Author Topic: Wii U Does Not Have DVD or Blu-ray Playback (Read 8756 times)

NWR_Karlie · « **on:** June 15, 2011, 04:03:37 PM »

The Wii U is a dedicated gaming system.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/26838

The Wii U will not have the ability to play DVD or Blu-ray discs.

Iwata explained in an Investor's Q&A that since many people already have devices for watching movies, it was not worth the added cost of licensing the technologies for inclusion in the Wii U.

So you'll have to keep your DVD player in your living room just a while longer.

Ailingforale · « **Reply #1 on:** June 15, 2011, 04:35:06 PM »

I kind of expected this and I'm not disappointed since I already have a BD player. No complaints from me.

UltimatePartyBear · « **Reply #2 on:** June 15, 2011, 04:38:53 PM »

I said this before, but Nintendo is missing a golden opportunity here because their new controller would mean every Wii U owner would get not just a Blu-ray player, but a portable (within the home) Blu-ray player. If it were just another console, I wouldn't care, but they actually have something new to offer for traditional media, too, this time around.

Enner · « **Reply #3 on:** June 15, 2011, 04:45:32 PM »

For the applicable regions, Netfilx and other streaming options will have to suffice. A bit of a shame since I would like an extra Blu-Ray player. However, I never expected Nintendo to put themselves in a situation to be paying Sony for something.

TJ Spyke · « **Reply #4 on:** June 15, 2011, 04:54:12 PM »

I think only a fool would think a Nintendo or Microsoft device would support Blu-ray Discs because they would have to pay royalties to Sony (among other companies). It would have been nice to at least have DVD support (but Nintendo would have to pay royalties to the DVD Forum), but I bet most people have tons of devices already for that. I know I have my laptop, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and a dedicated DVD player.

broodwars · « **Reply #5 on:** June 15, 2011, 04:58:24 PM »

It's unfortunate that Nintendo's not putting these features in the Wii U, but my Blu-Ray/DVD needs are already more than met with my PS3.

MegaByte · « **Reply #6 on:** June 15, 2011, 05:01:17 PM »

Predictable, but why don't they go with the Xbox solution? Then the consumer essentially pays for the movie playback license only if they want it, and it doesn't cost Nintendo anything extra. Then everyone's happy.

BlackNMild2k1 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 15, 2011, 05:04:19 PM »

Nintendo doesn't have to include DVD/Bluray playback, but they should atleast allow users to pay for the license through the eShop and have the ability unlocked if we choose to use it.

edit: damn got distracted and didn't hit post right away. Now I've been beat.

KITT 10K · « **Reply #8 on:** June 15, 2011, 05:05:40 PM »

I'm not surprised either. Yes I'd love if they did put that in, but I already have a DVD player and don’t need another.

nhaines · « **Reply #9 on:** June 15, 2011, 05:32:06 PM »

It's more than just a license. CD, DVD, and Blu-Ray optical discs all use different types of laser technology and are encoded completely different. They'd have to include hardware that could read all of those formats in order to offer it even if it were a separate option.

In addition, as we've seen with Wii modders, the Wii drive uses a fixed-speed motor that simplifies the hardware and prolongs drive life, but when homebrewers started running DVD playback software, the constant speed changes applied to the drive caused the motor to quickly burn out.

MegaByte · « **Reply #10 on:** June 15, 2011, 05:36:04 PM »

Quote from: nhaines on June 15, 2011, 05:32:06 PM

It's more than just a license. CD, DVD, and Blu-Ray optical discs all use different types of laser technology and are encoded completely different. They'd have to include hardware that could read all of those formats in order to offer it even if it were a separate option.

In addition, as we've seen with Wii modders, the Wii drive uses a fixed-speed motor that simplifies the hardware and prolongs drive life, but when homebrewers started running DVD playback software, the constant speed changes applied to the drive caused the motor to quickly burn out.

Dumb myth. The Wii drive was designed to play movies -- remember at one time they were going to enable that feature.

BlackNMild2k1 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 15, 2011, 06:22:27 PM »

Quote from: nhaines on June 15, 2011, 05:32:06 PM

It's more than just a license. CD, DVD, and Blu-Ray optical discs all use different types of laser technology and are encoded completely different. They'd have to include hardware that could read all of those formats in order to offer it even if it were a separate option.

The hardware is already there if it is reading ~~Bluray~~ Blue laser disc and ~~DVD~~ Wii disc.
Buying the license gets you the codecs to read the file formats that make Bluray "bluray".

RABicle · « **Reply #12 on:** June 15, 2011, 11:10:34 PM »

Are people honestly still using optical media for movies?

Why?

broodwars · « **Reply #13 on:** June 15, 2011, 11:22:56 PM »

Quote from: RABicle on June 15, 2011, 11:10:34 PM

Are people honestly still using optical media for movies?

Why?

I actually like physically holding and owning my movies, thanks. They're on my shelves when I need them, they're not reliant on internet connectivity to work or be considered "legal copies", and if I grow tired of them I can re-sell them.

BlackNMild2k1 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 15, 2011, 11:23:23 PM »

Quote from: RABicle on June 15, 2011, 11:10:34 PM

Are people honestly still using optical media for movies?

Why?

Netflix also sends me disc in the mail...
none of them are streaming on their service.

Mop it up · « **Reply #15 on:** June 16, 2011, 12:36:06 AM »

I wonder if a part of this has to do with piracy, since apparently removing DVD playback form Wii hardware also prevents the playing of Wii games burned onto DVDs.

GK · « **Reply #16 on:** June 16, 2011, 12:41:03 AM »

Okay fine but can we have MP3 support from our SD cards back?

Enner · « **Reply #17 on:** June 16, 2011, 12:57:00 AM »

Quote from: GK on June 16, 2011, 12:41:03 AM

Okay fine but can we have MP3 support from our SD cards back?

I doubt that since it would involve paying a license. Fraunhofer IIS, I think? Probably along with a bunch of other companies.

Mop it up · « **Reply #18 on:** June 16, 2011, 12:57:55 AM »

Doesn't the 3DS have MP3 playback?

TheYoungerPlumber · « **Reply #19 on:** June 16, 2011, 01:15:45 AM »

Given how big a deal having Netflix is on Wii for the average consumer, this kind of surprises me. I agree, Nintendo (or a third party) should release a DVD/Bluray player as an application on the eShop. I don't understand why Nintendo would be against that and yet supportive of Netflix, but perhaps I don't understand the politics.

RABicle · « **Reply #20 on:** June 16, 2011, 02:08:38 AM »

Pietriots has more on this story.

ShyGuy · « **Reply #21 on:** June 16, 2011, 02:12:14 AM »

Quote from: RABicle on June 16, 2011, 02:08:38 AM

Pietriots has more on this story.

That made me laugh more than it should.

RABicle · « **Reply #22 on:** June 16, 2011, 02:15:45 AM »

I should point out, despite my earlier comments I can understand that not everyone is ready to embrace the future and buy digital like me and buying BLu Rays is a perfectly acceptable alternative.

But if you're still buying DVDs, sort out your life. And if you're worried that you don't have enough machines in your house that can already play DVDs...

NWR_insanolord · « **Reply #23 on:** June 16, 2011, 02:28:07 AM »

I still buy DVDs, because most things I watch aren't improved enough by HD that it outweighs the fact that I own at least half a dozen devices that play DVDs but only have one Bluray player. I buy a lot fewer DVDs than I did before Netflix, though, and I don't personally care one bit that the Wii U won't play either of them.

Chozo Ghost · « **Reply #24 on:** June 16, 2011, 02:32:17 AM »

I predict Nintendo will add DVD playback to whatever console they release after 2016 because that is the year when the DVD patents expire (I think). That would put it on track not to be added in the Wii U, but in whatever console Nintendo releases AFTER Wii U.

Blu-ray came out in 2005, right? So, with the length of patents being 20 years, we would have to wait until 2025 before Nintendo could add that into a console.

Then again, the patents on Audio CDs expired almost 10 years ago and Nintendo shows no signs of adding that in either. Does anyone care about audio cd support?

News:

Author Topic: Wii U Does Not Have DVD or Blu-ray Playback (Read 8756 times)