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.
Video demo of Wiimote and TV playing nice
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.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-04-2008 @ 4:07PM
Kyle 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?
Reply
3-04-2008 @ 4:12PM
Jonathan Tran said...
It makes the sensor bar shoot the commands, which bounce off your head/shirt/wall into the TV.
Neat, huh?
3-04-2008 @ 4:09PM
jsa3mm said...
I want!!!
Reply
3-04-2008 @ 4:16PM
mgroves 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.
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3-04-2008 @ 4:23PM
James 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.
3-04-2008 @ 4:26PM
motang said...
That actually looks better than I thought.
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3-04-2008 @ 4:39PM
clif 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.
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3-04-2008 @ 5:17PM
Alan Friesen 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).
3-04-2008 @ 4:44PM
DiddlyKong said...
As someone who used the internet channel more than 3 times. I am interested. And you can't beat free.
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3-04-2008 @ 5:40PM
applefreak said...
Do you need to have a TV service to watch the channels?
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3-04-2008 @ 6:02PM
Zack 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?
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3-04-2008 @ 7:29PM
Drago Dracini said...
OMG! WANT! WANT MUCH! @.@
Reply
3-04-2008 @ 11:33PM
Iain 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.
Reply
3-05-2008 @ 12:42AM
Adv2k1 said...
looks decent, however its never coming to USA. We have variety and choice in TV. Japan is very different beast.
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3-05-2008 @ 9:09AM
bransman 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...
Reply
3-05-2008 @ 10:18AM
Luke 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?
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3-05-2008 @ 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.
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3-05-2008 @ 10:56AM
scaught said...
Snicker.
Reply
3-05-2008 @ 11:13AM
John Laur 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!
Reply