WDTV Live, OGM1 & iPhone 5 = Amazing!

wottenad · February 3, 2013

If you want the most bang for the buck you can get from spending under $100 on your vehicle's entertainment system, order a WDTV Live Media Player (WDBHG70000NBK - $65 for a refurbed unit on Amazon), connect it via the built-in wireless to the hotpspot on your iPhone or other mobile hotspot, download the WD Remote app, then you'll be able to control the WDTV with your phone (or with a mobile hotspot, from an iPod Touch)!

What this means is that now you can hide the box completely (under a seat, in the glove box, etc) and not have to worry about having line-of-sight access for the remote - it's done via wi-fi. You can hook two USB sticks or hard drives to it, as well as access YouTube, Netflix and even Slingbox (watch the video!) from the WDTV.

It's badass:

CPD1670 · February 3, 2013

Pretty Sweet, what modification did you have to make to the Media Link Cable in order to tie the WDTV in, or were you able to just plug it into the existing 3.5mm input on the Media link? Also I noted that older versions of the SlingBox won't work, it has to be a newer version that is compatible with the WDTV.

wottenad · February 3, 2013

Pretty Sweet, what modification did you have to make to the Media Link Cable in order to tie the WDTV in, or were you able to just plug it into the existing 3.5mm input on the Media link? Also I noted that older versions of the SlingBox won't work, it has to be a newer version that is compatible with the WDTV.

My setup is pretty complex, since I've done multiple relays to switch in multiple different devices on the A/V input of the Advent. You can hook up the WDTV Live to the existing 3.5 mm A/V jack on the media link pod just by sourcing the correct RCA to 3.5 mm adapter and hooking it to the A/V cabling that comes with the WDTV Live.

These are the pin assignments on the Advent's 3.5 mm adapter:

tip – left +
second ring – right +
third ring – ground
fourth ring - video +

You are correct about the Slingbox - you do need the latest version to be able to have that as a built-in app, but I just ordered a refurbed unit from Amazon for $68 shipped to my door, so it's not going to break the bank to pick up a newer version...

CPD1670 · February 3, 2013

Walt,

You wouldn't happen to know the pin assignments on a standard 3.5mm audio/video plug? I have the plug, I just need to know what cables to cut and splice in order to work on the Advent input.

Thanks

wottenad · February 3, 2013

Walt,

You wouldn't happen to know the pin assignments on a standard 3.5mm audio/video plug? I have the plug, I just need to know what cables to cut and splice in order to work on the Advent input.

Thanks

There really is no "standard", so you have to match what I outlined - use a VOM and meter your adapter.

Advent input: Tip is left RCA +, 2nd ring is right RCA +, 3rd ring is RCA ground and last ring is video RCA +

Batiatus · February 5, 2013

Sorry for the OT question, but what about Spotify & Slacker support? I did a search, but did not see anything.

wottenad · February 6, 2013

Sorry for the OT question, but what about Spotify & Slacker support? I did a search, but did not see anything.

Spotify is there, Slacker is not.

scz71864 · February 9, 2013

is the watch ESPN app able to stream through the wifi to the OGM?

scz71864 · February 9, 2013

although i guess i could stream ESPN from home

CPD1670 · February 13, 2013

Set this up today and Walt's right, this is the Cat's ass. I spend a lot of time in my vehicle sitting stationary and this is going to be great! Love the Sling Player feature.

wottenad · February 19, 2013

Set this up today and Walt's right, this is the Cat's ass. I spend a lot of time in my vehicle sitting stationary and this is going to be great! Love the Sling Player feature.

Told ya!

Did you get the refurbed version for about $70?

CPD1670 · February 23, 2013

Told ya!

Did you get the refurbed version for about $70?

Yep, Got it off Ebay. One thing I did notice is that watching Netflix via the WDTV seems to use a lot more data that watching it via my ipad. Not sure why this happens, but it's something you might want to keep an eye on if you don't have an unlimited data plan.

08G8V8 · February 24, 2013

Where is the best place to ground the unit? I got accessory power from under the dash, X14 pin 8, and grounded at pin 1. I am sharing the pin 8 power with my backup camera, and have a SPST switch on the WDTV. I grounded both my backup camera and WDTV to pin1.

I am getting a whine on Video input and WDTV on with the vehicle running, and increases with throttle.

Thanks

wottenad · February 24, 2013

Where is the best place to ground the unit? I got accessory power from under the dash, X14 pin 8, and grounded at pin 1. I am sharing the pin 8 power with my backup camera, and have a SPST switch on the WDTV. I grounded both my backup camera and WDTV to pin1.

I am getting a whine on Video input and WDTV on with the vehicle running, and increases with throttle.

Thanks

It might be a ground issue, and grounding it to a clean metal stud or screw would be the best bet.

If you still have noise after that, it might be worth trying a couple of different RCA noise filters on the red & white audio output RCA's of the WDTV to see which one cuts it down the most.

We always had great luck using Audiovox IST2 filters, but I don't buy them anymore, so I don't know if they are still available...