What about playability of 1080p mkvs?
So far so good at least with some files in my collection, for example:
Spiderman 1 (10GB):
- WDTV 1: unplayable, pixellated and jerked a lot
- HD Pro: no more pixellation but it still jerked a bit, much less but noticeable
- WDTV Live: no pixellation, smooth and no jerkiness
Indiana Jones 4 (14-15GB):
- WDTV 1: lots of pixellation, jerkiness
- HD Pro: smooth but still had brief pixellation at just before 8 min mark
- WDTV 2: the pixellation at just before the 8 min mark was still there
Meet the Robinsons (6.5GB)
- WDTV 1: didn't get to test
- HD Pro: lots of green pixellation
- WDTV 2: no pixellation problem
Chicken Little (4.37GB)
- WDTV 1: unplayable, pixellated and jerked a lot
- HD Pro: no more pixellation but it still jerked a bit, much less but noticeable
- WDTV Live: no pixellation, smooth and no jerkiness
Tested the Godfather 20+GB files briefly, no apparent problems. Also tested Quantum of Solace 28GB mts file briefly, no problems also.
So in terms of playability I would rank the WDTV Live as definitely number 1, HD Pro a good number 2 (although it also had problems with 2 files that ran well with both WD TVs), and the WDTV 1 a poor number 3.