Wii Fanboy poll: Watch any DVDs on your Wii?

by David Hinkle { Aug 14th 2008 at 2:45PM }

When the news broke yesterday about the Mplayer homebrew application, we were quick to try it out for ourselves. Surprisingly, it wasn't that hard and before you knew it, we were enjoying the Battlestar Galactica DVD you see above. But what about you all? Did you check it out for yourself? Let your voice be heard in our poll past the break.

The homebrew community is doing amazing things with the Wii. Have you read about the app that lets you play games from other regions? What about getting Goldeneye to run on Wii? Or you could just use homebrew to get your cheat on.

Tags: battlestar-galactica, dvd, dvd-playback, how-to, mplayer, tutorial, walkthrough

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

seetrapp @ Aug 14th 2008 2:53PM

My vote goes for, No, homebrew doesn't scare me, but the possibility of damaging lazerz does and has postpownt my pursuit of WiiDVD for the time being.

omghaha @ Aug 15th 2008 4:04PM

dont be scared...

I miss
[x] No, I have a DVD Player.

-___-'

kevin @ Aug 14th 2008 2:54PM

I wasn't very impressed. I tried it with a few titles and it dropped so many frames it was unwatchable. Frankly I'd rather use a standalone player or my PC/laptop.

meist3r @ Aug 14th 2008 2:54PM

Where's the "Would love to but I don't want to ruin my warranty" option in the poll? I love homebrew software but since there is absolutely no consistency with Wii homebrew thus far I'd rather use my old modded Xbox to play DVDs which I've been doing for years.

sxp151 @ Aug 14th 2008 3:26PM

That's called "Homebrew scares me." Voiding warranties and damaging lasers is precisely what scares people about it.

meist3r @ Aug 14th 2008 3:32PM

But it's not the same thing. Being scared of something is something completely different than liking it and not doing it for practical reasons. I understand they had to limit the number of options but I will try that the day my hardware warranty runs out. If I hadn't spend some money on VC games I would probably take the dive anyhow.

Go1denchi1d @ Aug 14th 2008 2:59PM

I already have a dvd player and im also scared to ruin my wii. I wouldnt want to buy another one just yet.

vidGuy @ Aug 14th 2008 3:02PM

God no. I didn't spend $150 on a upconvert DVD player to watch DVDs in the Wii, and I didn't spend $250 on a video game console to watch movies. In contrast, my brother spent $500 on a video game console to watch BluRays. Hmm...

Waffala @ Aug 14th 2008 4:55PM

It's worth it for some movies, but most don't really benefit from it, and some seem kind of worse, but that might be because my TV is only 720p and 32in instead of 1080 and 52+in. The last movie I watched was House of Flying Daggers, and some parts of it are incredibly grainy. The Fifth Element is great on Blu-Ray though.

NutMac @ Aug 14th 2008 3:07PM

I voted "No, because it's not an important feature" but more accurate reasons would be "No, because it's haphazardly implemented with many missing features".

Mr Khan @ Aug 14th 2008 3:11PM

I picked the last option for lulz, but my true response would be "I will at some point soon, but free time is at such a premium for a guy working two jobs who plays lots of games and is about to go to college and wants to keep up with some form of exercise in the meantime that i don't have time to take out to download this and dig Twilight Princess out"

The idea is appealing to me, since we only have 1 DVD player in our house (my parents treat it like furniture, not like technology, so our old VHS players still dominate mostly), not counting my DVD-playing laptop which i don't like to use, since i like to watch them full-screen, and it doesn't do so well at that

Wii would play DVD's at their optimal native settings, 480p over Component, which would work out well for me.

dswill79 @ Aug 14th 2008 3:14PM

I also went with "No, because it's not an important feature" since I have an upscaling DVD player, and like many others have said, I don't want to take the chance at ruining my Wii. It's the same reason I never used my PS2 as a DVD player...the constant use of it will wear out the internal workings that much faster, and I'd much rather use the machine for what it was designed for....my waggling enjoyment!

Cheswick @ Aug 14th 2008 9:18PM

I already have my ps3 and receiver dvd hooked up to my tv. Really don't to be using my wii for dvds.

techfreak713 @ Aug 14th 2008 3:21PM

heh. i would. but i dont have Zelda.

RupeeClock @ Aug 14th 2008 3:25PM

I'll pass on doing DVDs on my wii.

Mostly because I rarely watch them, and if I do, I'd do it on my crisp computer monitor rather than a 480p display.

Dan @ Aug 14th 2008 3:29PM

I chose "No, as homebrew scares me" and If I could I would also say it is not important to me. Homebrew interests me but I am afraid of ruining my warranty and I don't see what I could use it for. If I use the Homebrew channel, I ruin my warranty. Even if I download it, it wouldn't be essential to me. I also heard about frame rate dropping when viewing a DVD, which would ruin the experience. I already have a DVD player so it seems useless. It is interesting to see that they have figured this out, though.

CalcProgrammer1 @ Aug 14th 2008 3:33PM

I picked the first. I thought it worked pretty well. It didn't drop too many frames and it was actually really a good picture. The only problem is poor button configuration and navigation, but as this is only a quickly compiled MPlayer proof of concept, I'm sure we'll see more DVD implementations based on the new release that are more fine-tuned for usability and quality playback. I like the DVD implementation, but overall I think it will be nice when it works alongside a Media Center type application for a true all-in-one experience.

Kev888 @ Aug 14th 2008 3:36PM

I'm quite apprehensive about homebrew on the Wii 'cos Nintendo may release an update that would mess it up...however, I don't mind using homebrew on my DS

Don @ Aug 14th 2008 3:37PM

No option for "No, because Twilight Princess costs $60.00 (in Canada)"?

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10075820&catid=24311

Come on. Don't just assume people are willing to shell out $60.00 or that all Wii owners have Twilight Princess.

But no for me, I'm too scared of homebrew. Or rather, what Nintendo might do [to my Wii with system updates] to try to fight it.

Arex @ Aug 14th 2008 4:15PM

There is always the rental option. Or you can borrow a friend's copy since you only need the game for less than five minutes.

Oneiroi @ Aug 14th 2008 3:50PM

Recently my dvd player broke and my roommate was in shock that we couldn't replace it with the Wii. I think its perceived as standard that these things should be able to play dvd's.

Now that I bought a nice replacement dvd player, I had no urge to try this out. Although it's great to know I can.

Ben @ Aug 14th 2008 4:07PM

I'm all about the homebrew, I downloaded this right away got it ready to run then thought to myself - "hey, there's a dvd player right next to my wii, and they'll probably have an update for this in the future without the channel install that i don't trust... so why not just wait until my wii's not sitting RIGHT NEXT TO a dvd player?" then i went to work and made pizza all morning.

AardvarkSagus @ Aug 14th 2008 4:10PM

I can't vote because there isn't an option for "I don't have Twilight Princess"!

AardvarkSagus @ Aug 14th 2008 4:19PM

Of course my other reason is because My DVD play is situated a whopping 2 in. to the left of my Wii.

phenylketonurics @ Aug 14th 2008 4:21PM

No. Very pointless. It's a gaming console NOT a dvd player/mp3 player/trash compacter.

Arex @ Aug 14th 2008 4:25PM

I tried it out last night and it works great. Of course, you give up Dolby Digital/DTS. It'll be even better once they are able to fix the frame rate issue.

It was even able to play some backed up DVDs that won't run on my standalone player or PS3. As for those backed up DVDs, they play smoothly, without any dropped frames, probably due to their lower bit-rate.

Definitely a nice piece of homebrew. Not particularly useful if you're among the 95% of people who already have a DVD player hooked up right next to your Wii, but it's cool to see they were able to add this functionality to the system.

CubeGuy @ Aug 14th 2008 4:50PM

How about "No, because my Wiimote is broke and I can't navigate the damn menu with a Gamecube controller for some unknown reason"?

Seriously. I can't even start up Smash Bros Brawl. Do you have any idea how frustrating that is?

Waffala @ Aug 14th 2008 5:00PM

That's the saddest thing I've heard all day. :(

CubeGuy @ Aug 14th 2008 5:08PM

Gewurztraminer says: R.O.B. is the last Cylon! @ Aug 14th 2008 5:09PM

I'll wait until Nintendo decides to develop one on their own. And if they don't, meh. I've already got two DVD players, a PS2, and this lovely little device I'm using right now called a com-pu-ter.

Besides, I'd much rather get a replacement DVD player, PS2 or DVD-drive, as all three (COMBINED) would be less expensive to replace than a bricked Wii.

Garst @ Aug 14th 2008 5:10PM

This concept of homebrew confuses and infuriates me. Well, it's more that it eludes me. I never have been able to get it to work.

Greg2k @ Aug 14th 2008 5:19PM

I've tried it with Snatch and the audio lost sync early on. I understand it's just a start and both support and performance will improve, but what I'm really clamoring for is AVI playback from the DVD (I use Geexbox for loading off of SD cards and USB drives but I have this 4GB AVI I want to load and don't have a large USB drive).

Funny fact: if you press the eject button on your Wii while watching a DVD the disc should pop out of the drive and spin on the floor, since the disc is spinning in the opposite direction as the one the Wii's disc loader is accustomed to!

Jeremy @ Aug 14th 2008 5:27PM

Honestly I think that the work going into the homebrew scene is great but all it would take is one well placed system update and your Wii is fried. And don't say just wait to download the update since so far a few of the bigger Nintendo titles has the system updates right in with the game. Not to mention the fact that most people that can afford the Wii already has a DVD player connected to the same TV.

CJLopez @ Aug 14th 2008 5:45PM

I have a PS3 standing next to my Wii, so no need to this homebrew, still, i don't own thatmuch dvd's, neither I have many, i rather watch my anime downloaded.

KaBob799 @ Aug 14th 2008 6:12PM

I installe and tested it but I wont use it until we know more about possible damage.

Brian @ Aug 14th 2008 6:13PM

Where is the "Yes, but the software didn't work" option? I installed everything per the instructions and when I try to run the MPlayer program from Homebrew, I just get a black screen.

Smoke @ Aug 15th 2008 7:35AM

Take out your Gamecube memory card, that should do the trick. Quite a few people have this problem, although quite a few others don't.

Brian @ Aug 15th 2008 10:50AM

@Smoke
Unfortunately I never have a Gamecube memory card installed in the Wii. I seem to be one of the few people to be having this problem. Thanks for the tip, though.

Thanatos @ Aug 14th 2008 6:20PM

Certain homebrew doesnt scare me but im waiting to see if this has any lasting damage or negetive affects on the Wii but frankly id rather use my 5.1 Surround sound setup to play DVDs.

Roto13 @ Aug 14th 2008 7:50PM

When the Wii was announced to not have DVD playing capabilities, I was one of the people saying that I have two DVD players already (and that's been bumped up to four now) so I don't care. I still don't care. :P The effort to download the homebrew software is more than turning on my PS3 or DVD player.

Roto13 @ Aug 14th 2008 7:53PM

Also, those of you saying you're scared of voiding your warranty, exactly how many of you are actually still covered under the warranty?

Mike @ Aug 14th 2008 11:34PM

What I wonder is can it play CD's, and therefore a laser lens cleaning disc?

FTen @ Aug 15th 2008 2:22AM

Repost from Hackmii for those who believe the DVD laser myth;

"
Erant // Aug 13, 2008 at 2:53 am

The myth of you being able to ‘burn out’ a DVD laser is pretty much what it says on the tin, a myth. This drive was designed specifically for two things. reading Wii games, and reading DVD-Videos. There are special commands in the drive for doing so. (We use these commands to read these discs without a modchip). So, these drives were designed with reading DVD-Videos in mind. (And even if they wern’t, you’re running the entire drive in spec. I’ve been told these myths came about when people were pot-tuning their PS2s, running them out of spec. Running any piece of hardware beyond the limits that were set for it will break it in the long run)
....."

And the DVD playback worked well for my School House Rock DVDs.
-FTen

Spluter @ Aug 15th 2008 9:50AM

Not interested, really into home brew on the wii, but DVD playback is just not needed, my DVD player and PS3 both do the job better, both upscale, and both are connected via Dolby Digital 5.1, DVD is not just about Picture the audio is amazingly important and the wii just isn't capable of achieving this, I would be more interested for running Divx off of a memory stick / external hard drive which again my PS3 and DVD player can do, but would be much more usefull in general as this isn't as cheaply and widely available

Spluutter @ Aug 15th 2008 9:57AM

Matt Quinton @ Aug 15th 2008 12:45PM

I tried it myself, but it was practically useless - dropped frames, audio syncing out, general rubbish. Although, the function of using mPlayer to play media files directly from an SD card is useful - I have quite a few fansubbed anime shows I watch on it - and it saves me from burning to a DVD.

I know fansubs are piracy, but when a show isn't released in my language, let alone in my region, it leaves me little legal choice to enjoy the work of some great animators and story tellers.

shadow1w2 @ Aug 15th 2008 6:53PM

I've played two DVDs on mine so far.
Sonic Anime (the old origonal one, non of that new age crying crap)
and Weird Al's UHF movie.
I figured older DVDs would be best just incase. Though overall its been rather smooth, well UHF was off synch by a millisecond or two and the Sonic Anime seemed a bit choppy in some parts, but barely noticable.

I play to only use this new feature rarely. I dont want to risk burning on the laser in the drive. Though I beleive its only possible if you use it rather frequently.

For me, its perfect.
It skips the annoying menu screens and goes straight to playing the videos.
Now any time I'm at a family get together or just watching my little cousins I can pop in a DVD without the hassle of finding a DVD player.

Eventually the player will get better.

Though what Im most interested in is the emulators.
Cause now I can burn a disc of a full set of old 16-bit and lower games and play every game right off the bat without filling my SD card. Saving its space for more songs for ExciteTruck.
Or ofcourse more homebrew.

raindog @ Aug 16th 2008 12:14PM

There is no substantial difference between not wanting to ruin your warranty and being scared that your Wii will break in such a way that you'll have to pay to get it repaired.

Tyler @ Aug 16th 2008 12:17PM

It absolutely needs more work. I love the fact that I was able to watch Monty Python and the Holy Grail, as well as some episodes of Gundam Wing in .OGM format(which pleased me.) However, It failed to play: House Seasons 1-3, Heroes season 1, Rozen Maiden 1-4, Gungrave 1-3, Dragon Ball Z season 1...

I seriously tried everything I had. Oh well.