Home Theater/HDTV/et al...

Madoka wrote:Wow, I came to ask a question about my computer but that WD Media Player may solve my problems too.

I have a PC with an HDMI port. Can I take an HDMI cable from the computer to my receiver which is connected to my HDTV and watch J-Dramas that way? I read somewhere that PC HDMI ports don't pass sound which would be a problem.

I'd guess you'd have to check the manual for your PC or the video card taht has the HDMI port.

That sounds unusual: typically, PCs have DVI ports that output digital video... Then you'd need a DVI to HDMI cable to connect to your HDTV (or receiver), but you'd need to connect the audio to your HDTV (or receiver) somehow. :sweat:

However, that player may be what I need as all my video is on an external USB drive.

Yeah, that WD device seems to solve a lot of problems and eliminates the need for an HTPC. :victory:

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The Ceton Multi-Channel Cable TV Card enables Media Center PCs to play or record up to six live channels of HDTV at once and stream live HD channels or recordings to multiple HDTVs throughout the home, all from a single cable connection. Initially the Ceton Multi-Channel Cable TV Card will be available in a 4-tuner configuration, but they also plan to introduce an entry-level 2-tuner version for consumers as well as a premium 6-tuner version for specially pre-configured OEM PCs. The four-tuner version of the card will retail somewhere between $300 and $600 with a release date sometime in 2010.

Well, I did find an interesting solution. I installed the PS3 Media Center program, which is much better than using WMP as a media server. Now I can stream files to the PS3 which will play most of the files I have. The only files I can't easily stream are .mkv's with soft subs. I had one HD .mp4 file that the network couldn't keep up with. But I could do a real time remuxing of Karei Naru Spy and watch it on the HDTV.

Madoka wrote:Well, I did find an interesting solution. I installed the PS3 Media Center program, which is much better than using WMP as a media server. Now I can stream files to the PS3 which will play most of the files I have. The only files I can't easily stream are .mkv's with soft subs. I had one HD .mp4 file that the network couldn't keep up with. But I could do a real time remuxing of Karei Naru Spy and watch it on the HDTV.

Cool. :victory:

Well, I found yet another free program that adds .srt subs to an .avi file. It takes abot 90 secs and outputs a .divx file that the PS3 can play and display subtitles. You just push the subtitles button as if you were watching a Blu-Ray disc. Now all J-Dramas can be viewed on the HDTV. :)

^ And the name of that program is.....?

bmwracer wrote:^ And the name of that program is.....?

Ah, AVIAddXSubs. Free. You can configure the subs, font, size, color, etc. Works well so far.

Madoka wrote:Ah, AVIAddXSubs. Free. You can configure the subs, font, size, color, etc. Works well so far.

Hmm, interesting... I like the fact that it's quick, since there's no re-encoding... I'll have to try it out.

Thanks! :victory:

Western Digital WD TV Live

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/10/13/review_media_player_wd_tv_live/
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=735

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^Nice, I think I might get this one. Pretty cheap for its versatility. :victory:

Jav_sol wrote:^Nice, I think I might get this one. Pretty cheap for its versatility. :victory:

Yup.

I've read it's going for about $120 at Best Buy...

Maybe cheaper at Amazon... And no sales tax and free shipping. :victory:

bmwracer wrote:
Yup.

I've read it's going for about $120 at Best Buy...

Maybe cheaper at Amazon... And no sales tax and free shipping. :victory:

"WiFi adapter sold separately." :shakehead:
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/western-digital-wd-tv-live-hd-media-player-gets-official/

But I'm still interested. I wonder if they have a working demo at the Best Buy here, I'll go take a look after all my exams are over this week. :sweat:

Jav_sol wrote:"WiFi adapter sold separately." :shakehead:
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/western-digital-wd-tv-live-hd-media-player-gets-official/

That's not a deal breaker... I'd prefer using a hard line anyways.

HDTV Benchmark DVD you can download for FREE: http://www.tvblink.com/index.html :victory:

Be sure to read the instructions.

bmwracer wrote:Western Digital WD TV Live

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/10/13/review_media_player_wd_tv_live/
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=735

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Was looking at this over at amazon and it's going for $120 with HDMI cable and free shipping. :victory: However, while at amazon, I came across the ASUS O!Play (which I had completely forgotten about) going for $100. The O!Play caught my attention because based on reviews it seems to handle .iso files better than the WD. Now I'm not sure which I want to get.

bmwracer wrote:
That's not a deal breaker... I'd prefer using a hard line anyways.

Yeah, hard line is more reliable. I could run a wire to the tv closet to the pc, but I was considering wireless for my tv in the bedroom.

^ Handles .iso files better? In what way?

Hmm, I figured the WD model wasn't the only game in town... Maybe the AVS Forum ( http://www.avsforum.com/ ) has reviews on each.

Just read the reviews over at Amazon... They were mentioning the lack of .IFO support (found in all DVD-Video discs) in the WD player, not .ISO... :sweat:

Not sure how critical that is at the moment... I mean if you have a DVD player that upscales, isn't that the same thing?

EDIT: Here are some reviews/comments from some people who have used both (WD and Asus) Media Players: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1186715&highlight=wd+media+player :victory:

Yow, a new competitor in the HD Media Player wars: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1190086

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Amazon link here: http://www.amazon.com/Patriot-Office-Definition-Player-PCMPBO25/dp/B002Q4U9PY/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1255973621&sr=8-4

bmwracer wrote:Just read the reviews over at Amazon... They were mentioning the lack of .IFO support (found in all DVD-Video discs) in the WD player, not .ISO... :sweat:

Not sure how critical that is at the moment... I mean if you have a DVD player that upscales, isn't that the same thing?

Well, that's what I was debating, I've already burned all the .iso I have to dvds anyways. But if this thing is going to be hooked up to my network, I figured it would be nice if it handles all of my files. All of the .iso files that I have do have dvd menus and chapters, some are dual audio as well.

bmwracer wrote:JEDIT: Here are some reviews/comments from some people who have used both (WD and Asus) Media Players: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1186715&highlight=wd+media+player :victory:

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out.

From what I've read, the WD has a Sigma video chipset, which supposedly is better than the Realtek chipset that the Asus and Patriot have...