Wii to drop MP3 support, add AAC in Photo Channel update

While we're sure that some Wii updates have been more highly regarded than others, it seems that MP3 diehards will want to pass on a forthcoming Photo Channel update if you just can't bear to lose support for your favorite music format. Apparently, the aforementioned channel will be revamped early next month, and while users will then be able to personalize their menu by implanting an SD-based digital image into the Photo Channel icon, gamers who previously used their Wii to play back MP3s will no longer be able to do so. For whatever reason, the Big N will be axing MP3 support and adding in AAC compatibility, and the company even goes out of its way to make sure that you realize downgrading will not possible once you install v1.1. Mark it down folks -- don't be left full of regret (if you're partial to MP3, that is) after carelessly downloading an update without reading the changelog first.

[Via GameBrink, thanks J]

[samnesral Posted Nov 13th 2007 8:17PM]

it shouldnt be an either or thing though

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 13th 2007 7:39PM]

Wii

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 13th 2007 7:48PM]

Good thing 90% of my music is non-DRM AAC. That being said I would NEVER use my Wii to play back music so its a nonissue for me either way.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 13th 2007 7:50PM]

Good and bad tech news always balanes itself out.

PS3 gets Divx, Wii loses MP3

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 13th 2007 7:59PM]

DivX comes to the PS3
DivX coming to the 360
MP3 snatched from the Wii
Huh?
http://dailyrational.com/2007/11/13/ps3-meet-divx/

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 13th 2007 8:55PM]

Guess I'm sticking with 1.0 FW.

[pohatu771 Posted Nov 13th 2007 8:56PM]

I can understand adding AAC, but dropping MP3?

I don't use it anyway, and most of my music is already AAC, but it's still odd...

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 13th 2007 9:02PM]

Who the hell cares? When was the last time any of you used your Wii as an mp3 player?

(This is the part where all the overly defensive liars come out of the swam for replies)

[roach Posted Nov 13th 2007 9:16PM]

Note to self: skip this update. I hope this doesn't prevent me from getting future updates...or I will be major pissed.

[Bourne Perfection Posted Nov 13th 2007 9:27PM]

I'm with the two other people who have mentioned this briefly so far. AAC support means probable apple support/ iTunes support/ or iPod support. I'd love to be the one to start this rumor going around, but there is a nice pair of USB ports on the back of my wii i wouldnt mind finding a use for. It's not like i dont already have wireless internet built in (and there's still another port if you are hardwired for some reason). I hope nintendo goes all out for the holiday season. Little known updates to come anyone? Maybe I can add some sort of toaster-add-on to one of my systems? (Note, I DO need a toaster, and would LOVE to buy a USB supported toaster at a reasonable price. Srsly. Hit me up if you see one.)

[sr1329 Posted Nov 13th 2007 11:21PM]

Why don't you stupid fucks learn that AAC was around for years before the iPod and iTunes. Apple simply licensed a codec that at the time was better than MP3. Many of us had been using it for years. Apple had nothing to do with the creation of AAC and another company adopting AAC doesn't imply that they want to do business with Apple.

[dbossnirvana Posted Nov 13th 2007 10:19PM]

How can you take away one of the most basic music formats in the market: MP3. Doesn't make sense, This has "Jobs" written all over it.

[Didou Posted Nov 14th 2007 2:49AM]

Hmm what does this have to do with Steve Jobs ? AAC wasn't invented by Apple the last time I checked.

[dbossnirvana Posted Nov 14th 2007 7:05PM]

But isn't it a coincidence that AAC's importance is mainly based 'cause of Apple? Think about it.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 13th 2007 11:32PM]

All your codec are belong to us!

[Novataglio Posted Nov 14th 2007 12:05AM]

I have a Photo Channel?

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 14th 2007 12:40AM]

I've never used the photo channel, other than taking a look at it the first day I got my Wii. All of my music is in AAC anyway, for my iPhone & iPod.

[Didou Posted Nov 14th 2007 2:48AM]

Nintendo drops support for Metroid Prime 3 ?!?! Nooooooooooooooo

:-P

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 14th 2007 3:43AM]

I loved the Wii at launch, but where the PS3 continues to improve, Nintendo seem to have done nothing new to make people happy.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 14th 2007 6:58AM]

Riiiiight. THAT'S why they sold over 13 million units and we still can't find them in stores. And when did Nintendo every advertise the Wii as a media hub?

Back to your bridge.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 14th 2007 7:57AM]

Nintendo may have never promoted the Wii as a media hub or anything like that, but they did say there would be some custom soundtrack support. At least one first party game even supports it, Excite Truck, and believe me when I say custom soundtracks helped.

That is where removing MP3 support will hurt most people. This isn't about just listening to MP3s on your Wii, it's about losing the ability to easily use custom soundtracks. Face it more people have MP3 tracks than AAC.

Even taking away the reasoning of custom soundtrack support, the fact is removing features is generally a bad thing. Also of note, the people saying your Wii supports it already, just don't update. You also make the point Nintendo already paid the licensing fee for these consoles, so why take away something that has already been paid for? Why not just remove it from future consoles?

[Black Dog Posted Nov 14th 2007 11:23AM]

MP3 playback is a feature that I want from my Wii. I did not know the PhotoChannel could play MP3s until this post. What would make me a happy customer is MP3 support from data and audio CDs.

(That is; thanks for the SD support, can I have CD support too?)

Ever since my roommate moved and took his 360 I have had to hook my laptop to the receiver to listen to CD music through the surround sound. Wii could have filled this gap.

[rahlquist Posted Nov 14th 2007 1:07PM]

Ok all yall cry babies, lets force nintendo to add the support back in, along with OGG and every other audio format and when we run out of codespace why we will just have nobody to blame but ourselves...

[aarond12 Posted Nov 14th 2007 1:57PM]

Vote me down if you must, but why do people have such a difficult time with lose/loose?

Lose = opposite of win, opposite of found
Loose = opposite of tight

The Photo Channel is LOSING (not LOOSING, which isn't even a word) MP3 support.

[Garst Posted Nov 14th 2007 2:56PM]

Are we sure that is a real website they are linking to? I can't seem to get to it from the Nintendo website even though the link makes it look like you can?

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 15th 2007 2:30PM]

Are you not going to have to download an update eventually. I downloaded an update and it took away the browser and now i have to pay 500 points to get it back. Nintendo = Joke

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 5th 2008 6:02PM]

Download mp3 music unlimited from mp3temp.org

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 5th 2008 6:29PM]

Download mp3 music unlimited from mp3temp.org