WD’s badass little media box is getting its first firmware update and it’s available starting now. Read on for details to find out what’s been fixed, what’s new and how to get the update for yourself.
New Features:
• Added .MKV chapter selection for video playback for MKV with chapter support
• Added .MTS file extension support
• Added .TP file extension support
• Added .TS file extension support
• Added 1080p 24hz support
• Added disk volume name to folder navigation in list mode
• Added EXIF orientation flag functionality for auto picture rotate
• Added file size in filename
• Added jump feature to the remote: While fast forwarding or reversing, if the “Next” or “Prev” buttons are pressed, video will jump 10 minutes in the respective direction
• Added progress indicator for the duration of the FF or REV function
• Added a blinking status LED behavior while drive is mounting; previously the light just stayed on
• Added sequential .M2TS file playback function
• Added additional subtitle support (SMI, SUB, ASS, SSA)
• Added user selectable font size for subtitle support
• Added song title scroll in music playback to prevent truncation
• Added embedded subtitle display in .MKV files
• Added additional subtitle encoding support for the following: Western Europe (ISO), Traditional Chinese (Big5), Simplified Chinese (GB18030), Japanese (Shift-JIS), Korean (EUC-KR), Cyrillic (Windows-1251), Cyrillic (KOI8-R), Greek (ISO); previously only UTF-8 was supported
• Added display sizing menu for photo playback: Fit to Screen, Full Screen, Keep as Original
• Added accelerating scroll speed based on how long the arrow is held down on the remote when navigating folders with a large number of files; previously only one, constant speed was availableResolved Issues:
• Resolved issue when 2 drives were connected, then one drive was disconnected, the files from the disconnected drive still showed up on the file list but were not playable
• Resolved “repeat one” failure during music playback; previously songs would not repeat
• Resolved artist name truncation issue during music playback
• Resolved issue where WD TV would not turn back on with remote after extended period of inactivity; previously WD TV had to be unplugged and was unrecoverable with the remote
• Resolved image size and position issues during video playback; previously the image displayed did not fill the screen until the picture was zoomed in and then out again
• Resolved info bar display issues in PAL (European display standard) mode
• Resolved issue of the slideshow playing while in the Option menu during playback, slideshow now pauses if the Option menu is accessed
• Resolved issues surrounding drives going to “sleep” and folders showing as empty; previously drives equipped with a sleep feature would not re-initialize before the WD TV timed out and displayed the folders as empty
• Resolved issues with DVR-MS file playback, FF and REV now function properly; previously FF or REV during a DVR-MS file would cause the file to stop playing and the video signal to be lost
• Resolved issues with forced resolution changes dropping video signal; previously the signal would be lost if the user switched between forced resolution and auto
• Resolved photo self re-sizing issue; previously during photo playback the pictures would randomly re-size themselves
• Resolved Status LED behavior by blinking to reflect accurate read cycles while data is being read; previously the LED just stayed on
• Resolved subtitle default to “on” issue (subtitles now default to “off”, unless there is an external subtitle file created, then subtitles default to “on”)
• Resolved subtitle position issue, the subtitles were moved down towards bottom of screen; previously during playback of some files subtitles were positioned too high blocking the view of the video
• Resolved the 1-2 second FF during initial playback of .MPG video; previously video would play in what appeared to be FF for the first 1-2 seconds and then slow to standard play rate
• Resolved video signal failure when pan function in video files with subtitles is used; previously subtitles would stop functioning, video would stop playing, or TV would lose signal
• Resolved zoom issues while file info is displayed during video playback; previously signal would fail or video would stop playing
• Resolved zooming issues while subtitles were on; previously the screen used to go black and the video would stop playingTo update the firmware:
1. Go to http://support.wdc.com and download the latest firmware update compressed file for your Media Player.
2. Click “Downloads” then the product name (or photo).
3. Extract the two files (.BIN and .VER files) to the root folder of a portable USB drive.
4. Connect the USB drive to the HD media player’s USB port.
5. Press HOME, and then select the Settings bar.
6. Select the firmware upgrade icon, and then press ENTER.
7. You are prompted to perform the firmware upgrade.
8. Select OK on the firmware update prompt, and then press ENTER. This will restart the system.
9. After restarting, the system automatically enters firmware upgrade mode.
10. Once the update process is completed, the HD media player will restart again.
11. Once the HD media player restarts, the new firmware is automatically loaded.Important: Make sure the WD TV™ HD Media Player’s AC power adapter remains connected during the firmware update. A power disruption during the update process can corrupt the system firmware. Also, make sure that you do not unplug the USB storage device
This just hit my inbox from WD. Hope it helps.
Here’s a link to our Knowledge Base article 2757 that may shed some light on this issue:
Problem:
The WD TV Media Player crashes or hangs when you attempt to update the firmware.Cause:
The firmware update application is timing out because large capacity drives cannot build the media directory fast enough to allow the installation to continue.Solution:
If you started the firmware update and the WD TV is hung, it is safe to disconnect the power from WD TV, remove the USB storage, copy the firmware files to a lower capacity (320 GB or less) USB drive with no data on it, and re-insert that drive back into WD TV. The WD TV firmware update process will begin again when you reconnect the power to the WD TV.Note: make sure only one drive, the drive with the firmware update files, is connected during the update process.
No VC-1 support???
VC1 actually works now. I have a WMV file that uses the VC1 codec. It didn’t work with 1.00.01, but now it works with 1.01.01. Unfortunately, the embedded WMA pro audio still doesn’t work.
iso…not playing sound now that i upgraded the firmware…any suggestions
happens the same to me
Does anyone knows where is the firmware icon located at the menu? I search the entire categories and still can find that firmware update icon stated on the instructions.
If it works it shows in configuration part of the menu. A new icon will show there (a folder with an arrow pointing down). I found this on a website, have to do the update myself tonight.
Can you elaborate on what yo mean by “if it works”?
I am trying to apply the firmware update as well. I am following the installation instructions, I am looking thru the “setting” icons and can not find the “update icon” at all.
According to “Settings->System->About”, my formware version is 1.00.01.
Any help would be much apprecited.
TIA,
Thomas
OK. got it.
I re-read the posts here and noticed that from another post that the two firmware files must be extracted from the zip into the root directory of the USB drive. I checked my USB drive and sure enough it was extracted into a folder called release-1.01.01 instead of the root (yes, silly me).
I copied the files from the folder back into the root. restarted my WD TV with the USB drive and a new update icon is now available under “settings”.
I am now able to follow the installation instrucitons and have just successfully completed the firmware update (took about 4 minutes).
Cheers,
Thomas
I do not know how to change file to a root. can you help me on this ?
I had the same problem, but in my case, a folder named “.wd_tv” was created and inside the folder were files wdtv.cas and wdtv.cas.md5 (these are incorrect, must have been a bad download or error in my zip program). I copied these to the root directory of my thumbdrive, but still no go. I redownloaded the file and this time the files were wdtv.bin and wdtv.ver (these are correct). Put those on the root and immediately after some activity on the thumb drive (30 sec.?) it will say “new firmware found”. Just select OK to update. Takes a few minutes.
firmware is availabe here, updating right now… http://www.wdc.com/en/products/wdtv/
What the hell? I was just in middle of downloading the update as they removed it.
The link from http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=1001&lang=en is gone.
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/wdtv/ still has the link, but it does not work :(.
Hmm. I’ll check this out with WD .
Update!
I just got the firmware installed. Dumb me I extract the .bin and .ver files to a directory. For those installing the firmware be sure to extract it at the jump drive or usb drive root directory.
Ive got a problem.
The latest update doesn’t work. The wd tv keeps rebooting and the update indicator stays at 0 procent.
I didn’t take the usb disk out or put the power of.
Someone a solution for me???
greetins Heralt
If you have two hard disks use only one to upgrade the firmware… Unplug one and try again…
I have the solution for you. Try to put the files on the USB-stick and it’s work :)
Just successfully ran the update off of my USB flash key. I don’t know why yours didn’t work, but there are a few do’s and don’ts- make sure you put the files in the root (not inside of a folder, the drive has to be <320GB (most of our media vaults are probably larger), it must be the only USB device connected, etc, etc).
did three updates each worked perfect
thank God for .sub files now, cant wait to try it out
Ohh thx man! I was getting afraid that my tv bow was crashed, bacuse I used my 500gb storage drive for the firmware update before reading the thing about only 320 gb… And it freezed ofcause, but now it’s solved…. Dam thx you just saved my day….
Any idea how to add poster for a video file? Is it fixed in this firmware?
I upgraded it successfully but it also formatted my external hd after the upgrade. Made me lose my partition and had to reformat. I had a 120gb drive.
Hi Guys I have the following issue & have not been able to work it out…
I purchased & installed the WD TV HD Media Player as instructed & use a HDMI switch as I have three devices connected to my Sony Bravia TV & only two HDMI Ports. The media player had an intermittent problem & usually hung on bootup. It originally did this about once every three times I started the media player, however the frequency increased as time went on & got to a point where the device was hanging on nearly every occasion. I had made no changes to the devise or setup. At this point I took the product back & had it replaced.
After receiving the replacement WD TV HD Media Player I installed it on a CRT TV using the composite leads provided & it worked fine, without an issue. However I then installed it on the my Sony Bravia TV using HDMI with the HDMI switch as outlined above. When doing so the media player hangs on nearly every occasion. Only about once on every 15 boot ups does the device work correctly. The device either hangs or continuously scrolls through the menu options on one press of the up or down arrow. I have updated the firmware 1.01.01 from the site successfully, reinstalled the device using different HDMI ports on the TV & swapped HDMI cables, without the HDMI switch & with the HDMI switch. Used both USB connections for my 320 Gib Passport HD & also used an 8Gib Kingston Thumb Drive. I have even turned the TV off completely at the wall power socket for 15 mins & installed the product over again however the issue persists. As the device gets extremely hot during & after use I remove the power plug from the powerboard after each use. I am now at a tethered ended trying to work this issue out.
Is it ok to leave the device plugged in at all times even though it gets extremely hot? I ask this question as when on the odd occasion it actually does work perhaps I should leave it in standby without removing the power plug. On one test I used a thumb drive & the device worked fine I then removed the device correctly using the media player option turned it off then back on again, rest the factory setting & the device & amazingly was able to connect to the My Passport drive & it worked correctly. However, I then turned the device off, removed the power plug then replaced it & turned the device back on again only to find the screen hung yet again. Is there anything I am missing here in the installation? As it works fine with the AV leads it is looking like a HDMI issue. Has anyone experienced this issue or have any advise?
i had an issue with the WD media player reading certain .mkv files on the previous firmware causing slo and digitally shoppy playback. After upgrading im happy to report this issue is solved BUT the .mkv files now dont play with sound.. Any ideas?
hello, I could use some help; I updated to the new firmware, crashed-rebooted \nd finally installed but after that it won’t play simple .avi files that played before the update… it does not even play the sample files (photos & videos) that came with the cd…
Help please…
chanuka – It’s possible that for whatever reason the sound output has changed from stereo to digital under the system settings. If you’re just connecting to your tv with a HDMI cable for both sound and video, some files wont play sound. Make sure the WDTV is set to Stereo unless you’re connecting to a A/V reciever with the optical output.
FYI – If you have a .mkv file with the audio source being DTS audio, you have to have the WDTV connected to a DTS capable reciever to hear any sound. The WDTV will not down-convert DTS audio to stereo.
Hi Jonathan,
Thanks for getting back to me. I have it connected via optical to a DTS reciever and via HDMI to the TV. Im trying both the Hitachi HD demo clip and the Transformers HD trailor. Both give excellent picture which it didnt before the firmware update but now dont play the sound, which it did before the firware update :D. Im confused. Same issue with a colleague of mine who performed the firmware update too. We get the “audio channel 1 not supported” message.
I tried switching back and forth from digital to stereo. But the media player doesnt actually output any audio on either. Any suggestions?
No audio on TS files and on large ones the picture freezes after a minute playing.
“audio channel 1 not supported” message. on all of my mkv file
Take a look at:
http://wdtv.wetpaint.com/page/Conversion+&+Spec+Guide?t=anon
I have the same problem with playing MKV through HDMI. Not had a chance to try it myself yet but thought I would share it.
Hi there !
I had a problem with the remote controller : slow or not responding.
I found a solution : I now plug my external hard drive on the other USB port, the one which is on the back with the other connections.
It is now working flawlessly !
Hope this help you if you have the same problem. Don’t hesitate to post your feedback if it works for you too
Hi again !
Finally, the problem with the remote controller came from the IR interference due to my LCD TV.
Disabling OPC function (auto contrast control) has solved the problem.
The remote controller is OK now !!
Nice. This helped me. Thanks!!!!!
Does any 1 know how to play .wmv movie files with wd media player without any conversion? It is time consuming to convert .wmv files to a format suppoerted by wd player.
FYI my player has been updated with the latest firmware 1.01.02
Has the issue of sync problems when avi (dvix) files are being played via a hdmi cable been resolved and do they even exist ( i read it on a device review site)
Thanks
just got my WDTV today, geez is the picture beautiful! well, as Sammy just posted, I am having issues with audio out of synch with the video, when playing a avi aka divx file. I am using the component cables, don’t even have a HDMI cable to test with.
I read on another site, this can be caused by the avi divx file itself playing at 41000?hz instead of 44000hz.
I would assume this is only fixable by using the link provided above by Steven, to re-encode those files having troubles.
http://wdtv.wetpaint.com/page/Conversion+&+Spec+Guide?t=anon
I’ll try it now. Please everyone, provide your insights, and if you resolve a problem or find more information, please get back to us! ;)
MKV’s and “audio channel 1 not supported”
I think it happens only with the Vorbis Audio Codec.
Nice piece of hardware :)
How powerful would it be using a community-driven opensource-firmware ? (Thinking of xbmc, mediaportal and things like that). Does anyone know if there are already some ambitions to start something like this ?
Cheers, F.
I don’t get it… forcing the file size at the end of every movie name. Just REALLY makes the navigation really cluttered. Is there any way to turn OFF this supposed upgraded feature?
Just to confirm – I used the popcorn tool
http://wdtv.wetpaint.com/page/Conversion+&+Spec+Guide?t=anon
and it successfully converted the audio tracks into stereo for playback over HDMI.
tried for 4 hours to download the upgrade, tried EVERYTHING!. no upgrade icon no matter what i do. empty flash drive both files alone not in a folder. jack… this coupled with the delayed remote operation, its at the best a poor peice of kit, glad i didnt take the plastic off… its goin streight back tomoz,
i was told it played blue ray by the fellow in the shop, obviousley didnt know what he was talkin about, he can have it back, my origional plan was to get a blue ray player, gonna do that now, good riddens to this thing.
chanuka…. downloasd popcorns audio converter and this will sort out the problem ur having with the dts audio.
I’ve tried everything now… 2 different harddrives each with less than 320 GB, 2 different usb memory sticks (4 GB, and 64 MB), the 4GB with FAT32 and FAT file system.
The md5 signature of my unpacket wdtv.bin is
4AC4661E – 5D95E0E6 – 702928F1 – C134D6DA
the version is
1.01.02
I had wdtv.bin and .ver in the root directory of each harddrive/ucsb pin. I plug it in the HD TV box, nothing happens. It says reading from harddrive, and then it finishes, and no change. I can watch movies and whatnot, but no matter what I do, I can’t get the “update firmware” icon up.
I have the exact same problem as what tintin described:
“I had the same problem, but in my case, a folder named “.wd_tv” was created and inside the folder were files wdtv.cas and wdtv.cas.md5 (these are incorrect, must have been a bad download or error in my zip program). I copied these to the root directory of my thumbdrive, but still no go. I redownloaded the file and this time the files were wdtv.bin and wdtv.ver (these are correct). Put those on the root and immediately after some activity on the thumb drive (30 sec.?) it will say “new firmware found”. Just select OK to update. Takes a few minutes.”
Where a folder .wd_tv is created with the two files he mentioned. However, I’ve redownloaded it several times, to make soure it wasn’t a freak-event… but no no avail.
It’s getting a bit frustrating, as I don’t understand what I’m doing wrong. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do?
I’ve also tried shutting the system off and on, trying the different usb-inputs. Having a secondary device connected, not having it connected. Restoring the decive do fabric settings.
Anywhing I can think of…
Okay, nevermind the post. I already had version 1.01.2 Installed. I have no idea how it happened, as I thought I checked the about in the beginning, and it said 1.00.1, but I might have just had a lapse of memory. The only explanation is that the one I got already came shipped with the latest firmware.
Great piece of kit… except I notice that when I turn WDTV off on remote (standby mode) the connected USB devices remain on. Thats gotta be a waste of power. When the WDTV is switched off at the mains only then does the hard drive deactivate.
This has to be a suggested mod for future firmware upgrades, if its possible.. ?
There is a new firmware available in beta and i have updated the player and it works nicely
http://www.wdtvc.com/2009/04/02/new-official-firmware-wd-tv-hd-released-10201/
There are a couple of things i’d like to see in a future update – the ability to play .iso files and powering on from the remote,not as soon as its plugged in.
Ok I have the same problem as ookami! except my firmware is definatly 1.00.1
“I’ve tried everything now… 2 different harddrives each with less than 320 GB, 2 different usb memory sticks (4 GB, and 64 MB), the 4GB with FAT32 and FAT file system.
The md5 signature of my unpacket wdtv.bin is
4AC4661E – 5D95E0E6 – 702928F1 – C134D6DA
the version is
1.01.02
I had wdtv.bin and .ver in the root directory of each harddrive/ucsb pin. I plug it in the HD TV box, nothing happens. It says reading from harddrive, and then it finishes, and no change. I can watch movies and whatnot, but no matter what I do, I can’t get the “update firmware” icon up.
I have the exact same problem as what tintin described:
“I had the same problem, but in my case, a folder named “.wd_tv” was created and inside the folder were files wdtv.cas and wdtv.cas.md5 (these are incorrect, must have been a bad download or error in my zip program). I copied these to the root directory of my thumbdrive, but still no go. I redownloaded the file and this time the files were wdtv.bin and wdtv.ver (these are correct). Put those on the root and immediately after some activity on the thumb drive (30 sec.?) it will say “new firmware found”. Just select OK to update. Takes a few minutes.”
Where a folder .wd_tv is created with the two files he mentioned. However, I’ve redownloaded it several times, to make soure it wasn’t a freak-event… but no no avail.
It’s getting a bit frustrating, as I don’t understand what I’m doing wrong. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do?
I’ve also tried shutting the system off and on, trying the different usb-inputs. Having a secondary device connected, not having it connected. Restoring the decive do fabric settings.
Anywhing I can think of…”
Please anyone have any Idea? im about to loose my mind!
The .wd_tv folder and its contents have nothing to do with the firmware update files,they contain directory info for the drive – when the media player is scanning a drive it’s building up a database which is then saved inside the .wd_tv folder.
The only files you need in the root of the drive for the update is wdtv.bin and wdtv.ver
hope this helps….
so u make a file called root and then put the
wdtv.bin and wdtv.ver? ok i understand now why it doesent work its because i already bought the wd tv with 1.01.02 version so the system is smart enough to know that i already have the latest firmware so it doesnt show up, so for people who have problems make sure that ur systemes firmware is 1.01.01 and not 1.01.02
u can check it in settings and go to the system option and go into (about) and that will show u about the system and its current firmware, OK.
Downloaded latest firmware but still getting a message that it doesent support MKV files and that i should uppgrade software. Anyone having this issue as well and have any good explanation how to solve it?
FW version is: WDTV_FW_1_02_07
Just updated min to 1_02_07, as fo now it woks great. I’m a little dispaointed because still no capabilities on downgrading sound. Some of my .Mkv have digital 1 (sound quality) only and and connected to my TV with composite Video and Audio, result … no sound at all on these videos. As for the rest great product.
1_02_08 beta is out and after flashing the player i was very happy to find that .iso files can now be played…also .vob files seem to play a lot better.I still have issues with certain .mkv files but i’m sure this will be fixed in future firmware builds
I have just upgraded to the new version. After upgrade the box could not play my current .avi files which has been able to be played on the box before. Any one who has a solution to this problem?.
Were you able to resolve this? I have the same problem after updating the firmware.
It’s simple,all you need to do is edit the wdtv.ver file by changing the version info which will look something like this:
VERSION=’1.02.08′
LOCATION=’wdtv.bin’
change the version value to something like 1.03.08 and save it then put it on your memory stick.Your wdtv will then think you have an firmware update
i am on my 3rd unit now in 1 month, units won’t turn on right away with the remote,
then when it does turn on, the menu freezes, then when that finally starts to work, when you scroll up or down or side to side it advances 2-8 more than you want at a time.
then after about 5 minutes it starts working OK, like it has to warm up
i have been on support 3 times now and they have admitted that others have been experiencing similar issues, but i have not seen similar complaints on any forums
like to know if anyone has experienced similar issues and if they have resolved them
really like the WD TV when it works, it is exactly what i am looking for and would like to have one functioning as it should, if not this will be my last attempt at owning one
thanks for any help on this
problem solved – RF interference from my router – had to move it further away from the player
Same annoying problem as AJ i will try removing all other remotes and disabling my wireless and see what happens.
This will suck if i have to do this every time i use the little box WD support said to do a hard reset this only worked for 2 uses.
Iam goint to do some test and see.