Hey, just wondering what's going on in the way of media players currently. I have tried the ATV2, and the WD Live. There were things I liked about each. I love the WD Live's ability to play anything thrown at it, and the external USB ports, but hate the interface. I like the ATV2 a lot... when Jailbroken.

I was just wondering if there were any other units that you guys have tried that you liked.

I have a Boxee (http://www.boxee.tv/). I've gone on about it's functionality in other threads so try searching for it. In a nutshell ...

Boxee acts like a wireless router that attaches to your TV. You can plug it in through ethernet as well. It will find all the media content on your network and act as a hub to play it through that TV. It also pulls in all content that's available online. You can connect it through a VPN as well. The interface is excellent and I have yet to come across a media format that it can't play.

I have a Boxee (http://www.boxee.tv/). I've gone on about it's functionality in other threads so try searching for it. In a nutshell ...

Boxee acts like a wireless router that attaches to your TV. You can plug it in through ethernet as well. It will find all the media content on your network and act as a hub to play it through that TV. It also pulls in all content that's available online. You can connect it through a VPN as well. The interface is excellent and I have yet to come across a media format that it can't play.

Iss the WD Live Hub basically the same concept?

The thing that scares me about the Boxee is that while I have read good reviews, I have read a LOT of really bad reviews for it ( most of them customer reviews). And those are pretty current reviews.

I'm not familiar with WD Live so can't speak to how it works. Regarding reviews on the Boxee, I can't really speak to those either. I can just relay my experience and it's been all good. Like anything wireless, reliability will be as good as your connectivity I suppose. I have mine plugged into the TV in bedroom and the Boxee is plugged directly into an Airport Express. I have no issues with lag steaming HD content from my Mac, even in 1080p. Netflix works nicely on it as well.

I'm not familiar with WD Live so can't speak to how it works. Regarding reviews on the Boxee, I can't really speak to those either. I can just relay my experience and it's been all good. Like anything wireless, reliability will be as good as your connectivity I suppose. I have mine plugged into the TV in bedroom and the Boxee is plugged directly into an Airport Express. I have no issues with lag steaming HD content from my Mac, even in 1080p. Netflix works nicely on it as well.

My TV is actually right near my router, so I'd just be keeping whatever I used wired. What appealed to me about the WD Live Hub is that is has 1 TB storage on it. I had thought the Boxee had storage built in as well, but I guess it doesn't.

Iss the WD Live Hub basically the same concept?

The thing that scares me about the Boxee is that while I have read good reviews, I have read a LOT of really bad reviews for it ( most of them customer reviews). And those are pretty current reviews.

I tired the Boxee with someone and it never worked. Just never booted up, so gave up on it. He went with the WD Live. Which itself is not the best. Crappy interface and it does some wierd thing if you connect the USB drive directly to the unit. If you connect it to a shared drive on a network it works ok. Takes for ever to load cover art though. You would think they would look at some open source solutions. But it works and plays the videos fine.

So I will wait until the Apple TV3 is able to be jailbroken and use XMBC.

My TV is actually right near my router, so I'd just be keeping whatever I used wired. What appealed to me about the WD Live Hub is that is has 1 TB storage on it. I had thought the Boxee had storage built in as well, but I guess it doesn't.

But then you are stuck if that hard drive goes. Where as if you purchase a seperate external case with 1 TB or 2 TB .If the HD in it crashes you open the external case and replace the HD. Remember to make backup, or ouch.

I replaced my ATV 1 with a Sony Media Player. I love it.

Netflix, supports almost all formwats (MKV, divx, etc.), last.fm, nhl, etc.

Best part, cost

$35 (factory refurb) at Sony outlet in NY state

Wireless Internet Entertainment | Streaming Player with Wi-Fi | SMP-N100 | Sony USA (http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&partNumber=SMPN100)

I replaced my ATV 1 with a Sony Media Player. I love it.

Netflix, supports almost all formwats (MKV, divx, etc.), last.fm, nhl, etc.

Best part, cost

$35 (factory refurb) at Sony outlet in NY state

Wireless Internet Entertainment | Streaming Player with Wi-Fi | SMP-N100 | Sony USA (http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&partNumber=SMPN100)

That is cool. The ONE thing that literally stopped me from buying the new aTV is the fact that it only has HDMI, and my older HD rear projection TV only had component, so no way to hook it up, and no add-ons or any support for older TVs, I would have to buy a new TV!

That is cool. The ONE thing that literally stopped me from buying the new aTV is the fact that it only has HDMI, and my older HD rear projection TV only had component, so no way to hook it up, and no add-ons or any support for older TVs, I would have to buy a new TV!

I thought this too, but then noticed in the link that the unit is no longer sold. What's with that?

They discontinued it because most of the functions are now built into their tvs.

Of course the usb input for hard drives, ipod/iphone remote control is not.

I got mine at the Woodbury Common Outlet store,or rather I got 2.There were hundreds stacked up there.

Sony Outlet Location Listings | Sony USA (http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&identifier=S_SonyStyle_Outlets)

here is the newer one, the SMP-N200
Canada Computers | Video Devices | Sony SMP-N200, smart Streaming Player - Built-in Wi-Fi, Full HD 1080p with HDMI output, DLNA, USB, iPhone/iPod touch and Android Remote Control App (http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=44_567&item_id=042624)