Install WDTV Live Custom Firmware: Here's how!

If the features of your WDTV-Live are no longer sufficient for you, you can also install custom firmware. You either flash your device permanently or you load the alternative firmware from a connected USB stick each time. We show you what you have to consider with both variants.

Before installing the firmware: Prepare WDTV Live

To use features like moviesheets or custom themes in the future, you only need a USB stick and the appropriate custom firmware:

1. Format your USB stick with FAT. This can be done quickly and easily with Windows on-board resources by right-clicking on your data medium and then selecting "Format". You can find further help in this practical tip.
2. Now download the latest custom firmware from the WDLXTV website. For the WDTV Live you have access to this firmware.
3. Unzip the file you downloaded using a tool like 7-Zip.
4. Copy the folder contents to your formatted USB stick. The folder structure should now look like the screenshot.
5. Now check the version number of your current, official firmware. To do this, start your WDTV and navigate to "Settings"> "System Settings"> "Info". There you will find your current firmware number, which you have to write down.
6. Open the file "wdtv.ver" on your USB stick. If the version number of your WDTV is higher than the one entered there, you should change the number to any higher number. For example, change the number "VERSION = '1.02.21.WDLXTV_LIVE-0.4.2.0'" to "VERSION = '1.40.21.WDLXTV_LIVE-0.4.2.0'". Otherwise your device thinks that the current firmware is newer than your custom firmware on the stick. The WDTV would ignore the apparently lower numbers and would not start an update.

WDTV Live Flash - you have to pay attention!

No matter which device - a flash process always carries risks. Is z. B. the power supply is interrupted, your device is almost always unusable. If you don't want to take this risk, use the "EXT3-Boot", which we will introduce to you in the next paragraph! Otherwise proceed as follows:

1. Disconnect your WDTV from the mains and insert the USB stick into the rear USB port.
2. Now connect the media player again with the power cable.
3. After a few seconds, the message appears that new firmware has been found. Confirm and wait until the device restarts.
4. A bar now appears showing the current progress of the installation. Wait for your device to start up completely. Only then remove the USB stick. You have successfully installed custom firmware on your WDTV!

Play it safe - boot custom firmware directly from the stick

If you don't want to take any chances, you don't have to flash your WDTV at all. You can also boot the same firmware safely from the USB stick. The only disadvantage: The stick must always be connected to your player. So you only have one more port left.

1. To do this, download the latest EXT3 firmware from the WDLXTV homepage. For example, this firmware is currently up to date.
2. Format your USB stick with FAT as well.
3. Now copy all files from the zipped archive onto the stick.
4. Now insert the stick into the rear USB port and then connect the device to the mains. Now your WDTV should start automatically with the alternative firmware.
5. If you remove the USB stick, the original firmware version appears again.

In addition to many other protocols, your WDTV also masters AllCast. We'll show you what else you can achieve.