Wii Transfer for Mac OS turns your Wii into a media center, but not really
by Christopher Grant 
{ Jan 25th 2007 at 10:32AM }
Though the Wii doesn't pack the same multimedia functions as the Xbox 360 or the (soon to be enhanced) PlayStation 3, it does support video playback. It's not high-def and it doesn't stream it off your network -- this functionality is more for watching those low-res digital camera movies you've got lying around. That's not to say you can't use the newly upgraded Wii Transfer for Mac OS X to turn those downloaded videos (just podcasts, right?) into Wii-friendly formats. The creator reports successfully watching a 30-minute video despite reports of a 15 minute limitation.Not just that! The $9 app has added the ability to stream MP3s and photos to the Wii using the (still in beta) Internet Channel, even displaying iTunes' cover art. Now all the Wii fans can claim they've got a multimedia console too ... we'll just forget about the whole DVD thing for now.
[Via TUAW]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jojonyc @ Jan 25th 2007 10:43AM
i still think it's funny that anyone cares about the lack of dvd playback. is there anyone out there that has a wii but doesn't already have the equivalent of 4 dvd players attached to their tv?
the wii-mote doesn't open your garage door either.
RODNEY @ Jan 25th 2007 10:46AM
if you don't already have a dvd player
then you should kill yourself
simple as that
Fred T @ Jan 25th 2007 10:48AM
This is NintenLame
Their hardware partner (Panasonic) just wants to sell more SD cards... so, no USB thumbsticks, no USB HDD, no streaming, etc. Just buy more SD cards.
Darkness @ Jan 25th 2007 10:52AM
I'm pretty positive there will be HDD support for the Wii at some point. With Nintendo wanting to get MMOs on their system, there's only one way to do it and that's to have a HDD. The only thing I see them concerned with is keeping data secure. Hard to do when you can move SD cards to the PC, or hook up a HDD to a PC. Add keyboard and mouse support and you've got some serious issues to contend with.
RODNEY @ Jan 25th 2007 10:54AM
Man Fred, really living up to what "
Farseer @ Jan 25th 2007 11:22AM
@ Fred T,
You have got to be the most negative person on Joystiq. I don't think I've seen a positive comment from you yet. Normally I would not recommend drug use, but dude - you seriously need to drink a beer or something. It may help your disposition.
jaysins @ Jan 25th 2007 12:30PM
@ Fred T
Posting negative comments like this you come off as more threatened by the wii than anything. If your a xbox 360 owner you should definitely not be worried about the wii's multimedia experience being comparable to the 360's or even PS3's for that matter. It was never designed to compete and never will. Nintendo went with the gaming only console but this is good news for wii owners and may even entice some to look into HTPC's or a 360.
Crono @ Jan 25th 2007 11:41AM
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070125/ap_on_hi_te/wii_news_channel
AP News on Wii this saturday.
Tips site is gone?
Crono @ Jan 25th 2007 11:41AM
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070125/ap_on_hi_te/wii_news_channel
AP News on Wii this saturday.
Tips site is gone?
Crono @ Jan 25th 2007 11:41AM
And don't press the "Add your comments" button twice by accident. You'll double post.
The Intangible Fact @ Jan 25th 2007 11:43AM
Calling the Wii a "multimedia console" is a joke. It can't even play DVD's. The Wii will never be good enough to be called a multimedia console, or good enough to even be mentioned in the the same sentence as the 360 and PS3.
Sorry guys but Fred is 80% of the time right. The Wii was designed for the general public and the 360/PS3 was for the hardcore. You can't argue that.
C. Grant @ Jan 25th 2007 11:47AM
It's still there! We've moved the location of the link to the top of the page where more people can see it, but it still points to http://www.joystiq.com/tips/
Farseer @ Jan 25th 2007 11:56AM
@ TRUTH
"The Wii will never be good enough to be called a multimedia console, or good enough to even be mentioned in the the same sentence as the 360 and PS3."
Not even the same sentence? Oh Snap!
TRUTH = 1
Nintendo = 0
(Note that your sentence contains the words Wii, 360, and PS3 - just food for thought)
Virtua Fanboy @ Jan 25th 2007 11:58AM
Believe it or not one of my friends that has a Wii was kind of regretful of his purchase when he saw all the multimedia functions of my 360. Streaming music, video, pictures from my pc, slide shows, video chat, ect. His exact words were, "Man, mine won't even play a freakin DVD".
Not that he doesn't have a dvd player, he doesn't have a dvd player that let's you voice chat, download files, and send text messages all while watching a movie.
The Wii could've had a DVD player and still cost $249. They just got a little greedy, END OF STORY.
But who cares, it's all spilled milk now. LOL
Antwan @ Jan 25th 2007 12:50PM
Some of you are really freakin stupid. Of course everyone has a DVD player... that is not the issue. The issue is that what should be common functionality is lacking. Everyone "expects" the Wii to play DVDs. You can buy your kid a Wii, they can plug it into their teeve and BAM they also have a DVD player(with remotes(wiimote). Shit, I have plenty of DVD players, but i watch DVDs on my xbox 360. The lack of dvd player is really stupid.
Farseer @ Jan 25th 2007 12:11PM
@Virtua Fanboy & TRUTH
You guys are spot on. The 360 is a fantastic multimedia device (if you use a Microsoft PC), and completely replaced the Home Theater PC I built. The main issue is that the 360 claims to be a multimedia device, while the Wii does not. The hack/homebrew/fanboy community may try to make it so, but it was not built by Nintendo for that purpose.
The Wii does have some nice features, though - if only I could use the Wii Remote on the 360 to surf the web, navigate the dashboard, or send messages... The combination of Wii remote and QWERTY onscreen keyboard is a nice touch that I hope Microsoft takes note of.
/deposits 2 cents
Grog @ Jan 25th 2007 12:23PM
"Believe it or not one of my friends that has a Wii was kind of regretful of his purchase when he saw all the multimedia functions of my 360. Streaming music, video, pictures from my pc, slide shows, video chat, ect. His exact words were, "Man, mine won't even play a freakin DVD".
Not that he doesn't have a dvd player, he doesn't have a dvd player that let's you voice chat, download files, and send text messages all while watching a movie."
This little work-around to make it easier to play videos, stream music, etc. does not change anything - the Wii isn't supposed to be a multimedia center, this is just an added bonus from the hard-working independent coders of the world.
Why isn't it supposed to be a multimedia center? Well, your post just about explains it. Why would I want my game system to play DVDs when I have a high quality DVD player that will do a better job? Why would I want to voice chat on a game system when I have a cell phone? Why would I want to send text messages on a game system when I have a laptop that's never more than 5 feet away from me? Why would I want to replace my computers, my DVD equipment, and various other electronics with a machine that doesn't do as good of a job as any of them? There is one thing that my Wii (and all consoles) does well: play games. If I want to do something else, I'll use the equipment I already have.
I guess if you don't have a computer or phone or DVD player it's a good idea to get a game system that does that too, but it still won't do as good of a job... and really, how many people with a 360 or PS3 don't have those things?
Besides, my Wii is fun. ;)
01 @ Jan 25th 2007 12:35PM
you're right, you're right...I can't stream HD content over my Mac Book Pro to my wii to my TV, nor can I play DVDs out of it. But wait....I can conect my computer to my TV and watch anything off of it. Even DVDs if I didn't want to use my (gasp) DVD player!! People who are going for Wiis, in my opinion, aren't as concerned about the multi-media aspect, why would I drop $250 for a console and not bu a $25 DVD player? I know there's the convience factor, but seriously people, how far away is your console from anything else hooked up to your TV?
Virtua Fanboy @ Jan 25th 2007 1:27PM
@ grog
High Quality DVD $100+
Cell phone + 1 or 2 yr contract $???
Laptop $400+
Wii $250
Total= Alot (I'm not gonna pretend I know what you paid for all that. lol)
Not that the 360 experience is cheap, but different strokes for different folks my friend. Just because you like seperate devices doesn't mean other people don't like the all in one package like me.
Your Wii's an ok game system. I'm not tryin to knock it to hard but the other systems just seem a little more grown up I guess. If the Wii had the specs of 360 I'd probably jump ship in a second. LOL
And BTW my post say's exactly what I mean. Nobody needs you twistin words around buddy. LOL/sarcasm.
required @ Jan 25th 2007 1:32PM
To those that think the lack of DVD support is greatest thing since toilet paper, I must ask, wouldn't it be nice to remove some of the clutter that is your DVD player? Seriously, if the Wii could play a DVD (as it should) you could save power by having less electronic junk plugged into your wall and into your TV, plus you'd have one less remote.
Earl @ Jan 25th 2007 1:35PM
DVD player? Who cares? What's really annoying is MS raping people for $100 wireless adapter, when wireless SHOULD be standard!
I imagine people have more DVD players laying around than wireless adapters.
Honestly, right now the 360 media functionality sucks. Only WMV is supported and I don't know anyone that uses WMV. Online movies are practically garbage, only one I would consider renting is Superman.
XBMC ftw!!
syco @ Jan 25th 2007 1:58PM
I kinda wish the Wii played DVD's because the DVD player my Wii is sitting on top of isn't slot loading. Oh well...
However, streaming music onto the Wii is a great idea! Too bad I don't have a mac yet. :(
evilplushie @ Jan 25th 2007 2:43PM
I never really understood why people thought that 'multimedia functions' = for the hardcore. Hardcore what? multimedia fans? I mean, as a gamer, wouldnt all you'd be concerned about be the games that are on the system? not whether the system can hook up to your computer, whether it can play blu-ray, Hd-dvd, total-HD, yada yada, or whatever.
Richard @ Jan 25th 2007 2:58PM
There's another media streaming service, Orb, that provides Wii functionality.Although I could never get the thing to ever actually play a video or even an mp3 on my Wii (it did manage to show the album artwork though). But then again, I didn't really try for too long since I have a 360.
And there's a whole lotta stupid coming from both sides in these comments that don't really even need to be addressed. Except for Farseer pointing out Truth's lapse of thought, that was great :).
oblivonbp @ Jan 25th 2007 7:08PM
I used Orb w/o any trouble to play any of my avi, wmv files. I didnt test my mp3 or pictures. It wasnt the best quality but it was watchable.
Shmil @ Jan 25th 2007 5:09PM
Fred T, you must wake up in the morning and think, what can i complain about today
Pince @ Jan 25th 2007 5:40PM
"Now all the Wii fans can claim they've got a multimedia console too"
I don't want a multimedia console. I want a game console. Unless you are currently reading this page on the browser on your Wii and don't have a computer you already have a sufficient multimedia device.
Grog @ Jan 25th 2007 5:55PM
"High Quality DVD $100+
Cell phone + 1 or 2 yr contract $???
Laptop $400+
Wii $250
Total= Alot (I'm not gonna pretend I know what you paid for all that. lol)"
The thing is, I already have all of that (as does most anyone who has enough money to be arguing over this). Buying a Wii doesn't require buying another cell phone if you have one!
Raikage @ Jan 25th 2007 6:30PM
@ 17 hey I just got a mac book pro! OSX FTW!!!
Oh yeah... I would love to have a 360 and all it's fancy features, and it even has some great games and XBL is really cool and innovative (for a console).
The thing is I really just want to try something new (even though games for 360/PS3 can be innovative), something I have never played before or even something I have played before just in a different way. It's kinda like switching from a controller to a keyboard and mouse for the first time. At first you might hate it or you might love it... but in the end most end up liking it because it's different and can add alot to a game just because of the different way you control it. So I say that if people want to create multimedia capabilities for the Wii, go for it. I mean why not? It's not like people are buying 360/PS3's just for the multimedia (well maybe not regarding the PS3 as a cheap Blu-ray player lol). Like others have said "It's all about the games people!" but having extra features is always a plus, but the focus should be on the games and making them fun and easy to use.
So lets all agree that this program is good for (at least) every one who reads this site (and has a mac, I think the count is a 2 lol) and stop arguing. Ok now say your sorry, no! Say it like you mean it! Good...
P.S. Now I need to get a Wii... A friend who lives in Alaska says they have a pretty steady supply, so I need to have him send me one... Probably $50-$70 to ship it lol.
h0mi @ Jan 25th 2007 6:44PM
Earl-
The audio streaming on the 360 is great (though a FF/Rewind function would be appreciated, instead of next track/rewind to the beginning/last track), but my experience so far with WMV (and quicktime) has been dismal. The quality is awful but I've also got to admit that I have horribly encoded WMVs. That doesn't explain the couple of quicktime videos that I'm able to sream that are better quality but still look like ass on the 360. AVI was MS's original video format and they should support it. At least support everything that the Zune marketplace does.
I disagree that wifi should be standard, but that adapter should be $20-$30, not $100.
Richard @ Jan 27th 2007 2:37PM
@ oblivonbp
My problems with Orb were likely due to my router, but like I said I already use my 360 for streaming media so I didn't really bother to see if I could get it working. I just wanted to check out how the software worked, but since it didn't work right away I was over it. But then again, the nice about Orb versus streaming through the 360 is that it actually retains the organizations of your files, rather than just having every single one of your video files in one long list. Although I think I'd rather stick with the better quality on the 360.
@ Earl and h0mi
Do a search here on Joystiq for TVersity. It's a media streaming service for the 360 that will allow you to play any type of video file. And in terms of quality it comes down to the quality of the video file. If it was encoded by someone who knew what they were doing than it should look just fine playing through your 360. Although one thing about the TVersity software is that it's very processor intensive, so you'll need a reasonably good computer to stream videos without any hitches.