Wii video service launches in Japan May 1, features DSi connectivity
by JC Fletcher 
{ Apr 23rd 2009 at 10:45AM } 
The channel takes the form of a family room, around which up to eight Miis from one system can gather. Clicking on the room's TV accesses the video download service, which will include both free and paid content. No programming has been announced yet, though one of the videos after the break uses nature show footage as an example. Clicking on a houseplant will take users to the sponsor area, where they can find free trials of services and special offers from advertisers.
The Wii no Ma Channel is also usable on the DSi, via a free app called Dokodemo Wii no Ma (Anywhere Wii no Ma). This app allows users to download video from the Wii to the DS, as well as sponsor coupons. In the video, a coupon for a fast-food restaurant is downloaded to the DSi, to be scanned from the screen!
[Via Andriasang]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Terry @ Apr 23rd 2009 11:00AM
Can't wait to see if any of this makes it to the states....
samfish @ Apr 23rd 2009 11:01AM
That second paragraph makes this thing seem kind of bizarre, to put it kindly.
Pimliconite @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:22PM
And the first video makes it look completely insane.
SUPER FAMILY ORDERING NATURE WEDDING FRIENDLY SHARING DINNER DELUXE VIDEO CHANNEL! ADVERTISEMENT SUPER!
This will require... tweaking if it is to be brought westward.
Fernando Rocker @ Apr 23rd 2009 11:08AM
It should be noted that this service is not intended to compete againts services like Netflix.
Nintendio stated a few months ago that they want to offer original shows, movies and animes, and other content not available over Netflix... so, both offer a differen service.
I think that is a good idea, specially if we can see something like Metroid anime, Zelda cartoons, etc.
Zerokku @ Apr 23rd 2009 11:35AM
Zelda Cartoon? o_O
"WELL EXCUUUUUUSE ME PRINCESS!"
Gavin @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:18PM
Oh, I get it...to sum it up it fucking sucks shit and you're okay with that.
samfish @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:32PM
I like the idea of Nintendo creating TV and movie content. There's a TON of potential there.
...I'm not too keen on them getting into the whole media center/lifestyle device thing, though. I didn't like Sony and MS doing it, and I don't like it when Nintendo starts doing it (not that I blame them, since all-in-ones are where everything is headed)
If they must do it, though, I hope they'll eventually offer an alternate interface. I really don't want to click around with my Mii.
el serpiente @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:41PM
TELL YOSHI BEDTIME STOWEE!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k3pErwQePc
001BIANRY100 @ Jul 10th 2009 3:12PM
=D
well i've seen super mario bros and kirby on tv, apparently theres Donkey Kong, and i've seen zelda on youtube, then there's pokémon obviously... So it could work well if they did it =D and this is without even making new programmes but just showing old ones
ArchGamer @ Apr 23rd 2009 11:09AM
"In the video, a coupon for a fast-food restaurant is downloaded to the DSi, to be scanned from the screen!"
This both cool and another sign that Nintendo wants to rule the world.
Fernando Rocker @ Apr 23rd 2009 11:12AM
Here are some details:
- comes out May 1st in Japan
- Channel will be free
- provides a virtual living room experience for the user
- register up to 8 Miis
- time in the virtual living room passes in real-time
- click on the TV to enter the video download service
- view content by recommended, recent arrivals, or key words
- no details on video content at this time
- clicking the plastic plan takes you to a page for partner companies, which shows commercials and promo videos for products. This also allows product samples to be delivered to your home, if you wish.
- calendar available for a new image every day, as well as text content
- Nintendo will be working with celebrities to bring their personalities into your living room. These celebrities will be presenting special programs. Past visits can be re-accessed by selecting the message board option
- this channel links up with the DSi in order to download and watch content on your DSi while on the go. The DSi can also store virtual coupons from companies
- in order to connect your DSi you will need the “Dokodemo Wii no Ma” app from the DSiShop. This app will be available May 1st
- limited video content at first, but plans to bring in more content in the future
- no mention of free/pay content details
ArchGamer @ Apr 23rd 2009 11:15AM
That all sounds cool, but will we here in the states get such a unique program?
Fernando Rocker @ Apr 23rd 2009 11:18AM
The service will be available in US too... with different content than in Japan, I guess. Nintendo just partnered with a video company here in the states, but I can't remember which one.
ArchGamer @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:04PM
Well that's good to now. And if Netflix is able to bring their services to the Wii, then I will be happy and quite pleased.
Mr Khan @ Apr 23rd 2009 11:33AM
Seems very unique, though much of it is rather superfluous (why do we need multiple Miis, exactly?)
The features all seem very good, especially by Nintendo standards, the question, of course, is content, which will make-or-break it, and even then, content will probably be very different region-to-region, so we won't be able to really look at its viability for here (or Europe) until we see what they come up with for each region.
Very interested to see some of it in action, though.
Vidikron @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:13PM
It actually sounds a bit like Home. The theater for example is just a 3D model of a theater where you can go watch content. Of course, Sony isn't currently offering any actual programming, just ads for games and movies... but the concept here is similar.
As for the extra Miis, it's probably just to provide a "family" feel rather than just having one Mii alone in a room.
ScottG13 @ Apr 23rd 2009 11:37AM
I recognize that I'm not the market demo for this, but frankly, its retarded.
The best streaming video I've ever experience from any console is Netflix on 360. Its amazing. Huge library, almost instant, generally correct aspect ratio and comes free with my account. That's awesome and was awesome from the day they announced it.
I don' t know what this is. Seems like a bizzaro Japanese clusterfuck of uselessness. Like a Final Fantasy Tech/Job system.
samfish @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:10PM
I fail to understand how this could possibly be any worse than Netflix on the 360. Most over rated piece of crap feature ever, unless you love watching documentaries.
Vidikron @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:14PM
@samfish
Or you want to watch past seasons of shows like The Office or Heroes. Most of the stuff is pretty old, but there's still good stuff out there.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:36PM
Netflix streaming is not a huge library.
guttertalk @ Apr 23rd 2009 11:38AM
At 0:21, the top video shows that the channel asks for your blood type: A, B, AB, or negative.
:)
Spike @ Apr 23rd 2009 11:48AM
but what if i have blood type O, will i not be able to use it?
Fernando Rocker @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:05PM
That's actually pretty common in Japan... kinda like the astrological signs:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_blood_type_theory_of_personality
McWeen @ Apr 23rd 2009 11:40AM
My Mom and Grandma might like this.
(not a jab at the Wii, they both actually own one)
ScottG13 @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:14PM
I love watching documentaries, TV shows on demand, awesome 80's movies, and other randomness that I don't want a DVD sent of.
I fail to understand how getting 1000's of streaming content pieces for "free" is a problem for anyone.
samfish @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:22PM
It's not free, unless they changed the policy recently.
In my experience, there's not a single thing worth watching on the service.
el serpiente @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:38PM
Yeah, you're paying for Live Gold and a Netflix subscription. Very, very far from free.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:38PM
In my experience, most of the movies on the Netflix service are so old that if you set it in your PVR, it'll air on some channel within the next month or two.
They basically get the movies the same as HBO. They get them when they are really old and many of them they only get for a month and then it goes away a while. This is because Hollywood doesn't want you to have 100% full time access to it, because then you won't buy it if you really like it, because you know you could just stream it anytime.
Pimliconite @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:39PM
No Country for Old Men, Superbad, Point Break, Red Dwarf, Doctor Who, The Office, 30 Rock, nearly all of South Park, the Mad Max movies, Ratatouille, the Alien movies...
Different tastes and all, but I think you are being obtuse.
Then again I love documentaries and foreign movies, too.
Mr Khan @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:44PM
I do agree that calling it free is a bit of a stretch, but i'm liking that content selection.
Vidikron @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:57PM
Notice he has "free" in quotes. He, like me, likely already had Netflix and Gold so the streaming service is, in effect, free.
guttertalk @ Apr 23rd 2009 1:08PM
You're comparing Wii no Ma with the Netflix service on the 360, something that Iwata has said Wii no Ma is *not* competing against and something that is possibly coming to the Wii, based on questionnaires and job descriptions from Netflix?
Just because the media is the same doesn't mean the service itself is similar.
Not only that, but you're calling it "retarded" without seeing exactly what the video content is?
And saying the 360's Netflix is the best streaming service on the consoles isn't exactly saying much. While it's performance is better than I expected, the library selection itself is a bone and leaves a great deal to the imagination. Oh, and you can't even add new videos to your queue from the 360. No, you have to go to your computer and do that.
The 360 Netflix service has a lot that can be improved upon.
Moptimus Slime (Play me out, Keyboard Cat) @ Apr 23rd 2009 4:49PM
or you could get a Cable service that comes with DVR and OnDemand. Its only convenient to you because you ALREADY HAD the requirements:
*Gold XBOX Live membership
*Netflix subscription
I'm sure a lot of people who own 360s dont have a Netflix subscription, and vice versa. And if they had both, how many of them do you think are aware this service exists?
ScottG13 @ Apr 23rd 2009 1:32PM
Its retarded for my needs. Retarded as in backwards and regressing. I simply want quick access to lots of content and the ability to search and add via PC.
Throwing Miis and DS connectivity in there is a waste of resources for my needs.
Of course, that's being selfish and I'm sure there are some out there that will be interested, but for me, MSFT beat everyone to the best service. I don't want to rent movies for $6.99 Mr. PS3. I just want stuff. I pay enough bills as it is. Gimme something for it.
guttertalk @ Apr 23rd 2009 3:11PM
You can only add movies to your queue from the PC: it's not a defect . . . it's a feature!
From what I'm seeing, there's a bit of content on Wii no Ma and mostly for free.
I'm no polly anna about Wii no Ma, but I don't see much other than fanboyism in these criticisms: it's not meant to compete with streaming movies but offers something free to Wii users and gives an option to those with a DS. Wow, That's a real waste of "resources," whatever those are.
This idea that Netflix is the end-all and be-all of streaming video escapes me. (Hey to Hulu and others.)
bulletsmakepeace @ Apr 23rd 2009 2:29PM
Attention hackers, this would be a funny time to link a porn stream to a channel on the wii. Wrong but funny.
But really think about it what has not been hacked or modified on this console, why not.
ScottG13 @ Apr 23rd 2009 3:24PM
Why would I want to use a controller to search through movies? I hate typing on the 360 enough as it is.
I guess if most of the content is free and not just commercials, its nice.
Netflix is the end all be all on consoles, so far. I'm waiting for someone to trump it. If PS3 comes hard with an awesome Hulu/Netflix/Youtube streamer, that'd be even better.
ScottG13 @ Apr 23rd 2009 4:53PM
How much does Cable/DVR & OnDemand cost per month? Probably a bit more than the $20 or so I pay for Live+Netflix.
Anyone on live sees Netflix everytime they scroll through the "blades" on their desktop. Its pretty darn prominent.
So. I'm still right. Its awesome. For some reason, Joystiqers hate it. haha
tkAshur @ Apr 23rd 2009 8:58PM
Man, I just want more channels in general! I remember seeing the news channel and weather and getting a little excited, and then seeing everybody votes and check mii out, and as cheesy as all these channels are, They're just fun and different to have. There was a long drought till the nintendo channel, and now unless you buy a game (i think the only ones now are wii fit and ssbb) there are no other channels(scratch that, wii speak channel)....okay...well what I'm trying to say is that the wii's "channels feature", is going at a disturbingly slooooooow pace. This video thing is a little exciting(though I'm not holding much hope for a US release), I would like ANYTHING to take up space on my wii dashboard(seeing as how now all games are on the SD ^_^). Heck, stock channel, cooking channel, maybe even something as stupid as color of the day channel...I just want more...