Author Topic: Iwata Confirms Nintendo Will Release an HDTV-capable console AFTER Revolution (Read 8113 times)

airraid1 · « **on:** March 23, 2006, 11:58:07 AM »

from a pre-keynote interview

question:

Quote
Why didn’t you choose to support high-definition TV with Revolution?

Iwata's Answer:

Quote
If you look at HD in the long term, you’ll see the number of TVs will shift. In the short-term, the percentage is low. Compare with what it takes to create a game with four times to six times the memory, similar factors of higher processing power. Developers are required to make those assets. For us it was more important to create this interesting new interface with the controller. In the future Nintendo will release a console that does take advantage of HD. At this point, we’ll have other functionality in the Revolution. There are other issues with HD. Now, you have a wide variety of resolutions. As we see the formats evolve, we will get a stable technology. NTSC is a stable format. It’s a matter of taking advantage of HD technology once it becomes more standard. Our focus is always next on what we can do to surprise the consumer. HD is not the best weapon. Only a small number are there...

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2006/03/gdc_an_intervie.html

So I guess that Revolution's successor will be the Nintendo console that takes advantage of HD resolutions / HDTV. does that mean a couple years after Revolution, or a full 5-year console cycle ?

interesting nevertheless. Sony was already talking PS4 as of last year. good to hear Nintendo is planning to stay in the console war beyond Revolution.

Since Nintendo is waiting what will probably be a full generation, that is, a full console lifecycle before it supports HD resolution / HDTV, when they do finally jump on board, that better include 1080(p)rogressive scan. by 2011-2012, HDTV sets that are 1080p should be widely released and in homes, and, HDTV sets in general, even ones that are just 1080i / 720p should be in a much larger percentage of homes across the world.

The Microsoft Xbox 360 is only 3/4ths of the way supporting HDTV, since it completely lacks 1080p support. The Sony PlayStation3 does support 1080p, but lacks the bandwidth and horsepower to make next-gen games feasible at that resolution at playable framerates.

1080p gaming does not make sense until the following generation consoles (Xbox720, Revolution-HD, PlayStation4) of the early part of the next decade

BlkPaladin · « **Reply #1 on:** March 23, 2006, 12:02:16 PM »

By then it would be insane not release an HD console. HD TVs will be the only TVs you will be able to buy since even though it sliped a little the changed to HD is mandated by law for TV channels. (During Bill Clinton's presdency all shorts of innane laws were past... But then agian that is a politician's job to pass laws that will get them money.)

Ian Sane · « **Reply #2 on:** March 23, 2006, 12:06:25 PM »

This isn't surprising. I assumed this just like I assumed Nintendo's console after the N64 would use optical discs and Nintendo's console after the Cube would embrace online. The issue has always been if the decision to not include HD is solid enough to last for five years without being seen as out of date. I personally think it is and that a few years from now the Rev is going to look pretty behind the times by not supporting it.

I assume Nintendo's next console will be released five years after the Rev. The competition is far too fierce for Nintendo to be releasing new hardware so soon. They got away with that with portables because there was no competition at all.

UltimatePartyBear · « **Reply #3 on:** March 23, 2006, 12:10:41 PM »

No, the change to digital over-the-air broadcasts is mandated by law, not high definition. Not that a little fact like that would stop all the electronics manufacturers from capitalizing on the confusion to sell expensive new HDTV sets.

Of course, that doesn't change the fact that HDTV will be the standard eventually, anyway.

airraid1 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 23, 2006, 12:15:30 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane

I assume Nintendo's next console will be released five years after the Rev.

exactly. that's what I was thinking.

jasonditz · « **Reply #5 on:** March 23, 2006, 12:15:38 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
This isn't surprising. I assumed this just like I assumed Nintendo's console after the N64 would use optical discs and Nintendo's console after the Cube would embrace online. The issue has always been if the decision to not include HD is solid enough to last for five years without being seen as out of date. I personally think it is and that a few years from now the Rev is going to look pretty behind the times by not supporting it.

I assume Nintendo's next console will be released five years after the Rev. The competition is far too fierce for Nintendo to be releasing new hardware so soon. They got away with that with portables because there was no competition at all.

I actually admire Nintendo for this. They don't go half-assed into stuff, they wait until they can do it properly. Maybe it leaves some of their systems looking obsolete by the time they reach end of life, but you don't have to deal with stumbling blocks like multi-minute load times in your dual speed CD-ROM system.

IceCold · « **Reply #6 on:** March 23, 2006, 01:02:37 PM »

That's true.. if Nintendo had gone online earlier, there would be no way that it would be fluid and polished enough to deliver as well as offline multiplayer. The DS itself still hasn't reached that level yet.

ThePerm · « **Reply #7 on:** March 23, 2006, 03:05:25 PM »

Ian, its really Nintendo's wait and see approach.....

Galford · « **Reply #8 on:** March 23, 2006, 04:26:46 PM »

If Rev is truely 3x more powerful then Cube, why doesn't Nintendo support EDTV? At least that will allow Rev to age more gracefully. The last thing you want is Rev still outputing 480i NTSC while everyone else is doing 720p ATSC. The difference will be beyond night and day...

BigJim · « **Reply #9 on:** March 23, 2006, 06:00:18 PM »

What do you consider ED to be? Revolution will support 480p, which some consider to be ED.

720p is considered HD by most.

KnowsNothing · « **Reply #10 on:** March 24, 2006, 01:08:34 AM »

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No, the change to digital over-the-air broadcasts is mandated by law, not high definition

I just wanted to say that I love you, so many people don't realize this and just think digital = HD.

KDR_11k · « **Reply #11 on:** March 24, 2006, 06:44:28 AM »

Of course, it's easier over here, we already had that switch and HDTVs still aren't affordable.

ThePerm · « **Reply #12 on:** March 25, 2006, 12:53:36 PM »

http://www.planetgamecube.com/forums/messageview.cfm?catid=35&threadid=15421

MysticGohan · « **Reply #13 on:** March 25, 2006, 07:43:17 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: BigJim
What do you consider ED to be? Revolution will support 480p, which some consider to be ED.

720p is considered HD by most.

or 420p could be consider HD, as HDTV sets use it as well as 1080i and 720p, all are considered HD or Higher Def, compared to a normal TV ala 480i.

But to each his own defination.

Regardless 480p is still great, will look better than what we'll see on PS3 and 360 seeing them keeping there games fluid and frames smooth will be amusing.

jasonditz · « **Reply #14 on:** March 25, 2006, 07:48:06 PM »

Most of the big electronics retailers seem to the using SDTV = 480i, and EDTV = 480p.

I've seen plenty of TV's advertized as ED capable that only go up to 480p

BigJim · « **Reply #15 on:** March 26, 2006, 08:43:40 AM »

There are lots of SDTVs with component inputs, thus 480p, so personally I wouldn't consider 480p to be HD.

NinGurl69 *huggles · « **Reply #16 on:** March 26, 2006, 03:28:36 PM »

And having component connections doesn't necessarily guarantee p.scan is available on earlier TVs (and DVD players of the same generation) -- a superclean 480i at most.

vudu · « **Reply #17 on:** March 27, 2006, 08:22:58 AM »

Quote
So I guess that Revolution's successor will be the Nintendo console that takes advantage of HD resolutions / HDTV. does that mean a couple years after Revolution, or a full 5-year console cycle ?

It's the start of the fourth pillar. Shhh...Beware the RAT.

Smash_Brother · « **Reply #18 on:** March 27, 2006, 09:53:34 AM »

HD owners don't even realize they're not getting HD

Just found this interesting.

King of Twitch · « **Reply #19 on:** March 31, 2006, 01:23:12 PM »

Yet another cover-up; HD is a hoax.

NinGurl69 *huggles · « **Reply #20 on:** March 31, 2006, 07:48:31 PM »

H.AGGAR'S D.UMPTRUCK

hudsonhawk · « **Reply #21 on:** April 04, 2006, 10:42:59 AM »

SD = 640 x 480, interlaced or progressive
ED = 720 x 480, progressive scan
HD = 720p / 1080i / 1080p

There's no "to each his own definition" about it, that's what each term means.

I agree, though, that if Nintendo just came out and said "We fully support EDTV" it would clear up a lot of consumer confusion. All they've said is "We'll do progressive scan."

I've said it before, in one of the 65 other threads on the topic, but if they don't require widescreen / 480p, I probably won't get one right away. It's really annoying going back to 4:3 after getting spoiled on widescreen - it's sort of like wearing horse blinders while gaming, plus you end up wasting a third of your TV.

NinGurl69 *huggles · « **Reply #22 on:** April 04, 2006, 12:02:48 PM »

SD still includes 720x480.
The PC-influenced 640x480 is just the "middle" 640x480 pixels within the 720x480 NTSC effective canvas. Due to traditional 4:3 TV design, we usually don't see the "extra" 80 or so vert. lines on the sides cuz the frame of typical TVs overlap the sides of the picture tube (and a little off the top and bottom too).

I'm just picking the nit-tree.

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Author Topic: Iwata Confirms Nintendo Will Release an HDTV-capable console AFTER Revolution (Read 8113 times)