Modding the WDTV

Apparently, there's quite a community growing up around Western Digital's excellent WDTV set-top box. I got an email today from Christopher C., who told me about two sites dedicated to modding the thing (and providing links to updated versions of the legit firmware, both release and beta versions). Good stuff if you want something like the Apple TV that's cheaper, more expandable, and now, apparently, about as extensible.

They are:

http://b-rad.cc/wdlxtv

WDLXTV is a souped up unofficial firmware for the Western Digital WDTV. It is based off of the 1.02.03 firmware, but with many extra features. Similar to my dvdmod firmware, this is a permanent flash, just like an official upgrade. This firmware is an option for those whos hardware is stable with Zoranders ext3-boot, or those who don’t do much firmware programming to take advantage of ext3-boot. Once again, ext3-boot is for (sorta) pro’s and testers whereas WDLXTV is for everyday use.

http://www.wdtvc.com/

Covers official WD TV new pre-release firmware and B-rad's WDLXTV firmware.

Good stuff. Thanks Christopher.

Discuss this Article 6

daveinla
on Apr 14, 2009
And for people without PhD in computers: http://boxee.tv/ The excellent Boxee on AppleTV, or better yet on Macmini...
mikegalos@msn.com
on Apr 14, 2009
Or, of course, just use a Windows Vista or Windows 7 PC that includes Windows Media Center.
anonymous
on Apr 15, 2009
BEGINTRANSMIT Enough with this tomfoolery! It is time to steer the conversation towards important topics of the day. What is your position on the conquest and enslavement of the feral slime pod entities on Quaalak V, as suggested by Nostos, the Deliverer of Chaos? Inquiring minds wish to know! ENDTRANSMIT
anonymous
on Apr 15, 2009
Well, Commander, personally I'm opposed to it. Those slime pods have freely oozed about the surface of that planetoid for eons, and just because your species now wishes to put them to hard labor dissolving diamonds for your consumption, doesn't make it right to do so. Was it not Beltoid the All-Knowing who issued the Righteous Proclamation, barring interference on other homeworlds for profit? What would Beltoid do? Put that in your mandible probe feeder and smoke it.
Sir_timbit01
on Apr 15, 2009
Has anyone compared the WDTV to the Popcorn Hour box?
LuxZg
on Apr 15, 2009
Agree with Mike there.. i'm personaly aiming at a similar philosophy as Microsoft had for a while - PC as a center of my home. Single box that can do it all - streaming, recording, downloading, uploading, serving, gaming, projecting, playing, and whatever else you need. Only reason to have more than one device is - if you have more people in your home, each wanting to use it on its own. So for my wife and me - two should be more than enough. Out with everything else!

Please or Register to post comments.

IT/Dev Connections

Las Vegas
September 30th - October 4th

Paul ThurottYou'll have the opportunity to experience:
• 120 Technical
Sessions
• Networking with Peers
• Expert Speakers


Come See Paul Thurrott & Mary Jo Foley in Person!

Register Now

Office 365 InfoCenter

Get the latest insight and info from Paul

Read Now!

What I Use