With the TV Guide Channel releasing in Japan today, many wondered exactly how the Wiimote would be used as a remote for the television, as well. Thanks to the video above, this important new features needs not reside only in the darkest corners of your imagination. And ... uh, it works just like you would expect. It changes channels and works the volume. It even looks really fun.
With the TV Guide Channel releasing in Japan today, many wondered exactly how the Wiimote would be used as a remote for the television, as well. Thanks to the video above, this important new features needs not reside only in the darkest corners of your imagination. And ... uh, it works just like you would expect. It changes channels and works the volume. It even looks really fun.
Reader Comments (19)
Posted: Mar 4th 2008 4:07PM (Unverified) said
how exactly does the wiimote communicate with the tv? is it like a software thing on the remote that makes it work with the tv's remote sensor? and does this work with satellite?
Posted: Mar 4th 2008 4:12PM WiNGSPANTT from TopTierTacticsco said
It makes the sensor bar shoot the commands, which bounce off your head/shirt/wall into the TV.
Neat, huh?
Reply
Neat, huh?
Posted: Mar 4th 2008 4:09PM Unab8d Ly4m said
I want!!!
Posted: Mar 4th 2008 4:16PM (Unverified) said
Okay, great, except that I already do this with my cable box (which also functions as a DVR). So what's the big deal?
It's not a DVR, it's not a media center, it's not IPTV, it's literally just a TV Guide. Big whoop.
It's not a DVR, it's not a media center, it's not IPTV, it's literally just a TV Guide. Big whoop.
Posted: Mar 4th 2008 4:23PM (Unverified) said
I for one do not have a cable box with a built-in TV guide. If I used my Wii more already (sadly, it's relegated to GC-emulation duty until next week...), or especially if I didn't already have a PC in the room, it might be worth my while to use the Wii to see what's coming on. My big thing is: will the remote emitter "learn" (e.g. using the Wiimote CCD to capture signals) or are we limited to a preset database of manufacturer codes? I would love to be able to use a TV guide like this, but I'd have to be able to switch pretty efficiently between my cable input and my Wii input, which requires a special button on my TV remote. If the Wii can't emulate that button-press, I'll have to have my TV remote at my side anyway, which sort of defeats the purpose.
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Posted: Mar 4th 2008 4:26PM motang said
That actually looks better than I thought.
Posted: Mar 4th 2008 4:39PM (Unverified) said
I think part of the reason is that companies like comcast, directv, dish network and other cables companies, wouldn't be that happy that there's another company trying to out service their services or some other complication.
Although I wonder how tv service works in Japan, since it seems this doesn't require you paying a fee for using your wii as another tv service. Because with tivo you have to pay a monthly fee in America.
Lastly i think this channelis cool. But my question how would it interact with my directv box, I mean think about it, would directv let the wii share it's information for the tv guide channel? I bet that's one of the motives as to why the Big N also hasn't put it out here yet.
Although I wonder how tv service works in Japan, since it seems this doesn't require you paying a fee for using your wii as another tv service. Because with tivo you have to pay a monthly fee in America.
Lastly i think this channelis cool. But my question how would it interact with my directv box, I mean think about it, would directv let the wii share it's information for the tv guide channel? I bet that's one of the motives as to why the Big N also hasn't put it out here yet.
Posted: Mar 4th 2008 5:17PM (Unverified) said
zap2it.com, for starters, is free for people to use to check your TV listings. Put in your postal code, select your provider, and it provides you with a list of shows currently on. I use it right now, as a matter of fact, with the Opera browser on the Wii. It's ad supported, which is how the service remains free (even though it's dog-slow).
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Posted: Mar 4th 2008 4:44PM DiddlyKong said
As someone who used the internet channel more than 3 times. I am interested. And you can't beat free.
Posted: Mar 4th 2008 5:40PM (Unverified) said
Do you need to have a TV service to watch the channels?
Posted: Mar 4th 2008 6:02PM (Unverified) said
This looks really sweet! When is the USA getting it? Also, like others have said, do you need to have cable or satellite, etc. to use it?
Posted: Mar 4th 2008 7:29PM Drago Dracini said
OMG! WANT! WANT MUCH! @.@
Posted: Mar 4th 2008 11:33PM IcerC said
It's just a fancy way of browsing?
Meh. What definition video can it work with? 720 max?
Add an external hard drive and I'll start listening.
Till then it's divx movies streamed to ps3.
Meh. What definition video can it work with? 720 max?
Add an external hard drive and I'll start listening.
Till then it's divx movies streamed to ps3.
Posted: Mar 5th 2008 12:42AM (Unverified) said
looks decent, however its never coming to USA. We have variety and choice in TV. Japan is very different beast.
Posted: Mar 5th 2008 10:18AM (Unverified) said
Pretty much everyone in the UK has a TV guide built into their set-top-box or TV. is there really a need for this?
Posted: Mar 5th 2008 9:09AM (Unverified) said
Having a DVR and satelite this really isn't anything special to me.
But I do love the menu background music as always. Nintendo always does a great job with their menu music...
But I do love the menu background music as always. Nintendo always does a great job with their menu music...
Posted: Mar 5th 2008 11:13AM (Unverified) said
WTF is with the Photoshop Channel on Japanese TV??? Talk about niche programming; no wonder you need a TV guide on every device you own!
Posted: Mar 5th 2008 10:56AM Scaught said
Unfortunately because of the Wii's limitations, it will only show channels that are broadcast in 480i. Sorry you ESPN HD junkies.
Posted: Mar 5th 2008 10:56AM Scaught said
Snicker.
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