WDTV Live woes: or how to get 1080p over COMPONENT
« on: October 25, 2009, 03:24:50 AM »
swartz
Newbie
Posts: 14
Sup y'all
This might not be interesting to anyone who got WDTV Live to work over HDMI without any issues.
But there are some (like myself) who had the misfortune of not being able to enjoy WDTV Live to its full potential.
First, without going into much detail, I could not get WDTV Live to work in HDMI at all. WDTV Live boots to WD logo, screen flickers, and then TV says no HDMI input error.
More info here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=17370554#post17370554
I have tried everything, different cables, different settings, etc. I have tried it ALL. Does not help. My HDTV works with Bluray player and laptop over HDMI, but not WDTV Live. WDTV Live works fine with another TV. So its not broken per se. I returned one WDTV Live box to the store and got another one. Same problem: can't connect over HDMI.
So when I say I tried it all I really mean it. So the conclusion is that either my TV or WDTV live (or both) suffer from the dreaded HDMI handshake problem. When I contacted both device manufacturers they blamed each other and no one wanted to do anything. So much for support. Once they got my money, it's mission accomplished for these guys. Why care anymore, eh?
I waited for WDTV Live to come out for a while. Heard plenty of god reviews about the original WDTV and the hacked firmware appeal.
But I wanted network right out of the box. Needless to say, wen I finally got WDTV Live and couldn't get it to work was a HUGE disappointment.
If I were to keep WDTV Live I wanted 1080p on my TV to work, period... or WDTV Live would be punted out the bloody window. Why should I settle for less, right?
Oh I nearly smashed the damn thing after countless wasted hours. But... it didn't all go to waste it turns out.
I discovered what I think is a bug. I now believe there is an artificial limitation that prevents WDTV Live to just have an option of 1080p over COMPONENT cables.
For whatever reason (hollywood interests prolly) WDTV Live officially does not support 1080p over composite cables.
Coz' you know that's like unprotected hi-def video and all... Like HDMI/HDCP ever stopped anyone really serious about pirating content.
All this protection nonsense only prevents legit consumers (like myself) from enjoying their products.
See official WD knowledge base answer ID 3798 for WD answer regarding 1080p over component.
http://wdc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wdc.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=3798
No explanation as to why, just not supported. Dare to explain? Surely, there is no physical limitations.
For doubters, 1080p is possible over component. See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Component_cable
But I digress...
To see this bug/glitch at work, try this:
1. Connect WDTV Live to a TV capable of 1080p over component (you can leave HDMI cable disconnected)
2. While using component input on your TV, go into A/V Settings on WDTV Live box
3. Select Component as source
4. Select 1080i @ 60hz (the highest option for me)
5. Select RGB for color space. If you select YUV this glitch wont work fully (only lasts in confirm resolution screen, when OK-ed, reverts back).
6. Click OK to confirm resolution change. And confirm that your TV is now 1080i over component.
7. Now go to A/V setting again and select HDMI (yes now go to HDMI even tho HDMI might not be connected)
8. Select 1080p@60Hz (the highest for me).
9. Select AUTO in Color Space (although RGB High or Low should both work, not sure about the last option there).
10. Your screen will flicker and you will get the Confirm Resolution change - check your TV's info what resolution it is in. BAM! 1080p over component, something WD says is not supported.
11. Don't forget to click OK in this screen. The screen will stay in 1080p over component (if you hadn't set Color space in step 5 to RGB, but rather to YUV this step will revert back to 720p over component)
12. You can now play 1080p content over component at full quality. Counter to what WD is officially "supporting".
After following these steps my TV confirms it's getting 1080p over component. I can also visually confirm difference between 1080i and 1080p modes on the TV. In 1080i I can visually spot interlaced lines especially when there is a lot of action on TV with high black/white contrast. While 1080p does not exhibit this interlaced line effect.
There is one limitation however:
WDTV Live does not save this setting properly when powered down.
So if you turn your WDTV Live off or place it in standby it will revert back to 720p when back on.
So you have to do this sequence of steps every time it turns on or never turn it off (duh!).
I hope someone like b-rad would be able to make this setting save properly. I have little hopes of WD officially supporting this. And, unfortunately, my bet is this glitch will be fixed in the next official firmware release from WD.
So if you're like me with a 1080p TV and WDTV Live not cooperating with each other, there is still hope to get full 1080p picture on your HDTV although not through HDMI like you might want.
So far I confirm this bug existing on two separate WDTV Live boxes with either the official firmware from WD or with b-rad's hacked firmware v0.1.4.
I hope that some may find this information interesting so that is why I post this.
I just ask that if someone could test this out on their set ups and either confirm or deny it would be most welcome to myself and others, I'm sure.
Thank you!
Što je prilično lošije nego 720p, ona bela linija u menijima mi je malo iskrzana, kao da nema antialiasing...
