Western Digital has announced that its WD TV Live HD media player is the first network media player compatible with Windows 7. Thanks to a firmware upgrade users can now initiate and control the streaming of video, music or photos to the WD TV Live HD media player and home entertainment systems from any Windows 7-based PC on their network.
The WD TV Live HD media player connects to a home network via Ethernet for a wired connection or with an optional Wi-Fi adapter. Any compatible media file accessible from the PC – located either on the PC or the network – can be played to the WD TV Live by right clicking on the file name in the folder or directly from within Windows Media Player 12 and choosing the WD TV Live HD media player as the playback device.
This means the WD TV Live HD now makes it easy to play media – including Full-HD 1080p video – on the home’s big screen TV. Content can be played from USB and network drives or any PC on the home network as well as websites. The unit can also display photos and movies directly from any digital camera or device that supports the Picture Transfer Protocol.
To make finding files easy users are able to navigate around thumbnail and list views, media library and search options using the included remote control. Transfer of files by copying, moving or deleting files stored on a USB drive, a network drive, a camcorder, or a camera to the attached USB drive is also possible using the on-screen menus.
The ultra compact WD TV Live HD unit comes with HDMI 1.3, composite and component video outputs, as well as an SPDIF digital audio output. It is available now for $149.99.
Published on May 13, 2010
