valkillmore wrote:
Some things I noticed as I am also a new user, only about 4 days ahead of you.
- If using the Media Library option be patient while it builds, and if using ‘auto’ content feature, be even more patient. Both these processes slow the device down signigicantly, and can lead to freezes if you start messing with folders or features while they are in process.
In other words, let it do its thing and leave it alone while building your library. Jamming it up and freezing it only means starting the media library compiling all over, and a delay in content finding. ESPECIALLY if you have a giant library like myself.
There are third party PC based apps that can help build your library content data like WDTV HubGen, or Thumbgen or a few others if you prefer not letting the device hunt for content.
- In my opinion, the provided remote is not up to snuff so I went with a wifi android app, which seems to be much more responsive, and convenient as I can play on my tablet and control the device at the same time. I am not using the WD app, but another third party one that has a keyboard send text option…VERY HANDY for entering keypad entries where ever needed, rather than the PS3 style onscreen keyboard combined with provided remote. (Especially for RSS feeds)
- Once your Media Library is built, I suggest going thru and picking favorites, then using the favorites quick menu (from homescreen push down direction). It has a queue, recently played…you can add services or files or folders to favorites. I find this helps me get to desired folders files and favorite services (Weather and Netflix) super quick.
- READ,READ,READ…you will find previous answers, and or help in the forum.
Once you get it figured out, it is well worth it. I haven’t dove into the functionality of the audio or photo sections yet, but as far as movies and tv shows, I haven’t come across one it can’t play across a wide variety of formats, with and without subs. My Netflix is working fine, both the Canadian and American sites.
I appreciate the reply.
I haven’t ever heard of Thumbgen but after reading up on it, it does sound promising and is a huge plus over the Roku. I’m curious if what you are saying about letting it load before doing anything is what is causing others WDTVs to freeze and become really buggy. I do have a decent sized media library, but inputting the content myself would definitely be the route I go.
I still have plenty of reading to do, but tonight once I get some free time, I plan on starting at the very last page and reading it all. I do not have the device yet, and probably won’t for another 3-4 days because of shipping, so I’m going to read all that I can until then. If anyone else would like to share their experience with this device, I’d love to read it.
One great thing about placing the order with Best Buy is the extended holiday gift return. It will give me an extra month with the device to decide if it’s right for me or not, if not, I’ll return for a refund and purchase the Roku. I’m really hoping to have a good experience once I get it, as I have had my eye on a WDTV since last year. As I said, if Hulu & the streaming from a hard drive works, and I can get at least a year out of it, I’ll be more than happy.
I do have another question, any idea if putting an internal HDD into a USB 2.0 external hard drive enclosure would work on the WDTV? It works with all of my computers, but I’m not sure if it will work on the WDTV. I have 3 internal HDDs filled with moves in AVI format that I ripped as I bought them and stored them on internal HDDs in case I ever need them. If not, I guess I’ll need to purchase a new external.
Again, thanks for the reply. It was very helpful.
