WDTV Codecs FAQ

• Will it be possible to add functionality? Like more codecs or even possibly fixing existing problems ?
  That's difficult to do, because only WD has the source code of their binaries :\ .. We can only add features to the the standard Linux components of the system. Things like adding networkingto stream videos via a pc, etc. are possible. Much of the functionality is locked away inside the Sigma Designs chip that controls the HDMI port, composite port, and sound–so it is currently (and probably will remain) impossible to modify these features.
• Has anyone tried to implement DTS down-mix ?
  No, this feature is dependent on signed Sigma microcode. Instead, you have to use PCH Audioconverter and re-encode to AC3 and remux movie into an .mkv container. This will create a file with an AC3 audio track and the original DTS track. This file will play as AC3 audio on the WDTV and other players will play the original audio. This process is fast, so it is worth your time to try and learn how to do it rather than waiting for true DTS support.
• Do I need to have a USB stick plugged into the WDTV if I am using ext3-boot firmware ?
  Yes, becouse ext3-boot firmware loads from this USB drive and continues to run off of it. You may choose to use a try USB hard drive for extra capacity and run the ext3-boot firmware from that. It is dangerous to flash the firmware onto the WDTV because ext3-boot is under constant development and some releases may even brick your WDTV.
• I want test your firmware. Is it possible flash back to the original firmware ?
  Yes, you have to only follow this small how-to. It's simple and it's same process used for the factory firmware upgrades. The WDTV.VER file has to be modified because the WDTV will only accept firmwares with a higher version than what is currently installed. The WDTV.VER file is plain-text so it is easy to edit.
• Any chance someone would like to work on a port of XBMC to a WDTV
  Since this box runs linux and XBMC is now available for Linux http://xbmc.org/development/#Development of XBMC, it should be possible to port XBMC over if there's enough CPU power (face it, the original XBox isn't exactly powerful).

• Is it possible to play video from my computer?
  Yes, many ext3-boot firmware users report this is working fine. SD, 720p, 1080p can be played over NFS shares, while CIFS (Windows File Sharing) can only reliably transfer up to 720p.
• Why I should use NFS and not Windows Sharing (CIFS)?
  NFS is more than 2x faster then CIFS. NFS is harder to setup, but is a UNIX system that will no doubt learn to love! Small how-to:)
• Am I able to use the network to see the data on a HDD which attached to WDTV?
  Yes, you are able copy and delete data on WDTV but you need a working USB network adapter.
• Will my wireless USB dongle work with non-official firmware?
  Maybe We recommend that if you really need wireless access use LAN wireless router/AP and connect WDTV+USB LAN dongle to wireless router or buy something like WirelessHDD HDD providing space and wireless connection to HDD or for WDTV on PC+share. Some wireless USB network adapters do work with the most recent non-official firmware releases, but we've not found any with good performance yet. Keep in mind that this is really only useful for music and SD video. HD video will never work properly over an 802.11b or 802.11g network, the bandwidth requirements are too high.
• I am Windows/Mac user how can I serve NFS files from my computer ?
  NFS on Windows (Mac: Reserved coming soon or you can add this answer)
• What do these crazy terms NFS/SAMBA/CIFS/TELNET mean?
  Some useful facts you can find here NFS, SAMBA, CIFS/SMB, Telnet, FTP
• Will you add new features like on the Popcorn Hour device?
  We have already added USB network support and remote network share capability, which is great progress!
• Is it possible play my movies over network from my Windows/Mac OS X computer ?
  Yes, some people report that it's possible play our testing sample [DIVX6 1920×1080 5670kb AC3 over SAMBA/CIFS]
  note that some USB network adapters are slower than others–your mileage may vary. faster Tester1
• How can I mount a Windows (CIFS) share from my WDTV ?
  - xmount //IP Addess/Sharefolder MountName cifs
  - ex. xmount //192.168.0.1/Media MyShare cifs
  —-
  - 192.168.0.1 is the IP address of the share computer/device
  - Media is the location on the computer of the media you want to share
  - MyShare is the name of the folder you will see when you browse on your WD
  - CIFS is the filesystem type for windows shares (or NFS if you decide to change it, see Network Filesystems)
  - Also, you might want to temporarily disable the firewall on your PC before you start up the WD device.

• I want have faster and better supported EXT2 or EXT3 filesystem but have Windows OS What I should to do ?
  Hi, you have to backup your data first, and then you can format USB-HDD to EXT2/EXT3 / use Acronis or PQ magic or free RescueSystemCD+Parted for this job or you can use CLI interface over telnet I dont recommnend this to non-experienced user with Linux devices. Also you have to install under Administrator Acount on Windows EXT-FS support, reboot and after you will be able work with EXT2/3 partition as with NTFS.

• I am using USB Keys and USB-HDD between many computers is it dangerous for my computer?
  Yes, if you have computer without GOOD Antivirus package or you have Autorun feature enabled. Up to you to disable it!
  Autorun feature is for people who aren't able to open “My computer\Local drive X” but its responsible for executing programs from media.

If you dont trust to me read this Highly recommended install this security update
or Activate this registry change ( and later install MS security patch )

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer]
"NoDriveTypeAutoRun"=dword:000000ff

Save this piece of code to file for example noautorun.reg and run it under Administrator account on your machine this will disable Autorun only