WDLXTV – enhanced WDTV firmware 0.5.8
November 1st, 2009 22:31

WDLXTV is a souped up unofficial firmware for the Western Digital WDTV. It is based off the 1.03.01 firmware, but with many extra features. Similar to my dvdmod firmware, this is a permanent flash, just like an official upgrade. There is no Linux knowledge required to use WDLXTV.

I’ve finally found the time time make a new WDLXTV release, now based on WD TV firwmare 1.03.01. There have bee a lot of changes since the last published release, mostly background tweaks/bugfixes/enhancements.

If you enjoy my work please make a donation. My time is thin and donations help focus me on producing new & better versions. Thanks. :-)

0.5.8
* now based on firmware 1.03.01!!!
* persistent video resuming enabled if empty file called: video_resume_table exists at root of device at boot
* WDLXTV can disable all 'WDLXTV' features (config_tool -c WDLXTV=OFF)
* crazymount can be disabled (config_tool -c CRAZYMOUNT=OFF)
* crazymount can be set to load apps ONLY (config_tool -c CRAZYMOUNT=APPSONLY)
* Optical drivers can be disabled (config_tool -c DISABLEOPTICAL=YES)
* rc startup scripts can be disabled (config_tool -c RC=OFF)
* list.watch can be disabled (config_tool -c LISTWATCH=OFF)
* mount.watch can be disabled (config_tool -c MOUNTWATCH=OFF)
* plug.watch can be disabled (config_tool -c PLUGWATCH=OFF)
* NTP can be delayed (for possible NTP+remote fix] (config_tool -c NTP_DELAY=10)
* net.mounts execution can be delayed [possible sluggish remote fix] (config_tool -c NET_MOUNTS_DELAY=10)
* all this disabling is untested & experimental!!!!!!!!

0.5.7.2
* disable NTP to fix (maybe) sluggish remote & video resume issues (from ssh/telnet console: config_tool -c NTP=OFF)

0.5.7.1
* re-enabled screen_saver.png
* added missing icons & xml from official FW1.02.11
* rewrote mount.watch
**** removed active device polling/activity -- no disk activity
**** redesigned .addMounts background implementation
**** accomodate devices with no UUID better
* disable .addMounts for a directory (for app.bins) by non-destructively adding entry to /conf/config:IGNORE_SCANDIR
* list.watch monitors /conf/config for changes before acting
* small patches to xmount, crazymount, & plug.watch
* /conf/fstab now available, by UUID only
* crazyboot & plug.watch respect fstab
* users are enabled (experimental)

Importantly: It seems as if I *might've* finally found & fixed the sluggish remote / unresponsive video issue that popped up for a small minority of people a long time back. It turns out that dmaosd doesn't like a lot of stuff happening while it is loading, and especially does not like NTP changing the system clock during init. So, if you have been/are affected by this bug you need to do the following from telnet/ssh/S00custom-options:

config_tool -c NTP=OFF

if you'd like to see if you can get NTP to coexist you can try the following instead:

config_tool -c NTP_DELAY=20

Note this delays the NTP sync, hopefully letting dmaosd initialize before it grabs time. You might need to change this to suit...and it might not even work ;-) The bug doesn't affect me so what does / doesn't work I don't know, you'll find out.

Also, I have enabled the ability to disable almost every part of WDLXTV...essentially making it possible to turn WDLXTV as close to stock as possible. To have WDLXTV run as stock, with no extra functionality:

config_tool -c WDLXTV=OFF

To run WDLXTV as DVDMOD, where only Optical drivers and additional list views are enabled:

config_tool -c WDLXTV=OFF
config_tool -c DISABLEOPTICAL=OFF
config_tool -c LISTWATCH=ON

Note that you'll have to enable Media Library to use Optical Drives this way.

There are obviously many combinations you can make enabling/disabling the internal parts to get various combinations of functionality.

NOTE: if you disable WDLXTV (config_tool -c WDLXTV=OFF), the only way you'll be able to reenable it is by using the factory reset in system options


You may find the latest release at the WDLXTV page.

You may download this release here.

If you feel you have something you'd like to contribute or would like to submit a patch, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Post any bugs you come across at wdtvforum in the WDLXTV-0.5.X thread. Don't forget to check out the WDTV HD player unofficial firmware wiki.

I’ve spent a tremendous amount of time hacking the WDTV firmware, so if you appreciate my efforts please donate a little something using the link below : ) Thanks & enjoy.


Posted in WDLXTV, WDTV by b-rad
RSS 2.0
David
November 2nd, 2009 13:48

As I had some trouble with RS in the first place, here’s a mirror:

WDLXTV 0.5.8: http://bit.ly/wdlxtv058
WDLXTV 0.5.7: http://bit.ly/wdlxtv057

Rod
November 2nd, 2009 14:50

Sweet… Thank you b-rad

Sergio
November 2nd, 2009 15:06

Nice! Good job b-rad. Any ideas how to have youtube on the box?

Rod
November 2nd, 2009 19:17

Still have that remote problem… must be a WDTV problem…

did do config_tool -c NTP=OFF and rebooted…

Remote has a mind of it’s own…

Thank you

Dan
November 3rd, 2009 05:19

Nicely done, this ability to turn off and slim down the memory foot print’s what I’ve been waiting for, for a while.

Achim Pietig
November 3rd, 2009 10:07

Hi,

many hanks for your quick efforts to build a new firmware. I have he following problem with V0.5.8:

My LevelOne USB-0201 Gbit ethernet adapter with ASIX AX88178 chip is not recognized. I tried several reboots and a system reset of the WDTV, no succes.
After downgrading to V0.5.7 the adapter works again…

Regards,
Achim

<<< edit: will look into when I have time. –brad >>>

Carlos Matos
November 3rd, 2009 13:29

After version 0.5.7 wdlxtv doesn’t excute the S00custom-options file. I can’t change font size and thumbnails size like I did with version 0.5.7 and earlier. Am I missing something ?
I’d try with diferent pen drives but don’t work.

<<< edit: I’ll look into this when I have time. –b-rad >>>

ccmlee
November 3rd, 2009 13:43

thank you b-rad
but please!! support the subtitle on DVD-ROM
Please!!

ccmlee
November 3rd, 2009 14:12

Please!! support the smi or srt in DVD-Rom
Please!! Thank You

Neoculture
November 3rd, 2009 15:36

Wow – quick turn-around.

Just one question; do USB hubs still work with the new firmware?

Thanks.

Neoculture
November 3rd, 2009 15:42

Actually, I have another question. What are the following used for (or where can I find info on them)?

* crazymount
* list.watch
* mount.watch
* plug.watch

Thanks.

Joey
November 3rd, 2009 16:36

A cool little trick that I don’t see posted a lot about the wdtv is that you can hit fast forward once and then hit the next button to jump 10minutes forward it works great on files that don’t have or don’t support chapters.

I can’t wait to see more hacks for this

<<< edit: The WD TV[s] will probably be out for years and still not everyone will know about this trick ;-) –b-rad >>>

Mark
November 3rd, 2009 22:34

B-Rad, Great work.
I have had this remote problem for many many firmware versions using WD lx TV. I reed on a forum that by adding this into the net.config file it fixed the remote hangging issues.
NTP=blabla.ntp.org
From what i know it can just be made up.
Hopefully this can help some eople out there or maybe help you to resolve the issue.
As soon as i put this in, i have not had a issue since.
Please keep up all the good work, we all appreciate it.

<<< edit: that essentially disables NTP, same fix I came to find. –b-rad >>>

Ydrohoos
November 4th, 2009 02:05

I can’t change font size and thumbnails size in version 0.5.8…. I change S00custom-options file but nothing….

<<< edit: I did something to cause it to not be executed, will be fixing soon. –b-rad >>>

Steve Hughes
November 5th, 2009 01:05

B-Rad – Always amazed at your quick turn around and attention to detail – GREAT JOB! I have been looking for a way to have the WDTV send a Wake On Lan magic ping to my file server when first turned on. Any Ideas?

Thanks

<<< edit: theres WOL software in the optware feed. –b-rad >>>

Juan
November 5th, 2009 04:54

I can not get osd.bin recognize that I have a hard drive in NTFS, you can not load specifically osd.bin of Lilibabe.
Can we fix it ourselves or what you have to solve?

Eric
November 5th, 2009 09:55

Have flashed my WDTV to new firmware 0-5-8, mainly for media library support for my usb hub. I can see all my movies on my harddrives when media library is off, but when its on I only see the contents of 1 of the hard drives. They are WD 1TB connected through a targus usb hub. was wondering if I was doing something wrong or perhaps using a bad usb hub?

Thanks for your help and Firmware!

<<< edit: you need to add a text file called (exactly), .addMounts, to the root of the drive that is showing up. Go to the forums for additional help. –b-rad >>>

illusion
November 5th, 2009 12:21

Just dropping some words of thanks. Keep up the great work b-rad, your firmware is the sex.

Pinkey
November 5th, 2009 15:14

Hi, i bought a used WDTV and it had a older version of your FW installed, i updated it to the newst and it works fine, even the WLAN USB stick works well. My only problem is that it seems that the guy from where i bought the WDTV has set a telnet password and i cannot reach him atm. I googled but i dont found a way to reset it to default :/ or any other way to log into telnet.

is there a way to solve my problem? best regards.

<<< edit: pw-reset.app.bin resets your password to blank…place it on a memory stick and power cycle your wdtv. It should work afterwards. –b-rad >>>

Eric
November 5th, 2009 20:21

Hey, Thanks for replying b-rad. I added the .addMounts to my harddrive, still have an issue, I went to the forum as directed and opened this topic: http://wdtvforum.com/main/index.php?topic=2665.0

WDTV: Make video resume boot persistent « Allan Willems Joergensen – OnDemand
November 6th, 2009 08:37

[...] This feature has now been incorporated into WDLXTV 0.5.8. [...]

Reg
November 11th, 2009 05:27

Had my Buffalo linkstation streaming fine up until 0.5.7 but after that, even the 7.1 release my apps and config files are not run so no IP setting or mounts. Is it something obvious I am doing wrong?

Thanks for all your fantastic work so far.

mandre
November 12th, 2009 23:11

Here is a torrent for downloading 1.03.01_b-rad.cc_wdlxtv-0.5.8.1.zip:
http://www.seedpeer.com/details/2669897.html

Ian
December 2nd, 2009 17:58

Great, i just stumbed on this today. Does it have random video play i like to dump all my family guy south park and simpson boondocks episode in a playlist and then play it randomly before bed :)

thanks for the hack!!!!!!

<<< edit: no, but coule be possible. –b-rad >>>

HKMacs
December 17th, 2009 17:12

Big problems with this upgrade. Endlessly scanning attached USB drives. Drives will not aggregate for full list. Says the drives are read-only which they are not. General very sluggish response from remote. What do you suggest. Tried reverting to official upgrade. Then applied this one again. Should I revert to 0.5.6.1?

<<< edit: You should do whatever works best for you in your situation. You can try the sluggish remote fixes too. –b-rad >>>

HKMacs
December 19th, 2009 16:34

I’m too scared of hosing the damn thing as each re-upgrade takes forever. Best I wait till you have a new one. I think something’s wrong with the unit. WD seems to think that it never aggregated two drives – I’m sure they’re wrong, though. Also USB light flashes continually. Is there a mailing list for your new upgrades?

vixducis
January 7th, 2010 05:56

I have a huge problem with playing audio files. When I select one to play, it shows the loading symbol (the moving circle), and starts playing the music. But the loading symbol just won’t go away, it doesn’t show the normal track info (artist, track, album art). I also can’t use the next and previous functions? What to do?

<<< edit: reflash? disable then re-enable media library? dunno. –b-rad >>>

Tom
January 8th, 2010 23:42

On the player I would like to set back earlier version of firmware: WDTV_1_03_01.How do I do this because it refuses to show me the icons upgrade.Map I called in every way possible and don, t. Some Example: 1.04.01.WDL-0.5.8.1
1.05.01.WDL-0.5.8.1
1.04.01_B-RAD.CC_WDLXTV-0.5.8.1-enhanced version
1.04.01_B-RAD.CC_WDLXTV-0.5.8.1
WDTV_1_04_01

<<< edit: 1.99.99 should do the trick. –b-rad >>>

gareth
January 12th, 2010 04:55

Hi,

whilst playing a video the remote seems to stop functioning i.e i cant pause, stop forward or reverse or go to the options. i can power off with it and also go back to the menu screen. any ideas?

thanks

<<< edit: ssh/telnet in and then execute config_tool -c NTP=OFF. Refer to the forum for more help if you need it. –b-rad >>>

Christos
January 13th, 2010 00:09

Hi,

I am actually only using the external DVD support of this firmware and it is GREAT!

The only thing I would really like to see is the external subs support for the DVD… Please check it out!!!

thanks!

<<< edit: Please donate $20+ and then I’ll check it out ;-) –b-rad >>>

Christos
January 14th, 2010 00:58

Also, 2 questions:

- In order to see a dvd in the drive, I have to power off and on the device. Just switching the WD off and on doesn’t help. Is this the way to do it?
- Also the eject button doesn’t work. I have to switch off the WD (or even power it off) in order to eject the disc. Was it supposed to work?

Again thanks again…

cybert
January 15th, 2010 06:58

I need to delay the BIN load 8 seconds to give the external USB drive time to spin up. Is that possible?

<<< edit: yeh, sorta: echo 8 > /conf/crazymount.wait –b-rad >>>

balzac
January 22nd, 2010 09:51

Question about the hubs. I have 3 drives, one is not on a hub, 2 are. I don’t use media library due to a lot of TV seasons. When I Click On USB1, which only has 1 drive – I see 2 drives (one not on the hub plus one on the hub). When I click on USB2 I see 1 on the hub. Is there a way to tell the system that I want to see USB1 as one drive (which it is) and USB2 to show however many drives on the hub?

jay
January 25th, 2010 21:37

THanks for the firmware, I was searching to see if it would have the ability to play my music videos randomly…

I see that the base firmware allows random music playing, but not random playing?

Do you think you can add this feature on the next build?

<<< edit: next build? no. Eventually? maybe. Not on my priority list though. –b-rad >>>

Larry
January 27th, 2010 14:17

First,thanks b-rad for the excellent job!

I have two WDTVs. All have your latest WDLXTV firmwares. I have a hard drive with all my movies attached to one of them. Both WDTVs are connected to home network with USB to Ethernet adapters. I want to watch movies on the 2nd WDTV in another room. However, I do not want to unplug/plug the hard drive for that. What’s the simplest solution to share the hard drive attached to first WDTV with the 2nd one? If possible, would you give some detailed instructions? I appreciate your help!

<<< edit: Your options are NFS or SAMBA exported shares. You’ll have to look up the information on your own or consult the forums for help. –b-rad >>>

frakki
January 31st, 2010 09:09

Hi im having the same problem as gareth. The remote does not respond while playing a video! ive tried the NTP-OFF but the issue is still there. Any other ideas?
disabling the media library fixes the problem! but my osd mod needs media library on

<<< edit: Ask on the wdlxtv forums –b-rad >>>

Gigi
April 11th, 2010 04:54

It is there a Firmware or Custom Firmware with DTS Decoding?
A can’t hear the sound in MKV with DTS audio track…

<<< edit: Well you should’ve bought a device with DTS decoding ;) WDTV G2 and WDTV Live both decode DTS. –b-rad >>>

Ruben
April 13th, 2010 18:41

Does this modification allow for connecting drives larger than 2 TB? Right now, that is the only mod I am interested in trying… It would be nice to connect my HFS+ formatted Drobo without having to partition (i.e. one big volume). In fact, if you could point me in the direction of the donation link… Tks.

<<< edit: You can find a donate button in the about page. I’m unsure if 2TB would work, as I don’t have any—feel free to try and report your findings to the homebrew forums. –b-rad >>>

pyro41787
May 7th, 2010 02:55

random video would be awesome.. be great if you could ook into adding that at some point :D

Perry
May 10th, 2010 11:03

can i use these firmwares on the wdtv mini?
how do i connect to it, and change the icons, or background?
thank you

<<< edit: No. The mini is a completely different machine and is not currently hackable. –b-rad >>>

DavidM
July 7th, 2010 07:38

I have an esata enclosure with 4 1.5tb drives configured to appear as 1 6tb unit the wdtv does not seem to see any drive bigger than 2tb is there a solution

<<< edit: Short of buy me the exact setup to test and work with hands on to find a solution? Probably not. –b-rad >>>

tonester
July 23rd, 2010 23:17

hi b-rad. thanks for the awesome firmware. The font size of the highlighted file on the bottom of the screen seems to be bigger than the official firmware. Is there a setting for me to change to decrease this font size?

omid
August 26th, 2010 04:45

hi
im omid and firmware updated but it doesnt work with external dvd rom (my external dvd rom is sony drx-810ul )please help me use from your firmware
thanks
i wait u

Martin
November 6th, 2010 10:59

Hi b-rad,

I have WDTV Live with Firmware version 1.01.11.WDLXTV_LIVE-0.3.2.
Will it support to upgrade to this new firmware 0.5.8 or later?

Thanks

hector
September 6th, 2011 09:26

Hi b Rad.. I would just like to strongly encourage random, suffle video playback. i wonder would it not be possible to copy the sequencing algorithm from audio/photos and add it video playback… Anyway please do this!! I hope if done, some more people should donate, happily
thanks

hector
September 6th, 2011 09:27

sorry i was refereing to wdtv gen 1

<<< I haven’t worked on gen 1 in a year and a half and I don’t intend on getting back to it. What you’re asking for wouldn’t happen anyways, not technically feasible. –brad >>>

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