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WDTV Live Plus
An updated US version of the WDTV Live based on the Sigma 8654 chipset and with added Netflix support.
Lack of DVD menu support was the big drawback of the original Live so fixing this is a massive plus. Adding Netflix gives (paid+legal) access to a wealth of content. The chipset used is essentially the same as the Live (Sigma 8654 vs. 8655) so giving wide format support and great decoding performance. As with the original Live, unofficial firmware is available giving enhanced features. See links below.
The original WDTV Live was a great player with one big flaw. This new version fixes that flaw and adds a valuable (to US users) on-demand content service. The WDTV Live Plus is therefore a superb product at a great price.
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Links
• Western Digital Press Release • AVSForum • B-RAD Custom Firmware • Thumbgen thumbnail generator |
Reviews
• LegitReviews • Youtube GUI / Netflix |
Places To Buy
• Amazon  
• Google Shopping     |
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WDTV Live Plus Discussion There are 13 comments
April 19, 2011 - 02:28
My understanding is that the WDTV Live Plus cannot downmix Dolby TrueHD from other forums. Please verify. February 25, 2011 - 20:25
Jeez does it or does it not reproduce DVD and BR ISOs, and does it have full or lite menu ? January 22, 2011 - 16:52
I bought this player based on the specs above. Somebody should be fact checking or at least clarifying certain attributes. Although this player will play BD.iso's it has no menu support, including Simple menu (lite). This is significant as there is no way to control audio or subtitles... Gonna have to return it August 23, 2010 - 06:38
Would not correctly play back from Twonky Server where several LaCie LaCinema Mini Connect units would--the WD unit repeatedly froze. Sticking with LaCie for local streaming and Roku for Netflix. June 30, 2010 - 08:55
does this one support flv and rmvb? i need a player than can handles what wdtv can with flv and rmvb too June 17, 2010 - 17:03
I also agree with GG. I bought WDTV Live 3 months ago. Now it is an obsolete model. At least the beta firmware enabled the DVD menus on the original WDTV Live. Anyway I will thing twice before buying another media player from WD again. June 17, 2010 - 02:16
I gotta agree with GG ... June 10, 2010 - 14:49
So let me get this straight. Since this model has a Macrovision-enabled chipset like Sigma 8654, it can support copy-protected DVDs? But the Live with the non-Macrovision chipset 8655 cannot? Right? But how the heck can one play copy-protected DVDs from a HDD/network? Since official firmware doesn't allow external USB DVD drives to be connected to these players, how is someone supposed to play copy-protected DVDs anyway? Doesn't ripping a copy-protected DVD to HDD involve removing the copy-protection first? Plus since the Live can also now display DVD menus with the latest firmware, just what is the advantage of the different chipset in the Live Plus when it comes to playing DVDs? ----- One more thing. Can someone confirm what is new inside this model that allows it to support Netflix while the Live supposedly can't? Is this assertion true, or is it simply a case of WD not being willing to add Netflix to the Live with a firmware update and having to play the company lots of money for all the units sold till date? If the latter, then I'm sure folks will try to install the Live Plus firmware on the Live, though I'm sure WD will try its level best to prevent this and deliberately sabotage/brick Lives that manage to somehow support Netflix. June 11, 2010 - 14:36
It is possible to copy a CSS protected DVD to HDD and leave the copy-protection intact. June 23, 2010 - 21:45
The live plus also runs at a faster cock speed than the earlier model, making it a bit more responsive. Maybe more memory 256mb? than earlier. June 28, 2010 - 23:38
From what I understand the copy protection provided by the 8654 is required for Netflix, not for DVD. All new features on the Live Plus except for Netflix should be available on the Live in a future update. WD released a table of features coming in the next update and I believe the only difference between the two will be Netflix. February 12, 2011 - 13:25
"Can someone confirm what is new inside this model that allows it to support Netflix while the Live supposedly can't?" June 10, 2010 - 09:35
WD you are not on my top 1 any more...... I bought WDTV (mk1) it was ok player but FW from you stop... Leave a Comment
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Detailed Specification
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US$100
