Gaming Forums => Nintendo Gaming => Topic started by: Flames_of_chaos on November 13, 2007, 01:24:19 AM
Title: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Flames_of_chaos on November 13, 2007, 01:24:19 AM
From Nintendo's Photo Channel page: source http://wii.nintendo.com/photo_channel.jsp Check out these enhancements to the Photo Channel, which will be available in December, 2007.
Personalize your Wii Menu by making one of your favorite digital images from an SD memory card as the Photo Channel icon. The Wii console will replace MP3 compatibility with the ability to play AAC files, which provide a greater sound quality than an MP3 of the same size. This new compatibility will work with MP4 audio files in the .m4a format. Additionally, you can now choose to have the songs play back in a random order.
*Wii consoles sold in retail stores starting in December 2007 should include AAC file support.
*For Wii Console owners without the AAC file compatibility, you can download the updated version of the Photo Channel from the Wii Shop Channel starting in early December 2007. Please note that once you download the updated Photo Channel (ver 1.1), you will no longer be able to play MP3 format music files.
Additionally, consumers who purchase a Wii console with the updated Photo Channel (ver. 1.1) already installed will not be able to install the previous version to support MP3 playback.
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Plugabugz on November 13, 2007, 02:22:38 AM
That stinks. Drop MP3 for AAC?
Title: RE:Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Flames_of_chaos on November 13, 2007, 03:25:42 AM
Well you can always not download it, I think its stupid since MP3 is the most common music file type used.
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on November 13, 2007, 03:39:09 AM
Well that is F'n retarded Nintendo. What happened to be an "AND" company? Why can't we have MP3, AAC, and MP4? Why not throw in MOV, AVI, DIVX, XVID and whatever else standard definition audio and video format out there?
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: ShyGuy on November 13, 2007, 03:42:38 AM
What is this going to do to Excite Truck and Endless Ocean?
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Stogi on November 13, 2007, 03:43:42 AM
Is AAC what itunes encodes into?
If so, that's f*ckin BULLSH!T.
Then again, this helps the claim of some sort of itunes like utility for the Wii.
Oh, and I agree about the mov, avi, divx, xvid thing. I wish there was an easier way for me to view my download video files on the big screen.
Title: RE:Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: IceCold on November 13, 2007, 03:57:40 AM
Quote Why not throw in MOV, AVI, DIVX, XVID and whatever else standard definition audio and video format out there?
Because they'd have to pay licensing fees to do so.
But you're right, this is a bad move, and I'm not going to be downloading it.
EDIT:
Quote I wish there was an easier way for me to view my download video files on the big screen.
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on November 13, 2007, 04:03:37 AM
Quote from somewhere else that just expresses it very clearly
Quote Wow. Nintendo's too f#(king cheap to license mp3 playback? Is this were the updates start hurting the console? God damn it, Nintendo. You're making a huge chunk of profit on the sale of each Wii. You can't spare 75 cents for a license?
Look at the page. A decoder is 75 CENTS for a hardware device.
LOL seriously. The iTunes channel better be coming otherwise this update makes no sense.
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: UltimatePartyBear on November 13, 2007, 04:06:55 AM
It was unlikely I'd use it to play MP3 files in the first place, but there's no way in world 8-4 I'm going to reencode my music to AAC.
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: IceCold on November 13, 2007, 04:18:52 AM
Quote LOL seriously. The iTunes channel better be coming otherwise this update makes no sense.
I meant for DivX/XVid playback. But still, with all the millions of consoles Nintendo is selling, 75 cents turns out to be quite a bit.
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Stogi on November 13, 2007, 04:29:36 AM
IceCube, I think he was talking to me or doing his own speculation.
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on November 13, 2007, 04:30:22 AM
But they profit on each console, so we are already paying for it. Nintendo should now lower the price of each Wii to $249.24 to make things right.
edit: Actually I was commenting on the quote I posted, but Nintendo should sell these licenses through the WiiShop channel. I would buy MP3, DVD and probably DivX/Xvid even though I probably wouldn't use them.
for the record, I have never even used the Photo Channel before, and have had no plans or interest in doing so.
Title: RE:Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: IceCold on November 13, 2007, 04:32:29 AM
Quote Nintendo should sell these licenses through the WiiShop channel. I would buy MP3, DVD and probably DivX/Xvid even though I probably wouldn't use them.
Yeah, that's definitely a good idea.
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Strell on November 13, 2007, 04:55:17 AM
From myself over at CAG:
Quote There's a lot of commentary on this over at GoNintendo. The main points I took are:
1) "This is retarded Nintendo, and it's totally a plot to issue in DRM, wtf." 2) "Fine, I won't update my Photo channel." 3) "Does anyone actually use the mp3 feature, or are you just bitching for bitching's sake?" 4) "I expect there to be more to this than meets the eye."
I imagine all the posts in this thread will fall into those categories.
Additional content worthwhile:
5) "I'll just not upgrade then. .... But then Nintendo will just force it on us...."
Information on DRM capabilities of AAC and licensing (posted by kiril):
Quote "Primarily because AAC has DRM capabilities built in. "
Wait, that's not quite right. Some AAC files can have DRM -- most notably, most songs from the iTunes Store. But you can have AAC files with no DRM as well. In iTunes there's two ways to get them. First, you can buy an "iTunes Plus" song in the iTunes Store -- you'll get an AAC file that has no DRM that can be played anywhere that supports that format. You can also put a CD into your computer and use iTunes to rip it into AAC format and again, no DRM.
So in one sense you're right; AAC does allow for DRM, but it's not mandated by any means. I'm not sure if Strell meant to imply all AAC files have DRM, but I wanted to make clear what the deal was.
That all said, I'm not sure why Nintendo wouldn't simply add the ability to play AAC as an addition to the current MP3 capability, rather than replacing it. I can't think of any media player than can play AAC that can't play MP3.
--------
Licensing sounds like a good bet. Also another thing about DRM-- there's no "standard" DRM that comes with AAC. Apple has their own DRM system with AAC, but only Apple gets to decide what devices can be used to work with that DRM. Other companies may have their own DRM schemes attached to AAC -- I don't know anyone else that's selling AAC with DRM restrictions off the top of my head though.
AAC itself is not owned by Apple, in case that's not clear. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Audio_Coding for more info.
So unless Nintendo has made a specific deal with Apple to use their DRM (unlikely), what will happen is that Nintendo's AAC playback will be limited to non-DRM AAC songs like I described in my previous post. Even if they did make that deal, non-DRM tracks would have to work, because as I said, Apple is selling without DRM via "iTunes Plus". So DRM haters shouldn't have anything to worry about.
Title: RE:Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Kairon on November 13, 2007, 05:31:07 AM
Do most media players support converting from MP3 to AAC?
Title: RE:Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: ThePerm on November 13, 2007, 06:25:24 AM
iv never used an aac file, but i have 3000 mp3 files. Why? Why? WTF?? Nintendo?
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Ceric on November 13, 2007, 06:33:03 AM
You know I've seen manafactures do crazier things to shave off just 2 cents per item.
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: BranDonk Kong on November 13, 2007, 06:54:31 AM
I bet iPod support will be coming soon. Hopefully if it happened, it would actually be *iPod* support and not *iTunes* support. This update better also let you view images in their actual resolution, and not all in 640x480 or whatever crap resolution the Photo Channel scales them down to.
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Smash_Brother on November 13, 2007, 07:11:17 AM
This puts it closer to an iTunes channel, but at the same time, it could also just be a cost-saving maneuver...
Title: RE:Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Flames_of_chaos on November 13, 2007, 07:16:36 AM
Quote Originally posted by: Ceric You know I've seen manafactures do crazier things to shave off just 2 cents per item.
Well not as much as 2 cents but as crazy as Sony axing PS2 support 2 USB ports on the 40GB ps3?
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: stevey on November 13, 2007, 07:46:03 AM
Forget an itunes channel, dumbest channel idea ever, and screw any apple format. The only plus is nintendo might be getting ready for usb hard drives and doesn't want people complaining about this when they try hooking up their ipoids...
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Ghisy on November 13, 2007, 08:12:04 AM
Meh, AAC sucks. I won't be updating that channel for sure! It's not like I even use it anyway...
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Stogi on November 13, 2007, 08:20:23 AM
It would be cool if there was some sort of screensaver sort of deal. One that in conjunction with the Internet channel, allow you to download images from anywhere and have them loop after 5 mins or so of none us. It would also be badass if you could have playlists of images, so you can switch between rotating coral fishys to rotating gorgeous models at a whim. Maybe even add the ability to add a music playlist to those image playlist.
I would use that all the time.
Hell, I almost always pop on this Virtual Aquarium DVD when I have femaliens over, then bump music in the background. It just sets the mood without being disruptive like TV usually is.
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: NWR_insanolord on November 13, 2007, 11:26:33 AM
AAC is a better codec than MP3, it gives better sound quality at lower file sizes than MP3. That said, despite its advantages, AAC is nowhere near as popular as MP3 and it seems insane to replace MP3 when they could just support both.
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Maverick on November 13, 2007, 04:15:13 PM
Actually, I'm pretty happy about this, since all of my digital music is in iTunes. Works out well for me.
Title: RE:Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Nemo on November 13, 2007, 04:18:22 PM
If they're going to use something less popular and inexpensive, they might as well just use ogg vorbis format. :B
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: DAaaMan64 on November 13, 2007, 04:25:53 PM
I think this may have just ruined my life, my style, my store
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Kairon on November 13, 2007, 04:32:59 PM
It's ruined my Tuesday, I'll tell you that.
Title: RE:Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: UltimatePartyBear on November 14, 2007, 04:48:19 AM
Quote Originally posted by: Nemo If they're going to use something less popular and inexpensive, they might as well just use ogg vorbis format. :B
I'd support that. I've got a lot of legacy mp3 files, plus what I download from OC Remix and the like, but I've been using ogg vorbis for all my new acquisitions for a long time now. I don't have a single AAC file.
Title: RE:Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: NeoThunder on November 14, 2007, 10:06:25 AM
Quote Originally posted by: ShyGuy What is this going to do to Excite Truck and Endless Ocean?
This will not affect Excite Truck since it uses it's own in game MP3 player software
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Mashiro on November 14, 2007, 10:46:52 AM
I'm amazed so many people even use this channel to cry about such a change.
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: NeoThunder on November 14, 2007, 12:06:07 PM
that is true, i never use it for music since it's so picky with what mp3's it will play
i do look at pics on it from time to time
Title: RE:Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Maverick on November 14, 2007, 12:20:18 PM
Guess I'm the only one then?...
Nintendo panders exclusively to me CONFIRMED.
Title: RE:Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Kairon on November 14, 2007, 01:19:16 PM
Quote Originally posted by: Maverick Guess I'm the only one then?...
Nintendo panders exclusively to me CONFIRMED.
Why Maverick? Why are you ruining gaming? T_T
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Maverick on November 14, 2007, 02:05:04 PM
Because I love seeing you cry. :-P
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: NeoThunder on November 20, 2007, 12:01:59 PM
So if i go and update...... how do i convert my mp3's to .aac files?
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Shecky on November 20, 2007, 01:27:21 PM
Ok, this doesn't negate the overal problem. The Wii needs a music channel, specifically tailored to play music files.
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: jakeOSX on November 20, 2007, 11:43:56 PM
hm. this is interesting. i can't see this being a predecessor to an iTunes channel, as iTunes does not require AAC. wonder if this stuff has anything to do with it?
i do agree, having the ability to purchase desired codecs would be great. show support with our money.
is there an address we can (calmly and politely) voice our opinion of this change?
Title: RE:Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: jakeOSX on November 20, 2007, 11:51:00 PM
Quote Originally posted by: NeoThunder So if i go and update...... how do i convert my mp3's to .aac files?
iTunes does have this ability.
i rip into MP3 personally. until my car plays AAC...
Title: RE:Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Donutt007 on November 21, 2007, 02:19:52 AM
Quote Originally posted by: NeoThunder So if i go and update...... how do i convert my mp3's to .aac files?
Yeah just do it in iTunes, if you need a walk through MP3 to AAC
If this only affects music on the photo channel, then I don't really care. I listen to the cheesy ass music they already have on there and laugh. But still, I might want to use it, so if the only thing the update does besides change that is add a stupid picture icon, I'm passing.
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Shecky on November 21, 2007, 02:21:38 AM
The only thing the photo channel uses for music is background for slide shows right? That's great and all, but if I really wanted a particular song to back up my slide show then I could convert it to a format that worked.
Now, who in there right mind is using that to actually play their entire music collection??
Nintendo knows this feature is seldom used. That's why they're dropping it. It is probably due to licensing issues or money. However, if we want to complain about music support on the Wii, we should first be complaining about the lack of a channel whose goal is to play music, not some dinky side feature of the photo channel.
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Ian Sane on November 21, 2007, 05:36:07 AM
I don't think I've ever used the photo channel. In fact I had no idea it even supported MP3s. Still doesn't make sense to change it. I figure it's just Nintendo being the typical restrictive cockheads they always are. "And" company? They've never been an "and" company and never will be. It's an abundance of little annoying things like this that I think prevented the Gamecube from ever overcoming the N64's stigma. By itself this one issue is really nothing but when everything has some dumb issue like this the whole console starts to look unappealing. Nintendo really needs to learn this. The Wii's Virtual Console also has a dumb method of storing games. Another minor but irritating limitation that by itself doesn't sound like a big deal. But combines with this MP3 thing now it all sounds worse. I think the Wii is safe but it's something to learn for future consoles.
Nintendo is the master of the completely avoidable f*ck up and that needs to stop. Save the f*ck ups for the stuff beyond your control because stuff like that will always happen and you don't need the little stuff that you absolutely should have gotten right on top of that.
Title: RE:Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Flames_of_chaos on December 10, 2007, 01:54:37 PM
I downloaded 1.1 to see if anything is different, the only thing amusing I found is to use one of your pictures as a icon of the photo channel. And if your Wii had Version 1.0 you can downgrade it by deleting the photo channel V1.1 and once its deleted you will have version 1.0 again. If anyone is interested the download to 1.1 is 4 blocks.
Edit: And for some reason you can also send this as a gift which is amusing.
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: stevey on December 10, 2007, 02:10:47 PM
Does anyone know if it can view .gif images now?
Title: RE:Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: UncleBob on December 10, 2007, 02:16:17 PM
Quote Originally posted by: Lord_die_seisEdit: And for some reason you can also send this as a gift which is amusing.
I noticed that too. I sent it to Pale, for no other reason than to check out the gift giving feature.
Title: RE:Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: NeoThunder on December 10, 2007, 07:20:19 PM
I don't know if this has been realized yet, but you can downgrade back to the ver. 1.0 by deleting the photo shop channel from your memory in the "channels" section of the Wii memory.
Title: RE:Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Flames_of_chaos on December 11, 2007, 02:03:42 AM
Quote Originally posted by: NeoThunder I don't know if this has been realized yet, but you can downgrade back to the ver. 1.0 by deleting the photo shop channel from your memory in the "channels" section of the Wii memory.
You do realize I said that in my post. "And if your Wii had Version 1.0 you can downgrade it by deleting the photo channel V1.1 and once its deleted you will have version 1.0 again. If anyone is interested the download to 1.1 is 4 blocks."
Title: RE:Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: NeoThunder on December 11, 2007, 05:48:47 PM
i didn't see your post, so I appologize. I thought it was assumed from the beggining that if you upgrade, you couldn't turn it back
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Tanookisuit on December 12, 2007, 02:36:29 AM
It's a pretty weak upgrade. I like seeing a photo of me and my girlfriend when I turn on my Wii, but beyond that, it feels pretty worthless.
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: NeoThunder on December 13, 2007, 04:34:25 AM
does anyone know what video types the photo channel supports
on their website it says .mov and .avi but then it says something about being in jpeg motion
does this simply mean flash?
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: IceCold on December 13, 2007, 09:19:06 AM
It's the motion JPEG format that most digital cameras have. The channel doesn't support DivX .avi files.
Title: RE:Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: Sabe002 on December 15, 2007, 06:29:38 AM
I didn't know iTunes converted them..maybe i did and forgot.... Does either version of the photo channel allow you to play back multiple songs during a slide show? I had one up last year Christmas Day and all my sisters cried(it was their kids and our family and stuff). I would like to do it again, but play a few songs during it without having to manually change it. Thanks!
Title: RE:Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: LuigiHann on December 15, 2007, 10:10:59 AM
Quote Originally posted by: Sabe002 I didn't know iTunes converted them..maybe i did and forgot.... Does either version of the photo channel allow you to play back multiple songs during a slide show? I had one up last year Christmas Day and all my sisters cried(it was their kids and our family and stuff). I would like to do it again, but play a few songs during it without having to manually change it. Thanks!
At least in the original version, it'll play all the songs on your memory card. I'm not sure how it determines order.
Title: RE: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December
Post by: NeoThunder on December 15, 2007, 02:00:06 PM
version 1.0 only played one song you selected...
new version 1.1 will play all songs in a random order or you can choose the same song over and over
