[vnabhi]

Thanks Ajay and Ketan. Looks like I'll hunt for the WDTV version 2 now.

[theMAG]

I brought a Samsung DVD player recently with USB functionality. I later found out that it only reads from flash drives and not portable HDDs. Is there any workaround for this?

I would really need it to read my external HDD since all my favorite classic comedies (Yes Minister, Carry On collection etc.) are on that.

[null]

Originally Posted by Samurai

I finally bought Aimersoft DVD Ripper. ....
Not really happy about this software. I should have spent lot more time evaluating.

If you are ready to experiment, pl. try Super to convert VOB files (if I am not mistaken) into MKV format. Gives good flexibility on the parameters (bitrate, framespeed,aspect size, audio etc). I have not tried it since I dont have HD TV. If needed, you can rip the disc as well using the free ripper mentioned below & use that for super conversion.

SUPER &copy - Convertor
DVD Decrypter download DVDDecrypter - Ripper

[vishaltanksale]

Originally Posted by theMAG

I brought a Samsung DVD player recently with USB functionality. I later found out that it only reads from flash drives and not portable HDDs. Is there any workaround for this?

I would really need it to read my external HDD since all my favorite classic comedies (Yes Minister, Carry On collection etc.) are on that.

Get your HDD formatted in NTFS and then try, this might work.

[hrishig]

Originally Posted by vnabhi

Friends, Romans, BHPians---can anybody please respond to the query above?

Thx

WD Media player is working with whatever I am throwing at him. I guess the new version is about to be announced. So the prices will be cheap.
Now make your choice

Originally Posted by theMAG

I brought a Samsung DVD player recently with USB functionality. I later found out that it only reads from flash drives and not portable HDDs. Is there any workaround for this?

I would really need it to read my external HDD since all my favorite classic comedies (Yes Minister, Carry On collection etc.) are on that.

Apart from formatting , you also may need the power source for your HDD. I am facing the same problem with philips , I ended up putting them on 16 GB USB.
Now WDTV Zindabad

[kaushik_s]

Originally Posted by vishaltanksale

Get your HDD formatted in NTFS and then try, this might work.

I'm 100% sure that the Samsung DVD player won;t even recognize an NTFS formatted drive.

TheMag, the issue can be, either your drive is NTFS formatted which can't be read by your DVD player. OR,
(if your drive is FAT32) your DVD player is not able to supply the adequate power to your HDD. Normally the workaround is to get a external power supply for your drive and after that it'll be read by your player. So better bet to get a powered drive(I've tested with WD 500GB home edition on my Pioneer and it works) and copy the movies there and then play using your DVD player.
But the best option is to get a WD TV or something like that ;-)

@Ketan, hey buddy, let me know if you know someone who is willing to part away with his WD TV as he has moved to Xtreamer. I'm interested in buying one if I get a good deal.

[Ketan]

Originally Posted by vishaltanksale

Get your HDD formatted in NTFS and then try, this might work.

It shoul be the other way around. these DVDPlayers may not read NTFS. I had the same issue with my Philips DVP-5996.
Make sure its FAT32, if not give it a try hopefully it will work.

Okay, I just see that Kaushik responded there. I agree with him. external power can also cause this.
@Kaushik, I remember reading thru a couple of threads on hifivision where one guy was using WDTV for about 7 months and he just got himself an Xtreamer. I shall let you know if I come across such an offer

[Ajaybiz]

I have Philips player with USB and it reads even from my 1TB WD HDD.These players dosent supports NTFS, FAT32 is the supported format.
Mag try this last option, first power on the player after that connect the HDD and then press the source as USB, it might work as some times it happen to my Philips player.

[theMAG]

Gents,

Thanks for all those inputs. Now, my external HDD is the portable laptop HDD (FAT32) with the USB dabba over it. It does not come with an external power source. Have I reached a dead-end?

[Ajaybiz]

Yes its over now as older gen laptop HDD with USB use to die like this only, it may come up after few tries that time take the data and trash the HDD, try keeping in air tight polythin bag and keep it in fridger for an hour and connet it to your machine some time it works.

[kaushik_s]

@Ketan, thanks mate, let me know if you see someone selling there. I couldn't see any buy and sell section at that forum.

@Mag, there is a hack possible to provide power supply to an USB device. The outer pins of any USB chord will be power ports and if you can splice open it and connect a proper adapter's(required o/p voltage) terminals you can supply power to the HDD. But you need to be extra careful about choosing the adapter for the same power rating as your drive.
Another option may be the USB Y-cable and an USB power adapter and connect the USB power adapter to the power chord of the Y-cable. I never tried this and don't know if it can work. The power adapter will have output port which should take USB port, it's like the iPod power adapter.

[ajaydelhi]

Yesterday, I got Optical Cable from Croma to connect Xtreamer to my Onkyo HTIB.

Superb 5.1 Audio, better than what I got from co-axial cable, connected between my LG DVD and Onkyo HTIB.

I connected Xtreamer to Onkyo HTIB with Optical cable and connected LCD TV to xtreamer with HDMI cable.

[vnabhi]

Guys, I am finally going in for the kill this week---my pal is in the US and he's shortlisted the WD player per the link below:-
Western Digital WD TV HD Media Player - WDAVN00BN - Buy.com

What I want from experienced guys is how do I know if it is the new version or the old?

Thanks

[Su-47]

Originally Posted by ajaydelhi

Superb 5.1 Audio, better than what I got from co-axial cable, connected between my LG DVD and Onkyo HTIB.

Were you seeing some interference issues with digital-coax connection: signs like loss of synchronization resulting in occasional mute/noise? If not, then the optical connector can not improve the quality. Its just a change in the physical medium, and, the data carried (and the bit resolution etc) remains the same.

[Samurai]

I don't think WD2 is yet released. However, thanks to you bumping this thread, I found out that they released a major firmware update yesterday.

BTW, is this WDTV2? WD TV Live HD Media Player ( WDBAAN0000NBK )