Click here for more information about this Website and a full disclosure statement.
Investors: Please do not use the information on this site to buy or sell stocks. I don't want to have to explain to your spouse how you lost a huge amount of money based on advice from a site called "Hacking Netflix."
The contents of this Web site are (c) 2003 - 2007 Briki Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
« Top DVD Rental from Netflix & Blockbuster: 'Crash' | Main | Netflix Looking for Senior Software Engineer, Personalization Research »
Nintendo quietly launched the Nintendo Channel for the Wii, described as a way to "Watch trailers, mini-documentaries, product demonstrations, and gameplay videos."
I tested the Nintendo Channel, and was surprised by the speed and quality of the video. However, the Wii is probably not going to support Netflix's Watch Instantly because the Wii lacks a hard drive, and the display is limited to 480p.
via Engadget.
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/2006/28880578
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Nintendo Launches Video Channel:
Blockbuster
One Month Free Trial
How is 480p a limitation for Watch Instantly? It's not like they have any HD stuff anyway. And why does streamed media need a hard drive?
Posted by: Psygnosis | May 08, 2008 at 12:25 PM
I don't know Psygnosis. Unless the streaming video on Netflix cache's to your hard-drive maybe, and you don't know it? I don't know the technical details.
I tried the Wii Nintendo Channel yesterday. I was really surprised at how fast the videos loaded, and it was pretty intuitive (Though the 480p looks considerably worse than Watch Instantly's video quality, so it would take a hit if you tried to watch a movie on it). By far the best feature of it though is the "Download DS Demos" mode. They beam straight to your Nintendo DS, no wires... it's a lot of fun to try out year-old games ;)
It's the first time I've felt the need to turn on my Wii since Smash Brothers, and I'm even ready to trade that terrible game in now. Wii needs a ton more channels like this, because I'd prefer it to be an entertainment hub like the PS3 is quickly becoming. Even if the picture quality isn't tremendous on Wii, the more innovative channels, the better. That's the 1up it has on the other systems.
It definitely NEEDS a hard drive though. Everyone is scared to download more stuff on it because it is so darn limited. I really hope they unveil one, because until then, I'm not buying any of the old ports on there.
Posted by: MCWHAMMER | May 08, 2008 at 03:50 PM
This 480p issue is irrelevant. Watch Now is below DVD quality, and DVD is 480i. We are 5+ years from having 720p or 1080i or 1080p streaming. The Wii would be a great way to watch movies, and Nintendo is more likely to be cooperative with a 3rd party than MS or Sony.
Posted by: Donuts | May 08, 2008 at 04:58 PM
@Donuts,
Well then the vidoes posted on Nintendo Channel so far are pixelated, and stretched for full screen mode. Still don't look at good at Watch Instantly connected to the same TV.
Posted by: MCWHAMMER | May 08, 2008 at 07:40 PM
The video quality of the Nintendo channel reflects the amount of bandwidth that Nintendo is willing to pay in order to show free previews of video games. The video quality of a Watch Now movie depends on the bandwidth that Netflix can afford.
Posted by: Donuts | May 09, 2008 at 02:12 PM