Author Topic: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December (Read 13652 times)

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.

Plugabugz · « **Reply #1 on:** November 13, 2007, 02:22:38 AM »

That stinks. Drop MP3 for AAC?

Flames_of_chaos · « **Reply #2 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.

BlackNMild2k1 · « **Reply #3 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?

ShyGuy · « **Reply #4 on:** November 13, 2007, 03:42:38 AM »

What is this going to do to Excite Truck and Endless Ocean?

Stogi · « **Reply #5 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.

IceCold · « **Reply #6 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.

Have you looked into getting an Archos?

BlackNMild2k1 · « **Reply #7 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?

75 GOD DAMN CENTS.

http://mp3licensing.com/royalty/hardware.html

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.

UltimatePartyBear · « **Reply #8 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.

IceCold · « **Reply #9 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.

Stogi · « **Reply #10 on:** November 13, 2007, 04:29:36 AM »

IceCube, I think he was talking to me or doing his own speculation.

BlackNMild2k1 · « **Reply #11 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.

IceCold · « **Reply #12 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.

Strell · « **Reply #13 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.

Kairon · « **Reply #14 on:** November 13, 2007, 05:31:07 AM »

Do most media players support converting from MP3 to AAC?

ThePerm · « **Reply #15 on:** November 13, 2007, 06:25:24 AM »

iv never used an aac file, but i have 3000 mp3 files. Why? Why? WTF?? Nintendo?

Ceric · « **Reply #16 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.

BranDonk Kong · « **Reply #17 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.

Smash_Brother · « **Reply #18 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...

Flames_of_chaos · « **Reply #19 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?

stevey · « **Reply #20 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...

Ghisy · « **Reply #21 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...

Stogi · « **Reply #22 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.

NWR_insanolord · « **Reply #23 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.

Maverick · « **Reply #24 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.

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Author Topic: Wii Photo Channel to be modified in December (Read 13652 times)