WD HD Media Player (with HDMI out etc.)
 

This looks interesting and very cost effective way of getting your HD files from a USB Drive and on that big screen. I'm sure I read on this forum that someone had reviewed it also but could not easily find that post in a search so posting here for now.

MaddHat.com Blog Archive New WD Media Player Reviewed, Stripped Naked

Edit: OK, found a thread now. Continue the discussion here!

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/dvd-web-v...ay-format.html

Thanks for the news. I ordered it from BestBuy.com for $99 on sale, but it's on backorder.

Here is an alternative, though I have no idea where to get this in the USA.

Welcome to A.L. Tech! - Multimedia Player, GPS System, Network

Andy,
I just used this unit at a bridal show to demonstrate my samples. I drew a crowd for much of the day. It was amazing. So easy to use, and great quality.
Bill

It would be handy to go on the road with.

I would pay $499 if it did the following:

1.) As is $99
1.) Add internal hard drive - $125
2.) Add 1080p24 - $100
3.) Add Lithium Ion rechargeable battery $175

But a lot of the appeal for me is lost by having to plug in, I would guess a wall pack ac transformer, and USB hard drive.

Sigma processors I remember from my I-O Data AVeL LinkplayerII, they work yes, but kind of like a good French Restaurant, tasty but the portions always leave you wishing for just a little bit more. I'll stick with the PS3.

got one from Best Buy... also got the WD My Passport Studio HD (500gb)

for a test I ripped a blu ray movie to the Studio HD and then plugged it all into a
DLP projector...

Worked great... not bad for the price...

my only complaint... wish they would have made the AC plug in like the fold away ones
Apple uses for the Ipod... (just easier to put into a travel case without having the prongs
scratching up equipment) not a show stopper

its a very cool product

Too bad it doesn't record!

That's close to a laptop with the benefit of a built-in screen and Wireless access. Add a DVI->HDMI cable and some audio cables, and you have a fully functional HD player.

Though, from the WD and BestBuy site, you have to pay $129 for the device.

Right, it would be nearly as expensive as you say but with an important distinction, it has sigma media processor which is a better solution than using a software codec to stream via WMP, VLC etc.

Iomega option
 

Check out this option from Iomega the Screen Play Multimedia Hard Drive: Multimedia USB PC to TV Video Hard Drive and the Screen Play Pro Multimedia Hard Drive: Multimedia Ethernet and USB PC to TV Video Hard Drive
This seems similar to the WD option with the hard drive enclosed. They also have the Screen Play link which requires a seperate hard drive. Their prices look pretty good as well.

These devices are pretty cool.

Though the first Iomega drive is not HD "PAL/NTSC - 480i/480p; scalable to 720p/1080i".

The second one is 720p.

The quality of the decoder is unknown in software. I compared the same file and same scene on my Comcast DVR and this Western Digital. The file was captured via the Firewire output on the Comcast. I'm viewing on a Sony Bravia 52" 1080p with both devices delivering via HDMI. There are definitely fewer MPEG2 decoder artifacts on the WD TV, although the image is softer and the contrast is lower due to the difference between "Studio" and RGB levels. This is the disappointing part, and WD could address this by either playing all movie files with the same black/white levels as commerical video players, or at least offering the option. Of course, you want the full range for your digital photos. I tried a few 720p and 1080i .mpg files, and they played marvelously with good audio/video sync. WMV files played, but the A/V sync was way off. My only other complaints are that WD decided to make their device sexy with all sorts of fade-in/out effects that just slow everything down.

This is a great little device in need of a couple of software revisions.

Any idea if this will play native DVCPRO HD files (720p or 1080i)?
Thanks,
-C

If you can provide me with one to download, I'll try it.

On Sale at newegg.com for $99 with free shipping.

Newegg.com - WD TV® HD Media Player

Any owners know if additional codecs (Cineform) can be installed?