WD TV Play

6 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
usability (7)
design (4)
price (3)
reliability (2)

Negative

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 6 reviews of WD TV Play. The average rating for this product is 3.4/5, compared to an average rating of 4.2/5 for other products in the same category for all reviews. People really like the price. The design is also mentioned favorably, whereas there are some mixed comments about the reliability.

usability, design, price

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other products in the same category the WD TV Play is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 88/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 6 reviews)

Expert Reviews

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Expert Reviews User Reviews

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Showing 1 - 6 of 6 Show Reviews: in English

Expert review by : Adrian Justins (techradar.com)

WD TV Play review

WD's answer to Apple TV is here

Low price ; Decent mix of online and network streaming ; Customisable interface

Flaky on-demand streaming ; Limited codec support ; Poor quality remote

The WD TV Play has a low price for a DLNA-compatible wireless box with access to a range of video on-demand and other streaming services. Although its interface is attractive and versatile, its flakiness when streaming online services and limited codec...

Jun, 2013

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Expert review by : Ty Pendlebury (cnet.co.uk)

WD TV Play review

I have had a personal fondness for WD TV boxes since the release of the original streamer in late 2008. Each model has improved markedly on the last, and the newest WD TV Play is the best of the bunch.

The WD TV Play offers an improved interface and a greater selection of content than before. Setup is easy and the connection stayed solid during testing. The WD TV Play is one of the best values available in the market.

Missing some important apps, including Amazon Instant and live sports apps. The device couldn't playback all test videos despite listed compatibility. The gaming apps aren't very worthwhile.

The WD TV Play is the best alternative to Roku and Apple TV for viewers looking to access their personal media collection.

Feb, 2013

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Expert review by : Michael Brown (digitaltrends.com)

WD TV Play review

When we connected it…and played a few movies and TV episodes, the video from Western Digital's box looked dull and washed out…

We suppose $70 is the right price for the WD TV Play, since it delivers 1080p video resolution plus the USB and Ethernet ports that the Roku 2 lacks for $10 less (Roku has two players with even lower price tags, but they’re both limited to 720p and are...

Feb, 2013

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Expert review by : Sascha Segan (pcmag.com)

WD TV Play

Western Digital's latest low-cost media hub, the WD TV Play, dabbles in many cord-cutting areas, but doesn't lead in any of them.

Can play both streaming and local media. Excellent configurable interface.

Doesn't offer as many streaming channels as Roku, or play as many local formats as WD's other products. Buggy.

Conclusions If you're looking to stream content off the Internet, the Roku boxes, including the $50 Roku LT ) , are a better bet than the WD TV Play; they have far more channels available, including professional sports, a better selection of movies,...

Mar, 2013

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Ty Pendlebury (cnet.com)

WD TV Play review

Missing some important apps, including Amazon Instant and live sports apps. The device couldn't playback all test videos despite listed compatibility. The gaming apps aren't very worthwhile.

The WD TV Play is the best alternative to Roku and Apple TV for viewers looking to access their personal media collection.

Feb, 2013

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Expert review by (toptenreviews.com)

WD TV Play Review

At first glance, the WD TV Play won't exactly blow you away. It looks like any other media streaming box on the market and many of its features, on the surface, seem standard as well. However, as you dig deeper, you see it is multifunctional and has...

The WD TV Play offers many of the advantages you'd expect from home media servers. Since it doesn't have a built-in hard drive, it relies on computers on your home network for content and a USB external hard drive to store media, but it can directly...