While I understand the release notes of 2.05.08 somewhat states this problem, but does not define exactly how and when or what really happens…
I was not affected by this nasty bug till I setup a HOMENAS over the weekend and I found out that this bug (At least for me) is really really nasty…
Here is how the bug manifests itself… and the symptoms following the bug…
All is fine, WDTVLIVEHUB sees the .VOB files on the network just fine, It even plays .VOB files just fine for the first time or may be the second time if you get lucky… then the bug comes and this is really nasty…
Following the second .VOB file playback, When you attempt to play any other file types like .MKV, .AVI or even .JPG picture file or any online service like Blockbuster, You Tube anything to do with video playback or JPG display like Flickr etc;. Or music playback from HDD based or online services will not play anymore!!!
All you will see is a spinning waiting for the video playback or music playback or photo playback to start…
I started my own investigation trying to isolate what causes this, but I could not pin point what is the real trigger, the only thing I can say is .VOB files playback over network share is the root cause of the problem which almost renders the functionality of the WDTVLIVE hub to play any other media types *EXCEPT ISO DVD*
You read correct, when this bug is present, ISO DVD media plays just fine! This is the only media file that plays when the bug is present… that is a really ODD and strange.
Before someone suggests the paper clip method to reset my WDTVLIVEHUB let me say, I have been a WDTV user since the WDTV first generation and I know the quick remedies one can think of and trust me when I say I have tried EVERYTHING…
I even rolled back to older release of firmware but the playback of .VOB files over network share is present in the older releases too… Just that WD realized the bug and put it in the release notes…
Now, Can someone tell me is this the correct BUG report of unable to play .VOB files over network share or I am experiencing something different?
I tried public access on the NAS device, I tried to make it read-write, tinkered with the samba configuration file on the NAS device to see if anything external is causing this problem but could not find a root cause.
Oh! I somehow feel that it’s got to do with the “RESUME Database” that WD maintains for certain files types and as ISO file do not have RESUME database when Media Library is turned off.
When this bug happens, it looks that WDTVLIVEHUB is waiting indefinitely for something and never able to start the video or Music playback as that routine prevents the playback to start, Looks like something in the RESUME database area to me.
Oh! You can always reboot the WDTVLIVEHUB by pulling the plug and all starts to work fine till you play another .VOB file from the network share and the whole thing repeats itself like clockwork!
Any ideas anyone? Or if WD engineers are reading this, Can you please comment when you expect to get this bug resolved in the next FW release?