New Release - Firmware Version 1.06.16_B for WD TV Live Plus (8/2/11)

fhall1 wrote:

 

I’m doing my research now…if the Apple TV streamed from a NAS without jailbreaking, I’d already have one.  Unfortunately, reading reveiws of most of the other big name streamers, they all seem to have issues.  

I agree 100%.  If ATV streamed from my NAS and had a Pandora app I would jump ship in a second.  But, even with all its flaws the WDTV players are the best of this poor class of devices.  But, I’m with you, if WD simply realized that it could differentiate itself by being the premium NAS streamer device with a few “Core” apps at a $99 or less price point it would sell like crazy.  CORE APPS: Pandora, Netflix, YouTube.  That’s it.  You want more apps, buy a Roku or ATV.  But, if you want na awesome streamer buy WD…that should be how they position themselves.

It’s common sense, WDs core business is hard drives!  I love their new MyBook Live NASs.  Why they don’t focus their Media player to be a bare bones yet best in class DLNA NAS streamer is crazy. Clearly, that could be their differentiator.  Stop trying to go toe to toe with Roku and ATV on apps.  Win in the space that is complementary to your core business…streaming from NASs.  The other players don’t do it or don’t do it well.

Oh and by the way, part of being a best in class streaming device is making sure that the stream acts exactly like a DVD, meaning menu support must work flawlessly.