There’s a firmware update available for the WD TV. It’s version 1.01, and you can download it and install it right now from the WD website. A lot of issues were resolved. The complete list is available in the release notes.
Here’s a summary of the salient points:
- Now you can update the firmware when using a drive larger than 500GB. You may think this is an unlikely scenario until you try to use a large storage device like the Drobo with the WD TV.
- Better subtitle support (SMI, SUB, ASS, SSA, MKV) with user-selectable font size for subtitles
- Disk volume name display in folder navigation; this was an annoying bug, as you couldn’t tell which drive you were browsing if you had two of them connected to the WD TV
- Jump feature: while fast forwarding or rewinding, if next of previous buttons are pressed, the WD TV will jump 10 minutes forward or backward
- EXIF orientation flag functionality for auto picture rotate. Thank goodness! It was really annoying to have to turn my head sideways or bother with the rotate feature every time a photo taken in portrait mode was displayed.
- Display sizing menu for photo playback: fit to screen, full screen, keep as original
- Resolved issue where WD TV would not turn back on with remote after extended period of inactivity; previously WD TV had to be unplugged and was unrecoverable with the remote
- Added 1080p 24hz support
- Resolved info bar display issues in PAL (European display standard) mode
It’s important to note that there’s still a known and unresolved issue, namely this: if the user unsafely removes an HFS+ formatted drive from the media player without using the Eject button, the drive will become read only media. I’m not sure when this will be resolved.
The installation instructions for the firmware are what one would expect them to be and fairly simple to follow. I’ll reproduce them for you here from the WD release notes for firmware version 1.01:
- Go to http://support.wdc.com and download the latest firmware update compressed file for your Media Player. (Here’s the direct download link for version 1.01.)
- Click “Downloads” then the product name (or photo).
- Extract the two files (.BIN and .VER files) to the root folder of a portable USB drive.
- Connect the USB drive to the HD media player’s USB port.
- Press HOME, and then select the Settings bar.
- Select the firmware upgrade icon, and then press ENTER.
- You are prompted to perform the firmware upgrade.
- Select OK on the firmware update prompt, and then press ENTER. This will restart the system.
- After restarting, the system automatically enters firmware upgrade mode.
- Once the update process is completed, the HD media player will restart again.
- Once the HD media player restarts, the new firmware is automatically loaded.
Raoul Pop 
Hi,
Bought the WD HD TV in the states about a month ago and I live in Iceland. Thing is that I seem to have the same problem as everybody else that I cant find this upgrade on my hard drive. I´ve tried everything… this is getting REALLY annoying not to be able to upgrade the firmware just because the WD player doesnt find it.
I´ve tried to put it on the top of the hard drive, in some folders and nothing happens just cant find anything. Even tried to unplug the USB connection but still no luck! Do I have to upgrade with an older firmware first? Any help is well apprieciated.
So FRUSTERATING not being able to have the sound because it´s digital sound. Basicly having to buy somekind of home theator just to get the optical sound plug. Then I might just as well have just bought a more expensive HD media player.
But first of all I really need help to be able to upgrade the firmware!
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Gunnar, have a look at these comments and see if the advice works for you. Also, try not to use a hard drive — just use a regular USB stick.
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i have a solution but its slightly long i download mkvs with ac3 not dts, thats 1, 2 you can do what i do and d/l a dvdrip or xvid divx version, what ever and extract the sound file out of both and swap them around it works for me using MKV merge you will get the hang of it very quickly or why not covert the original soundtrack to mp3
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Ok. I installed the update the latest version (release 10/1/09) and still no support for the MKV sound issue. 😦 The only way around this is to hook up a receiver that has surround sound capabilities… This seems like an easy fix for the firmware. I wish VLC would just sell their software to WD save us all the blog posting.
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I CANNOT GET A FIRMWARE UPDATE FOR SHIT. Just bought this thing and my mkv files are really annoying. 1 out of 4 have sound. Would like to see if the update will fix this but I can never get this damn folder to pop up. What are you guys naming the folder you’re dropping the 2 files into? Is there a special name for the folder like on the PS3? Their firmware update is easy just name the folder PS3 and it finds it with no problem. 😦 FRUSTRATING.
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Just put the firmware update (after you’ve unzipped it) at the root level of a USB flash drive and pop it into the WD TV. It should recognize it. If it doesn’t, perhaps your flash drive needs to be reformatted to FAT32 or FAT.
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Had same problem with updating.
Using FAT instead of NTFS solved the problem.
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ok every one a new update is available, and it has iproved sound capeabilities
so the mkvs that had no sound may work now. here is the link
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/wdtv/
regards Sam
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Here’s the answer to the original question regarding not being able to see the update icon:
This happened to me as well, but what i did was i unplugged the WD TV for 30 seconds and then plug the USB key back into it. You need to wait for several seconds up to a minute and then the Settings section will say “New firmware Found” on the bottom right of the screen in large letters. Thats it. Hope this helps.
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does any one now when the update is and can we post the priblems we are having with the wd hdtv
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I’m having the same .MKV audio problem. Some work but others do not. I cannot test the optical sound theory since none of my hardware has an optical in. We are due for another firmware update!
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hi ive been looking up on the sound buisness on some of the mkv files, and if your tv supports optical sound port and your home theatre surround sound device output has optical. i hear that this will cure the sound !! i think
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Good to know that, Sam. Thanks!
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Sam…
I’m have the exact same problem. The MKV files says Digital Audio 1, but I get no sound. The software must not support certain audio codecs within the MKV file. I’d like to see this fixed. It should work like VLC which plays anything.
-tb
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hi just a quick one, i have problems on some mkv audio but others play great,does any one know why, they pop up and say digital audio 1 and even though i change it through the hdtv no dice
regards sam
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I think the new players are being shipped with version 1.01.02. I also tried to update my firmware and nothing happened. On the settings screen select system and then scroll down and select about. This will tell you what version you are using.
I was disappointed I already had the newest version as I feel it is piss poor. What a great product idea, what a lousy product. I’d wait a year or two and see if a better system comes along. I think this idea will catch on and someone will come out with a superior interface.
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Jeff, I think the official firmware is pretty good, but if it doesn’t do it for you, then try the unofficial firmware, which makes the WD TV a NAS device, and an FTP server, and a bunch of other things. There’s even some optware you can install on top of the firmware that adds even more extra features.
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Pingback: Can the WD TV be networkable with firmware upgrade? - How To - Raoul Pop
Note: If the WD TV does not find a valid firmware, you will go to the normal WD TV Menu. Also, you will not find any firmware update option in the menu
above is what i get nothing what does this mean its already updated?
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i have tried to find the icon to update firmware but i cannot for the life in me see it.
ok you music foto’s and settings ok on the settings no icon can some one help please
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Sam, I didn’t even have to find it. All I had to do was to plug in the stick where I’d put the firmware update, and as soon as I clicked on the Settings icon, a message popped up on screen that asked me if I want to upgrade the firmware. Perhaps you already have the latest firmware, and that’s why it’s not showing up for you. Are you sure you placed the two files at the root of the drive/stick that you connected to the WD TV?
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