DailyTech - Western Digital Announces $70 WD TV Play Streaming Media Player

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Gadgets Western Digital Announces $70 WD TV Play Streaming Media Player
Tiffany Kaiser - February 12, 2013 2:42 PM

14 comment(s) - last by Alexvrb.. on Feb 17 at 2:11 AM

The WD TV Play is available now

Western Digital announced a new media player today called "WD TV Play," which allows users to stream content from network-connected devices to an HDTV.

WD TV Play is a Wi-Fi enabled media player that lets users stream movies, TV shows, Internet videos and music through apps like Netflix, Hulu Plus, YouTube, Pandora, Spotify, SlingPlayer and VUDU. It has Full-HD 1080p support as well as social apps like Facebook.

In addition to these streaming options, users can also experience media they already own like pictures, music and videos. But this pre-owned content must be on a computer or network storage that has a Digital Living Network Alliance server. Connected digital cameras, camcorders or USB drives can air content on the HDTV, too.

“We are excited to bring popular Internet channels and the ability to play personal media from other connected devices in the home, to budget-minded customers,” said Scott Vouri, general manager for WD's connected life solutions group. “Those features and our new, easy-to-use interface make WD TV Play a product that brings smart-TV benefits to a wide range of people.”

There's a WD TV Remote as well, which is connected over the home wireless network and has pre-programmed buttons for easy app navigation. Users also have the option to use their iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Android device as a remote with the WD TV Remote app.

The new WD TV Play is now available for $69.99.

Source: Western Digital

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Amazon Prime?

By danjw1 on 2/12/2013 4:37:53 PM , Rating: 2

Is Amazon Prime (Free for prime customers) VOD supported?

RE: Amazon Prime?

By steven975 on 2/12/2013 4:54:58 PM , Rating: 2

I don't think so...WD hasn't gotten it. This was why I got a Roku.

Seems any one device doesn't get to have everything.

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RE: Amazon Prime?

By Reclaimer77 on 2/12/2013 5:24:00 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
Seems any one device doesn't get to have everything.

The PS3 does, mostly.

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RE: Amazon Prime?

By Milliamp on 2/12/2013 9:07:25 PM , Rating: 2

The PS3 doesn't support MKV video files though and that is now one of the most popular rip formats. I have to convert all my MKV stuff if I want to read it from the PS3 in the living room.

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RE: Amazon Prime?

By geekman1024 on 2/13/13, Rating: 0

RE: Amazon Prime?

By Reclaimer77 on 2/13/2013 4:50:58 PM , Rating: 2

The PS3 doesn't HAVE to support MKV. You can just transcode it. PS3 Media Server, Plex, XBMC etc etc, take your pick. DNLA on the PS3 is great.

I can even bitstream DTS, Dolby, HD Master etc etc audio through the PS3 to my AVR.

Now you can do this with other boxes out there probably. But what I feel separates the PS3 from some of the others is the hardware is very robust. It blows away these little streamer boxes. Another thing I love is the Netflix app on the PS3 is far and away the best I've come across.

I grabbed a cheap PS3 with a broken BluRay drive, and it's been such a great streamer/media player I honestly couldn't be happier.

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RE: Amazon Prime?

By Alexvrb on 2/17/2013 2:11:04 AM , Rating: 2

That's still a good option for many people. You can do the same thing for Xbox too, I used to use TVersity years ago. But transcoding requires two boxes. You're decoding, re-encoding, and decoding again (constantly). It's not very efficient, and it partially ties up the other machine (wouldn't want to transcode and game online at the same time myself) - not a good option for all households. Also depending on the source and how it is handled, quality can diminish slightly (if done right it is virtually unnoticeable).

Anyway, my point is that the best playback device, that can handle everything, is a PC. You can slap together something cheap with an APU and get damn good results if you use the right software. If you use a lowend sub-75 watt dGPU, even better. But not necessary IMO unless you're driving a fancy home theater setup.

Obviously it's more money than a Roku or similar, but as you pointed out these little boxes have their limitations, and very poor amounts of storage. So everything must be streamed over the internet, streamed from another local device, or additional storage must be attached. I think anyone that is serious about do-anything playback device that can handle any format (without any outside help) should consider building a budget PC.

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laptops for life!

By luv2liv on 2/13/2013 10:34:17 AM , Rating: 2

i have yet to use a player that can handle all formats. and screw transcoding! so i am still using a small laptop with wireless kb/mouse attached via HDMI to tv. view any websites, open any videos especially MKV, play most games, and do whatever. no limitations like these Roku, android on a stick....

RE: laptops for life!

By ShaolinSoccer on 2/13/2013 11:57:55 AM , Rating: 3

You also paid a lot more for that laptop. The things these other devices can do for much cheaper is actually pretty impressive.

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Why NAS

By Fujikoma on 2/13/2013 9:04:20 AM , Rating: 2

I'll stick with the current WD player I own with two USB inputs. If I wanted to mess with network storage, I'd set up a low power HTPC and ditch the WD device altogether. Lack of USB support is why I didn't buy ROKU in the first place. I have family that just needs to plug in a flash drive or portable HDD and have it work. The last thing I want to do is play twenty questions, over the phone, as to why family can't see new files on the network or how to set it up.

RE: Why NAS

By ShaolinSoccer on 2/13/2013 11:55:52 AM , Rating: 2

Product Specifications
Interface Ethernet, USB 2.0 , HDMI, Composite A/V, Wi-Fi, Optical audio

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add plex and im in for one

By xti on 2/12/2013 3:35:09 PM , Rating: 2

been waiting to get another roku with usb, since plex is pretty neat...if this thing lets you add a plex app/channel im all over it for $70 and usb support.

By p05esto on 2/14/2013 12:21:54 AM , Rating: 2

the current wdtv i have is amazing and plays anything i throw at it. I cant imagine a better hub. Cool news, but what does it offer above the current model?