Japan getting Wii video service May 1st, complete with DSi connectivity
By Donald Melanson 
posted Apr 23rd 2009 3:02PM
posted Apr 23rd 2009 3:02PM
We haven't been hearing a whole lot about the planned video distribution service for the Wii as of late, but looks like folks in Japan will soon be able to try it out first hand, as the service is set to launch in the country on May 1st. Dubbed the "Wii no Ma Channel," the service is rolling out with a little help from advertising firm Denstu, and includes both free and paid content, as well as some other various services and special offers from sponsors. Even more interesting, however, is word that a free DSi app will launch alongside the service, which will let you download video from the Wii to the DS, and even download coupons from advertisers, which can then be scanned directly from the screen. Head on past the break for a quick video overview -- which, of course, doesn't include any word of a launch 'round here.
Wii no Ma Channel? How bout wii on my mii with yo pii.
youtube video doesn't work due to copyright claim...
and how the hell does gametrailers.com own the rights to a nintendo commercial?
They don't. But being the biggest game trailer site on the webz, big vidgame companies use it to promote their new stuff.
But if they don't own the copyright, and they're interested in distributing coverage to the world, .... then why limit it? This is exactly the backward thinking which rules the media world with an iron fist :P
Sweet cant wait for some 480P downloads !
(that would be my thoughts ..... 5 years ago)
Considering a lot of tv programming is not hd either as of right now this shouldnt really be a problem.
@majortom1981
(I hope that's your thoughts from 5 years ago too)
Majortom .. I cant even watch non HD anymore .. I cant imagine paying for a SD download movie .. with HD EVERYWHERE else ...
so they think japanese people dont mind no-HD content on wii?
plus DS/DSi resolution 256 x 192 is even worse...
Most americans don't mind, why would the japanese? Also, for the DSi, the pixel density will probably be better on the tv since it has a much smaller screen
@ Mark
What are you talking about? When Sony did this with the PSP streamed from the PS3 or Location Free, all Sony haters can say is how crappy the resolution is on the PSP b/c of the compression and what is the point of watching it on a small screen. So when Nintendo does it with an even crappier resolution and even a smaller screen it's okay. Haha, single branded fanboys are hilarious. Sorry, but this idea is stupid and the DSi is still pointless unless you do not already own DSLite. DSLite FTW!!!
@jamesology: I wasn't one of those "Sony haters" and would say it's probably good on the psp also. Nice job lumping everyone into one category though.
How about yall add a Wii DVD channel, to use that DVD player that only homebrew can play on the Wii
That beautiful blue glow would've matched a Blu-ray drive very nicely..
DSi plays HD content!!? gonna get one now!
WOW! Where's the love GameTrailers.com?
Video service? Since the Wii can now support 32GB SDcards, does this mean we could get TV shows/Film downloads?
(if it ever makes it outside Japan)
Oh wow...a wii graphic to display on your bigscreen TV in the living room. And here I thought Japan was all hightech. bluray has spoiled me...can't even stand dvd.
Me either, i don't watch much TV, but when I do it's blu-ray movie. Watching Sky movies at my friends house made me bleargh...
This just screams useless gimmick to me. Do we really need another console based video service?
You don't because you have an xbox 360 (I suppose) and whatever else with US centric programming and delivery rights. If you were in Japan where the service is being launched, with regionally appropriate content on the biggest selling console you might find it more interesting.
I don't know but I suspect the 500,000 or less xbox owners in japan probably don't get netflix and other regionally negotiated content.
In Japan the DSi the main ownership is the 5-15 year olds, seriously, 90% of kids have at least some kind of DS, and most seem to have the DSi. There is a 1seg tuner accessory you can be to watch TV on the DSi, it's fine for what it does. If Nintendo can pipe anime-on-demand like the latest episode of naruto or "fresh precure" (don't ask...) to the Wii or DSi it'll be a hit. Doesn't have to be 1080x1920...
Nintendo has emphasized over and over again that the Wii is, first and foremost, a VIDEOGAME CONSOLE. So Nintendo, in the name of all things sacred, forget about the stupid video channel that will go absolutely nowhere and instead try and focus on taking your god awful Nintendo WFC and making it into a system that doesn't lag like its 1998 and actually makes PLAYING VIDEOGAMES with people a reasonably simple task to undertake. Then, after you have accomplished this, make it so that DEVELOPERS CAN ACTUALLY USE IT IN THE GAMES THEY MAKE. Perhaps having a viable online system would maybe add a hint of fun to the steady stream of crapware that developers are pouring out for the Wii and add some replay value to the few quality games being released.