Suggestions for a DLNA HDTV?

[jaw04005]

I’m getting a new HDTV for Christmas — likely a tier one brand like Samsung, Sony, Panasonic or LG.

Anyone have any suggestions for a DLNA/media streaming ready HDTV? Would prefer it support at least h.264 (and DiVX would be nice) and allow the possibility of media playback via USB.

I know some of the Sony and Samsung models likely do this. However, it’s hard to find reviews where they go in depth about the feature instead of just glossing over it as part of the specs.

Any reviews of the media interface and/or playback capabilities would be welcome (for example does the XMB on Sony’s HDTVs function like the PS3?).

I’m trying to get rid of as many set top boxes/consoles as possible in my living room (currently have a 360, PS3, Apple TV, TiVo, Cable Box and Roku).

 

[mrbass]

To answer your question I don't think any HDTV will allow anything more than basic mp3 files and photos to play back (correct me if I'm wrong) via USB or ethernet. Most video h264, etc. you need to get a dedicated 1080p player.

I have two ReadyNAS NV+ devices which I enable DLNA media service. WD TV Live $120 plays the bluray rips 1080p no problem via DLNA. Sometimes if I copied a ton of new files I might have to manually tell it to refresh the database of files. One weird thing is .iso and .mov files I need to access via regular shares. No idea if this is a ReadyNAS issue with DLNA or WD TV Live issue. Not a big deal as almost all the time it's .mkv bluray rips I'm playing.

I didn't get appletv since it's only 720p. Don't stream netflix on my xbox360 since it's stereo sound.

 

[notjustjay]

I briefly considered this but the cost differential on a smaller TV (which is what I want for my kitchen) just didn't make it worthwhile for me. I can get a decent 32" LCD for $400-500, but to find a model with this feature bumps me to the $800-1200 range. Granted those TVs are 1080p versus 720p, but in my specific usage scenario in the kitchen I don't need premium image quality.

So for me it looks like I'm back to the Apple TV or HTPC scenario.

 

[jaw04005]

TI have two ReadyNAS NV+ devices which I enable DLNA media service. WD TV Live $120 plays the bluray rips 1080p no problem via DLNA. Sometimes if I copied a ton of new files I might have to manually tell it to refresh the database of files. One weird thing is .iso and .mov files I need to access via regular shares. No idea if this is a ReadyNAS issue with DLNA or WD TV Live issue. Not a big deal as almost all the time it's .mkv bluray rips I'm playing.

Does the WD TV live show menus? Like if you ripped your DVD to ISO?

 

[mrbass]

no menus for isos. So yes it's a problem for tv episodic dvds that's for sure. Gonna wait a few more months see if a firmware fixes it. If not then just gonna have to rip each episode to h264 in .mkv sigh.

Currently if you play the .iso then it'll only play the first title. So say it has 4 tv episodes on that .iso only can watch episode 1. Other than that though it's pretty much perfect. 1080p, no fan, 5 x 5 inches, hdmi, low price, etc.

I guess my friend just bought a 50" plasma tv this week (just found out tonight) and it can do all that stuff youtube, etc. So I wasn't aware the new TVs could do basic internet streaming. hmmm