WD TV HD Media Player (winter 2009)

Pros: When it works properly this product has a great interface reads nearly every video format is compact & easy to use & set up.

Cons: The device hangs. Is to hot even when in standy it also keeps the power running to the external HD in standy mode & needs to be turned off at the power socket after every use. The maximum working room temperature is 35C to low especially in summer.

Summary: I originally set the WD TV up using a HDMI switch using 1.3 cables to my Sony Bravia KDL-40X2000. The interface hung 1 in every 3 boots (it would go to save screen mode after a while but the remote never responded until switching the device off & on at the wall socket). I then did some trouble shooting & dedicated the device to each HDMI port swapping numereous HDMI cables & updating the firmware but the problem only worsend to working about 1 in every 15 boots. This was all extremely frustrating to say the least. I went back to the store & swapped WD TV 3 times & continued the trouble shooting but had the same issue on all devices. I came to the conclusion that it could be one of three issues... a HDMI issue with the WD TV, the TV was not recognising the WD TV properly, or I just got a bad batch. Every other device I have connected to the TV works without fault including my Pioneers DV-410S with has DivX operational thru a USB port to external HD.

I was extremely disapointed as I like the product but feel it has been released to early & requires a load more tests & updates. I have read forums from other people with similar but not identical HDMI issues to mine. I beleive there may be a known error with the HDMI. I also read about a possible HDCP certified issue that may be causing these problems on some TV's.

The composite worked well even on my mother in laws 18 year old telly using a scart to composite converson box.

I ended up purchasing a Mediagate MG-450HD I have been testing it since yesterday & it runs very well but does not accepts slightly less media formats.