Hack Allows for DVD Playback on the Wii
It appears one resourceful Wii user has created a way to enjoy DVD playback on your Wii, with a relatively uncomplicated method, and no hardware modifications.
From HackMii.com:
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As you all know, I’ve been working on libdi (or the DVD Access library) for a while now. We had some problems getting it out to release because of the difficulties we encountered while writing the second part of this topic. The DVDX installer instead will install a small, hidden, channel on your Wii that allows you to read DVDs on an unmodified system. It is not an installer for a patched IOS. You may however need one, depending on your system.
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You can find a link to the full rundown and files needed at the bottom of our post.
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[insert opinion here]
Seriously, if this guy was able to make this work, why hasn’t Nintendo added this functionality? Or better yet, why wasn’t DVD playback included in the Wii to begin with? Honestly, I think we’re past the point of believing it would raise production costs too much. Nintendo manufactures the Wii for cheap, adding in DVD compatibility wouldn’t have made costs exorbitant.
For some time now Nintendo has been promising a Wii with DVD playback functionality, but the most recent word on the matter from Nintendo (almost a year ago, but still most recent) suggests it isn’t a top priority for them, even though it is one of the most sought after features by gamers.
Nintendo has made it clear from the start they want to attract non-traditional gamers to the Wii, as well as continue to please their loyal long time fans. And while playing a DVD isn’t really equivalent to hardcore games, or new innovative designs, watching a movie with family and friends is one of the most common and enjoyable entertainment gatherings; we can’t see why Nintendo isn’t placing a higher priority on capitalizing on this.
At this point we just hope Nintendo is paying attention to how badly people want this functionality, and how little it would take to give it to the gamers.
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libdi and the DVDX installer. [HackMii]
[...] Continued At Source… [...]
Screw Nintendo. The WII Homebrew community has evolved to the point
that no one needs to rely on Nintendo anymore for things like DVD
players, old console emulators (Why pay for Virtual Console games
when you can run an entire NES or SNES emulator and throw the whole
library on yourself if you wish?), or anything else for that matter.
The Homebrew community is providing superior software for absolutely
free, you’d have to be an idiot not to hop on this bandwagon!
- Another satisfied Homebrew user speaks! 8)
P.S. - Homebrew is not piracy. Please do not confuse the two!
Homebrew rules -
I think the homebrew community has definitely taken well to the Wii, and developments like this certainly prove that.
I also can’t agree with you more about the distinction between piracy and homebrew; I’ve long been a advocate for homebrew development in gaming, not just on the Wii, but on the PSP and DS as well.