WD TV Live boxes left bricked by firmware update

In its short stay on retail shelves the WD TV Live HD media box has picked up an avid community of users for the unassuming unit -- at least until they tried to update the firmware of the last couple of days. Forum reports show formerly operational units with nothing but a blank screen after download the v1.101.12 update. For its part Western Digital has acknowledged the problem and pulled the update from its site, but given the poor ratio of successful upgraders to mourners in the thread, we hope it sees loyal customers out of RMA hell and back to 1080p video playing bliss quickly. Until then, we'd keep clear of that "upgrade now" screen until the next patch has been thoroughly vetted.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[jeremycushing Posted Dec 6th 2009 10:43PM]

I was toying with a Popcorn hour and decided to get this. I am glad I bought this. I just need to stay away from the updates for a bit.

Jeremy Cushing

[carg0 Posted Dec 7th 2009 2:31AM]

i bought the Viewsonic VMP70. same features, same price but, unlike the WD TV, it also includes a 'component' output.

[Bixmen Posted Dec 7th 2009 11:06AM]

Sounds like Apple TV 3.0....

[akg4y Posted Dec 7th 2009 11:15AM]

The WD Live TV also has a high DOA and early failure rate... basically the power light blinks and the WD LiveTV logo at the beginning is all you see. I would stay away from this device as the quality is obviously not quite there yet.

[Nicnac Posted Dec 7th 2009 12:03PM]

never had network problems, wired ethernet from a server running XP pro...

programmed the harmony remote and love this little box.

[tranzparentl Posted Dec 7th 2009 1:44PM]

oooops, Looks like you guys should have went with the Popcorn Hour.

[radio1 Posted Dec 8th 2009 6:53PM]

Well, first of all, this update was marked as critical. It offered no additional new features, only 'increased reliability', 'ability to receive updates' and no bricking (my own paraphrase).

Secondly, this is a consumer grade device. Firmware installs on these type of devices should go perfectly, especially when companies are pushing them. No one thinks a second though of updating their firmware for PS3 or iPhone... Why not this also? If this happened to one of those devices, this would be national news.

There is no rhyme or reason to the bricks, only the particular firmware involved.

Everyone's best bet (who bricked) is to go to your vendor to return them item for a new unit. Try this even if your device is out of the return policy. (I had to do this myself) Because Western Digital will only supply a refurb unit back to you, if you decide to RMA.

I have a rather lengthy post on Gizmodo about my experience...

[Janos Posted Dec 16th 2009 5:13PM]

I thinking of buying this device and just have one question - is it possible to watch HD movies through the network or do i need to play that through a USB storage attached directly to the box?
Thanks in advance