This was posted 10 years 12 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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Western Digital Live Streaming $98 Martin Place Harvey Norman

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Western digital live steaming at Martin Place Harvey Norman closing down sale they had about 15 of emn

Sticker price $150 but it scans up as $98 for me (sale discount)

Sorry for mobile link I'm on my phone

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Harvey Norman
Harvey Norman
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closed Comments

  • +7

    Awesome… That's a $1 cheaper than the normal sale price.

    • +2

      Yep, but it's $129 at the moment everywhere

      • +8

        that's why I voted +ve

        • I just can't justify paying that much after I bought my last 2 $50 cheaper!!! ;) "cashback offer"
          I did however get a near new (with reciept) Live Hub for $100. I'm thinking this will end up at the in-laws though… only to make my life easier!!!

  • +2

    Does it have netflix?

      • +10

        it does. updated link

      • ..And makes me look like a fool… D'OH

      • +10

        Actually, it does. Maybe do your research before slamming someone down.

    • -6

      If it's imported it will, if it's Australian stock it wont. I had to buy mine from Amazon to make sure it had Netflix on it.

      • +5

        Australian models work just fine with Netflix. All you need to do is factory reset them once you've VPNed in or set up your smart DNS service.

        • Just purchased one from the USA as I was under the assumption from Unotelly, Getflix etc that the Aussie model would not display the Netflix app. Glad to be wrong though.

          As I didn't want to take the chance I purchase it from an American store on Ebay for $84USD Shipped (Around $96AU)for the WDBHG70000NBK and Netflix is working fine with Getflix.

        • -1

          That was my impression as well, at least we both got it cheaper than this deal.

  • Scan the receipt? Maybe we can price match.

    • doubt it, it's a clearance sale… you'd need to show the advertised price for the price match.

  • -5

    Bought this last year for $90 at JB Hifi, still not a good price for such a device since it cant play most MKV

    • did you get the $50 cashback? I think mine ended up costing around $40-$49…

      • That must be the deal last year at OW for $99 with $50 cashback.

        • -3

          I returned the device since it would not play almost all my video in MKV

        • +13

          Never had an issue with any mkv on mine…

        • +7

          you had to do the firmware update to resolve this, it was listed pretty much on every forum

        • +4

          yea, mine works fine

        • +5

          I returned the device since it would not play almost all my video in MKV

          I've never had a problem with any MKV files.

        • Is that able to show the build-in subtitle(if there is) from the MKV file?
          and how's the quality of the movie?

        • +2

          Thats weird because I have literally thousands of mkv and it has played every one I have tried. As mkv is only a 'container' it depends what files you have inside that container. (Mine are all h264 hd videos with either dts or dts-hd audio)

        • +3

          Absolutely. You can circle through the various sets of subtitles (if there's more than 1) with the dedicated subtitle button. The same goes for the audio.

        • From my understanding and tested on my unit, it depends on how you have set up your shared content. If you use a "Media Server" then only some filetypes are supported but as a "Network Share" then MKV will work. You can change your content source on the WDTV by pushing the "red" button on the remote.

          My PC is set up as both a Media Server and as a Network Share as my old smart TV only works with "Media Servers" which i think has something to do with DLNA?.

        • If your MKV is x265 or 10bit probably. I can play most if not all my MKV. My only complain is the UI getting lag when I have large amount files in my library, anyone know can this be solved?

        • Already did a firmware update at the time but it just wont read the file or video w/o audio.

    • +2

      Got a tone of mkv's and never had any problems with any of them. Been using it for a couple of years now, got 2 of them actually. Yet to find a file i couldn't play on it.

  • +1

    I'm pretty sure this price is about how often it goes for now and then. But you're right this HN deal at the moment seems to be the only real sale on this. By the looks of it it's a store specific deal so very limited stock.

    • But you're right this HN deal

      I don't think it's a HN deal, it's just that one store…

      I doubt very much even another HN store will match the price, it's currently listed at $148

      • Yeah well it is a HN store isn't it. Ok i should have said the particular HN one store only deal. This is only good if you live near to the store.

        • It's always worth giving it a crack at JB on say a Sunday arvo. That's how I bought my last one sub $100.

  • +3

    Great device, except its networking system is terrible. So often it can't connect to our network shares, seemingly requiring random resets of it, the router, and the networked computer. Plex works 100% of the time though, as does working off local storage. Just be aware that if you're wanting to exclusively use it for playing from network shares that you might want to look elsewhere.

    • Was just about to ask a question in relation to this. What would be a good alternative that is able to stream decently(looking at VPN to access Netflix)??.

      • Sorry, I don't have any suggestions for an alternative. I was looking into them for a while, but didn't find anything that seemed like it'd be more reliable. If I had to I'd have tried an android box (probably G-Box was at the top of the list), but I found that Plex was good enough for our purposes (once I added everything as a 'Home Movie' so I could access files it couldn't categorise).

      • This box is great for Netflix and other streaming services.

    • +1

      This has not been my experience. I've even been able to stream 1080p movies from a laptop over a fast wireless network.

      • I agree, I've never had an issue in what I'm streaming. But I have occasionaly had network issues where it couldn't find my networked drive. A quick reconnect to the existing network and it was back straight away.

      • I'm not talking about the speed of its networking, just the reliability. There are numerous threads on their forums of others with this experience too. Once you get it to connect it's fine.

        If you're only using the networking temporarily (ie, connect a laptop and then connect to it) it's probably not an issue, but connecting to a file server I regularly have network issues trying to connect to the shares. As mentioned though, Plex always works fine (so it's not a router issue).

        • +1 to that carbon, i have the exact issues you are describing.

          I find that if i transfer files onto my HTPC from another PC then the WD cannot access my network share.

          The fix is either 1. Do the network diagnostics and reconnection in the WD settings or 2. Restart HTPC aswell.

        • I was about to question your router based on the piece of $#!t Speedstream that Optus just sent me as I'm having a lot of issues staying conected at the moment. But that's not just the WDTV, also Tivo, phones, etc.!!!

        • It might be an IP address conflict, or a sharing issue. Once I added all my devices to my routers ARP table it's been problem free networking at my house.

        • Nope, and nope. IP addresses are fine, sharing is fine. One of the major problems that is faced is which device is the master browser, which indicates they're using quite an antiquated networking protocol. There are numerous threads about it, without any firm solution. There are also other problems that crop up though…

        • Had the same issue, realised that neighbours Wifi channel was interfering so changed my channel, no problems since.

        • Mine's connected by ethernet, so wifi isn't an issue.

        • …and adding ARP entries to your router may fix this issue. Have you tried this yet?

        • Yes.

    • I'd suggest it's a router issue. Perhaps try setting a static IP and add it to the routers ARP table. Works fine for me.

      • As above, not a router issue. It connects to Plex without any problems at all, and I never have any networking issues before. It has also persisted throughout changing routers over time.

  • +1

    I got mine for $49 due to cashback. Mine plays all the mkv's I throw at it. For $100, it is a pretty neat device to turn any tv into your personal media centre, so it is great when travelling with the kids.

  • FWIW, the WDTV Live firmware is relatively easy to hack to get extra skins and features.

    From my research the B-RAD firmware seems to be the most popular. (Info below)

    I found an open-box item at the BNE CBD officeworks for $75 and passed on it as it would add too much complexity for the family.

    Anyhow, for those that are interested:

    http://b-rad.cc/wdlxtv/

    external dvd drive capability with cd-manager-0.7 **fixed**
    ext2 & ext3 filesystem support ** (un)officially supported now **
    ext2 & ext3 hotplugging
    all media (including network shares & optical devices) can be viewed in ‘All Videos’
    USB Hub support
    mounting of WDTV Optware package (if available) at boot, for access to ~1300 additional programs
    mounting of app bin packs (if available) at boot, for plugNplay addtional functionality
    mounting of OSD overlay (if available) at boot, for full theming (sample)
    limited USB Ethernet support
    IP via DHCP (by default, configurable)
    Samba/CIFS support aka windows share mounting (requires Samba app pack)
    Experimental wireless adapter support (thx to Zorander) (requires wireless-mod-wdlxtv app pack)
    Ximeta NDAS device support (requires ndas app pack)
    Telnet server
    pure-ftp server (requires pure-ftpd app pack)
    configurable to automount NFS shares (requires nfs app pack)
    user customizable background & screen saver images ** new **
    selectable 4/8/10/12/21 video thumb view (see Changelog)
    selectable 4/6/8 file list view (see Changelog)
    sleectable 10/15 photo/music thumb view (see Changelog)
    user customizable init.d scripts for full os customization ** new **
    emergency flash recovery 
    
    • +4

      My understanding is that applies to the WD Live but not the WD Live streaming (SMP) which is the one on sale?

    • +2

      Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the b-rad firmware is NOT for the WD TV Live Streaming player.

      He seems to have made one here though..
      http://b-rad.cc/1340/homebrew-firmware-wdtv-live-smp-gen3/
      … but it sounds like it is full of bugs and I wouldn't recommend people use it.

      As I said, my info may not be accurate … but would hate for someone to download it, waste hours trying to get it to work, or worse, brick their player.

    • +2

      As above, custom firmware is not really available for the Live Streaming.

    • +1

      Hi all,

      My apologies. As the Ozbarganers have pointed out this firmware is not for the unit on offer.

    • Cheers for making us aware of custom firmware

      For everyones information especially those that may have an earlier version check your model numbers on the wiki http://wiki.wdlxtv.com/Main_Page

      This one is the Gen3 WDBGXT0000NBK

      WDTV Live Streaming [Gen3]
      (Model number WDBHG70000NBK, WDBGXT0000NBK) (Work is being done to support it: http://wiki.wdlxtv.com/Y_U_NOT_SUPPORT_MY_DEVICE#WDTV_Live_S…)

  • This is a re-post of a comment I posted on a similar topic a few months ago. Hopefully, it will help answer some of the questions here and provide some other useful information.

    Since then, I have also been using it to stream Spotify through my home theatre and it works great (you do need a Spotify Premium account to use it, but the sound quality you get is worth it, to me anyway).


    I have bought 3 of these a year ago - 2 for different rooms and one for my parents. All 3 units are still going strong and the software upgrades have been great.

    I agree with what others have said about taking the time to learn to use it as it has more features and options than you can poke a stick at.
    I only experienced issues with it hanging a couple of times, which was fixed by a hard reboot (i.e. unplugging from the power outlet).
    For those who don't know, it has 2 USB ports, so besides a hard drive you can also attach a USB keyboard (wired or wireless) for services like YouTube and the like, or use it for two hard drives, e.g. a powered 3TB and a smaller portable or a flashdrive.

    Some other neat things I have been able to do with it:

    • I have a good wifi network and have been able stream 1080p videos stored on the laptop at the other end of a large living room. I was amazed, as I was sure it wouldn't work. YMMV, of course.

    • If the movie has different soundtracks (e.g. DTS, PCM, multi-lingual, directors commentary etc) it's really easy to skip through these with the 'audio' button. The 'subtitles' button works the same way.

    • Most buttons on the remote are actually programmable from the settings menu, so you can create your own shotcuts.

    • Fully DLNA compliant, so you can browse the media stored on various devices around the house.

    As others have said - a great little box. The only downside I can think of is that it can get fairly warm even when on standby.

  • +1

    These are great when they work however my last two units have ended up fried/blinking LED of death. Both also dies just 13 months after purchase - amazing accuracy outside the warranty period. Other than this issue they really work well - YMMV

  • +1

    passed on it as it would add too much complexity for the family.

    I'm not quite sure what the complexity is that you're talking about? I bought one for my in-laws for this exact reason. It's probably one of the easiest things around to turn on, pick a movie and press play!
    Adding hacks and changing features from standard certainly would be a quick way to complicate things though!

    • Hey Snoop.

      My current setup is super simple due to the built in capabilities of the Panasonic Plasma (ST50a)
      Wifey and I watch our tv and movies via the WD MyCloud device
      The kid movies and TV are on an old Verbatim 250GB USB drive.

      Everything can be controlled using the Panasoic remote. The only exception is the rare occasion what I have to pick up the home theater reciever remote to watch movies in surround sound.

      Bringing in a WD TV device adds the complexity of switching inputs, remotes, etc. Fine for me but not fun for wifey and son.

      Soooooo….my current solution is menu-ugly but functionaly practical.

      • I had the same problem except with a blu-ray player and A/V receiver in addition to the TV and the WDTV Live. So I got a Logitech Harmony 650 through a recent deal on here and life is peachy.

        I have even set it up to start the receiver, TV and WDTV and launch Spotify, then set the appropriate scene on the receiver - all with a single button!

        FYI - despite what it said on the box the harmony 650 can control up to 8 devices with up to 25 steps per activity.

  • +1

    I have two of these and one 1tb hub version. I cant stand them. Constantly lose previous network and have to rescan, slooooooooooooooowwww, cant play mkv and other files. I cant wait to get rid of these. Just received my cs918s media box today. if its good, I'll be selling all my wd boxes!!!

    • I agree about network issues, but I've never had problems playing MKVs or any other files for that matter.

    • The hub version definitely uses older hardware - I think it's the same as the non-Streaming version. A you sure that your two other units are WDTV Live Streaming Media Players and not just WDTV Live? I think many of the people who are reporting similar issues actually have the "budget" versions.

      • yeah got the current ones. they cant play the anime mkvs. other ones are ok. doesnt like how those are encoded

        • +1

          I think I can recall 1-2 instances where it couldn't play an MKV but that was a while back. Perhaps the firmware upgrades have fixed it since then.

    • I would love to buy one, however your messages are disabled in Ozbargain. If you are willing to sell and negotiate a price, contact me via the messages. https://www.ozbargain.com.au/privatemsg/new

  • +1

    This is a great box, had no issues with skins, foldersheets, network streaming and Netflix both at 1080p.

    A bit surprised it has been at this price point steadily for quite a while now, never seems to be much cheaper.

    • Clearly they're still popular at this price, so there's not much incentive for them to drop it further.

    • Besides, they've steadily kept adding features and removing bugs (unlike some (phone / tablet manufacturers) so the value proposition has actually increased since it was released.

      There's also the fact that there's still not a huge range of well-executed similar devices out there. Although Chromecast is coming to the Australian market and should shake things up a bit.

  • This or $1 more for ATV http://www.dicksmith.com.au/tv-video-accessories/apple-tv-ds… or xbox 360 and wifi adapter for Media streaming device hmmmm … Using Rpi atm. Thoughts?

    • +1

      Apple TV won't play networked media without going through iTunes (which requires recoding the files), and Xbox 360 has a lot of issues with some formats (ie, it won't play MKVs natively, it also requires either recoding or streaming via a PC that's recoding on the fly).

    • +1

      Apple TV won't play third party media formats like MKV. It's designed to play Apple's proprietary video format such as found on iTunes. It's basically an Apple iTunes hardware media player.

  • Is it possible to upload the receipt?
    Best price they could do was $112 at the Harvey Norman Martin Place store.

  • Pretty standard price tbh. Also this is the version that can't be flashed with aftermarket firmware (although they are working on it)

  • I'm off topic here but might be worth reminding people that the Google Chromecast is supposed to have its international launch next week. No idea how much they'll be here ($40? $50?) but its an awesome bit of kit.

    I love being able to navigate Hulu, Netflix, YouTube on my tablet then watch the shows on the big screen - no messing around with crappy remotes and cumbersome native STB/TV apps. Rumours abound that the last Android BBC iPlayer update included Chromecast support that may become automatically active on 19/03/2014, the UK launch day.

    For anyone with a PLEX server on their HTPC/NAS/whatever, Chromecast integration is now a free feature so it's also great for watching local media.

    Love my Chromecast (as does the wife so it must be doing something right).

  • Doesn't do XBMC. Since I installed XBMC i've never looked back… http://xbmc.org/

  • -1

    why would you need this when Xbox/Vuze/Samsung TVs have Wi-Fi streaming?

    • Wasn't me that negged you, but as has been said before, a lot of TV's don't have good media playback integration. My older samsung series 6 doesn't play most mkv files, Xbox doesn't play mkv well etc.

      This plays everything, and does it well and very simply with a very, very small footprint

      • -1

        Even the 7 series Samsungs aren't that good for media playback.

  • Been using 1 for a couple of years, no issues here. Used to have an external hdd attached, now a WD mycloud attached to router, and WD TV attached to router, and not a single issue playing files off the my cloud. Interface is simple, and official app is good for when my 2yo hides the remote!

    Upgraded from an Astone media player and have never looked back and never needed an alternative!

  • I was wondering how long that Harvey Norman would last for. Any idea when it's last day is? Might pop in to see what other stuff they have in clearance.

    • I'm glad to see another Harvey Norman closing down!! (most of their Franchisees are smug gits, good to see them with a worried face awaiting bank foreclosure).

    • Last day should be 5 Apr if I remember correctly

  • Even though this thread is now marked as expired (store has no more stock): I managed to get this price matched at JB world square on 20 March. If anyone wants a copy of the receipt (it just says price matched to harvey norman, so you may be ablke to get OW to price beat that), send me a message and i'll provide you a copy of it.

    • It's my belief that OW won't match previously purchased items (eg. taking a receipt from another store in) unless it's still a currently advertised price. But like you've done, and I did previously, go in and see a JB store that has more ability to play with the pricing!

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