100°

Wii to Replace MP3 with AAC

In a move that some may deem a little foolish, Nintendo have announced an upcoming upgrade for the Wii's photo channel service, replacing support for the world's most popular format, MP3, with AAC. Nintendo's official website states:

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.

Read Full Story >>
wii.nintendo.com
ItsDubC6013d ago (Edited 6013d ago )

I've actually never used the Photo Channel but switching to AAC from the most common music format just seems suspicious to me for some reason. Possible ulterior motives? iTunes integration?

Kholinar6013d ago (Edited 6013d ago )

Could be itunes integration, but itunes and all apple products are fully compatible with mp3... It might have to do with licensing issues. Mp3 is much less friendly, more expensive (like $.75 vs. $.12) and a lot of companies are currently getting sued because of mp3 patent disputes.... http://www.crunchgear.com/2...

They are right about one thing, though... AAC is much better quality.

Oops... we're front page now... So before we get any sillyness, AAC is not Apple's format. It's an open (but not completely free) format that Apple chose.

Phew...

Darkiewonder6013d ago

Will stop working for Excite Truck or they'll patch that game up? ;o

Kholinar6013d ago

good question... seems like it's saying the entire console will be updated, not just the photo channel.

Darkiewonder6013d ago

Hopefully I won't be FORCED. If it's just the Photo Channel, I won't update. If they try to stick it in a FW Update, I'll just have to find a way not to run it ;O

I really want to know the reason Nintendo is doing this.

Kholinar6013d ago

looks like it's not a forced upgrade.

Could be bad if they update the photo section with things you like.

There could be a lot of reasons, as I stated in my earlier post. Eventually one would think that mp3 would die... it's really, really old and really not very good at compression.

Darkiewonder6013d ago

But like many others, I still use it lol.

ChickeyCantor6013d ago

the MP3 program should be compiled with the game.... i mean i wouldnt be suprised if the ingame soundtracks were mp3.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 6013d ago
DJ6013d ago

people who update and assume that they're simply adding a new feature, not deleting a prior one. MP3s are standard though. Shouldn't Nintendo simply support both?

damnwrx6013d ago (Edited 6013d ago )

Similar to BD and HD-DVD..........Fok that iish.

Show all comments (15)
80°

Zelda Replay: Majora's Mask

VGChartz's Evan Norris: "Is Ocarina of Time as legendary as I remembered it? For the most part, yes. In spite of a handful of missteps — a few obtuse puzzles, some tedious backtracking, and a clunky stealth sequence — I don't believe the last 23 years have been unkind to it. Ocarina remains a brilliant example of the medium, a landmark game that shaped the future of its own franchise and 3D gaming in general. After more than two decades it retains its inventive dungeon design, challenging puzzles, dynamic combat, wistful storyline, unforgettable music, and empowering open-air freedom. I feel confident calling it one of the greatest games of the fifth generation, even if I'm no longer prepared to list it among the five best games ever made."

Read Full Story >>
vgchartz.com
Crows902d ago

Pure unadulterated fun. They don't make them like this anymore...especially not the triple A industry.

FinalFantasyFanatic2d ago

Back when video rental was a thing, I rented out Majoria's Mask, I never finished it though. I did buy the 3DS version before the eshop shutdown, so maybe one day I'll finally play through the whole thing, it's amazing how well these games hold up though. I briefly played Ocarina of Time for a while and it was really fun.

120°

6 Fun Games Where You Actually Play As The Bad Guy

While the mainstream media always sees things turning in favor of the hero, here are 6 games that own being a bad guy.

Profchaos6d ago

Pretty much all of these games listed are based around a morality system you don't have to be bad and you don't have to be good.

It seems to have left out some real amazing games like red dead redemption 1/2,ass effect and true crime la/ny

Tacoboto6d ago

Armored Core VI?

Ok, I'm really missing something here. Just beat chapter 3 earlier this evening, unlocked A-rank Arena fights. I'm not seeing or sensing any branching paths or morality system and I've done every side mission and arena fight available to me up to that fight.

Is something big coming soon to branch the story?

banger886d ago

No mention of Grand Theft Auto? Saints Row (original trilogy), Manhunt? Also The Suffering (depending on the ending you get).

ChasterMies5d ago

Trevor in GTA 6 is a sadist and psychopath who dabbles in cannibalism. Should be top of the list. These game “news” sites should hire people that know games.

80°

Nintendo Switch Online April 2024 SNES Lineup Offers Cutesy Chaos

Nintendo has announced the SNES and Super Famicom games gracing the Nintendo Switch Online library this month, and there are some gems to enjoy.

Read Full Story >>
techraptor.net
OtterX18d ago

Strange headline, as I thought the star of the show was Super RType. I almost bought RType Dimensions EX this last month and was just thinking, man I wish we had the SNES one somewhere on Switch. That's where I got my start w the series and I was beyond excited to see it drop this week!