to spend enough time to figure out the exact ratio to fill up the WD TV’s thumbnail placeholder entirely…but the device will resize images to fit (while maintaining the original file’s ratio).
cheers!
I tried to use the thumbnails but it doesn’t work for me. I have created a test folder with a .mkv file and a .jpg file but I do not see the thumbnail. Also tried it with a folder with a .iso file and a jpg also no luck. I have the thumnail function on. Any idea how I can fix this? I have the newest firmware
Thumbnails must be the exact same name (seems to be case sensitive) and if the ratio is to scud from a normal looking DVD cover it will not convert it. Also note if you want the pictures to show up in a decent time frame keep the files very, very, very small (talking 70kb or less) and it should work for you.
Pic example (http://www.movies.ie/uploads/attachments/Powder%20Blue.jpg)
300 x 445 or 332 x 500 seems to fit perfectly.
Thumbnails issue…seems if you don’t have a video of some type in a directory the master directory will not pickup the related .jpg file.
Example: I have a multi season directory area Nip_Tuck then I have Nip_Tuck_S1, Nip_Tuck_S1… but no video in the main Nip_Tuck area so my Nip_Tuck.jpg will not display at the directory above Nip_Tuck…though when I’m in Nip_Tuck area all my season directories display the jpg just fine.
It needs DVD-like menu for iso files nad video ts files.
Also, in All Videos it doesn’t need to show all the individual vob files.
Looks like WD TV may get a run for the money… along with Roku…
Check this Mvio Ultio box…
http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/2009/06/25/mvix-ultio-1080p-upnp-home-theater-media-player/
If a universal remote will work, what is the 5 digit code that you need to enter into the remote?
I’m returning the unit I purchased, $99 WD TV. It does not support chapters in ISO files and does not send audio down the HDMI cable when playing MKV files. Both of these are must haves.
@Frank: FYI, I used HDMI and have no issues with audio when playing MKV.