WD officially intros new and improved media hub

One day after it was spotted for sale at Best Buy, Western Digital officially introduced its second-generation WD TV Live HD Media Player. The device is capable of playing back full 1080p videos from attached thumb or external drives, as well as networked computers, on an HDTV.

Compared to the original device, there is a quicker user interface, and users can also watch YouTube, Flickr and Pandora content on their home theater TVs. Users can also connect their digital cameras and camcorders via one of the two USB 2.0 ports on the TV HD Live. Music is also playable, and there is support for both Pandora and Live365 (Shoutcast) streams.

Ethernet as with most devices links the hub to the local network. Unlike some media players with USB storage support, though, the Western Digital box can see both drives simultaneously and sort their content alphabetically. Users can also copy, transfer or delete files on the USB media or networked PC.

The included remote control allows for fast forwarding, rewinding, zooming and panning, as well as turning on subtitles. Video connections include HDMI 1.3, composite (RCA) and component; optical audio output is also available.

WD prices the TV Live Media Player at $150, though Best Buy is selling it for $120.

By Electronista Staff