Posts tagged Television at Nintendo Wii Fanboy

Posts with tag television

WiiPlayer optimizes iPlayer for Wii

Posted Jun 6th 2008 2:00PM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: News

It still puzzles us that the BBC was so keen to make its (admittedly excellent and very popular) iPlayer catch-up service compatible with the Wii. Are there really that many Wii owners out there with internet-ready PCs who would opt to use the service on the Wii's slightly clunky Opera browser? Why not just use your PC to watch the latest editions of Gavin & Stacey and The Apprentice? You know: the one you're using to read these words, right at this very second?

Not only that, but the iPlayer on the Wii is hardly user-friendly. Text is so small that it's almost unreadable, loading times are hardly ideal, and the low resolution of the Wii's browser makes navigation awkward. Cue the intervention of WiiPlayer, a hacked version of the iPlayer that has been optimized for Nintendo's console, and is now available for use at http://defaced.co.uk/wiiplayer.

It won't work on your PC, and it goes without saying you'll still have to reside in the UK to use this, but WiiPlayer does do a sterling job, replacing the iPlayer's teensy text and browser-taxing layout with pleasingly chunky, Wiimote-friendly icons and a cleaner, less cluttered appearance.

Gallery: WiiPlayer

[Via Tech Digest]

BBC iPlayer takes the Wii by storm

Posted Apr 9th 2008 1:30PM by Candace Savino
Filed under: News

Now we know what makes you people tick: the BBC. Our inboxes (and comments) have been flooded with news about the BBC iPlayer in one of our most-tipped stories ever.

If you're one of the five people who didn't send us this tip and don't know what's up, the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) announced today that their iPlayer, which allows viewers to catch up with BBC shows online, is now compatible with the Wii. And yes, that means you'll be able to watch Dr. Who, EastEnders, and other such programmes on your TV to your tea-drinking heart's content.

Should this venture by the BBC become successful (which we think it will -- after the news was announced, the number of people using the iPlayer rose significantly), we wouldn't be surprised to see other major networks adopt their services to Nintendo's console.

That's not to say that the BBC isn't running into some problems with the idea, though. Right now, the network is quarreling with ISPs over who should pay the extra service costs. Even so, the player can be used as soon as today, with more polished video quality promised in the future. You'll probably also be relieved to know that the service is free, although it will cost you money to download Nintendo's internet channel if you haven't done so already.

The other catch? The BBC iPlayer is only available in the UK, for the time being, but BBC Worldwide is apparently working on getting an international player up and running.

[Via TVSquad; thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Panasonic to protect plasmas from flying Wiimotes

Posted Feb 18th 2008 9:00PM by Candace Savino
Filed under: News

We've heard many a tale about people flinging their Wiimotes into expensive HDTVs. Despite Nintendo's precautions, some folks still manage to let their controllers fly. Because of this, Panasonic has decided to release ~~idiot-proof~~ Wii-proof plasmas, with panels that protect the screen by resisting up to four joules of energy.

We can't imagine there being a huge market of people wanting this model, with the exception of the truly paranoid. Even so, Crave writes that it won't take too much effort for Panasonic to beef-up certain plasma screens, since they're generally more durable than LCD panels.

Sure, a stronger screen might be useful for other reasons (not all of us have kids, and for all we know, they like to throw stuff at TVs for fun). If you're considering this purchase for Wii purposes, though, might we suggest you simply use protection?

[Via Destructoid]

Wii Warm Up: Wii on TV

Posted Dec 17th 2007 9:00AM by Alisha Karabinus
Filed under: Wii Warm Up

We all know that the Wii has certainly moved beyond the sphere of gaming and into the mainstream as a full-fledged phenomenon. It's sold out everywhere and half your family wants one! The little white console has even shown up on television -- and we're not talking about commercials here, but rather, the Wii's occasional guest bits on various shows. Where have you seen it?

Wii Warm Up: What's your TV situation like?

Posted Sep 23rd 2007 10:30AM by David Hinkle
Filed under: Wii Warm Up

We all know Nintendo wasn't going for high-end, photo-realistic graphics with the Wii, meaning that just about any television can serve your gaming needs with the console well. Still, some of you probably have high-end TVs because you wanted a big TV, have other gaming consoles that can take advantage of its capabilities (GASP!), or enjoy HDTV from your television provider. Or, maybe you game on something like this.

So, what kind of TV are you rocking? Take a picture and link it, or just tell us.

Japanese TV executive forgets the last 20 years

Posted Jul 11th 2007 12:15PM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: News

An executive with Japan's TBS station (which is Tokyo Broadcasting System, not the Turner one we have over here that shows 400 Friends reruns a day), must have been desperate for someone to receive the buck he was looking to pass.

Apparently there is somewhat of a crisis in the television industry over there right now. He blamed the decline in television viewing on other media: "There are outside factors at work. One is people watching TV on their cell phones where we can't track them, but the really big factor is the time people are spending on the Wii."

If this is true, why haven't Japanese television ratings been down for the last seven years, while the Playstation 2 has been out? After all, there are about 25 million of those over there-- surely someone in Japan thought to play theirs. And what of the 19 million Famicoms? How has television survived?

It's preposterous to think that 2 million Wiis hooked up to 2 million TVs have had a more widespread deleterious effect on TV watching than the enormous install base of the Playstation 2. This is just an example of grabbing something out of the news and blaming that for a problem. See also: Grand Theft Auto and real violence.

[Via NeoGAF; all sales estimates from VGChartz]

Three-year-old's Tennis tantrum

Posted May 26th 2007 1:45PM by Eric Caoili
Filed under: Fan stuff, Controller

Brian McConnell left his son, Adam, alone with a game of Wii Sports: Tennis for only a few moments to fetch a drink, but that was all the time the little demon needed. Not even a Wii remote strap could've saved Brian's plasma TV once the three-year-old set his mind on avenging a lost match.

Brian came back to the living room to find his £1,000 television ruined, its 42-inch screen bashed by his Wiimote-wielding progeny. Queue up the darth_vader_nooo.jpg images.

The forgiving father let Adam off the hook with only a light lecture and a two-week Wii ban. That's a lot more lenient than the hanging, drawing, and quartering punishment one of our NintenDadz would've sought.

[Via Engadget]

Punch-Out!! leaves HDTVs down for the count

Posted Apr 26th 2007 12:25PM by Eric Caoili
Filed under: Virtual Console

Many who've downloaded the Virtual Console's Punch-Out!! release are reporting that the boxing game isn't playing well with their HDTVs. Timing is paramount if you want to dodge punches and have your own jabs connect, but the HDTV response lag that sometimes occurs has a habit of knocking Little Mac's bloodied face onto the canvas, leaving him too dazed to even focus his eyes on the mouthguard dropped inches away.

Gamers with SDTV's haven't been experiencing any lag between their controllers and the onscreen fight, and explanations for the decreased response time lean towards blaming the televisions, so Nintendo doesn't seem to be at fault this time. Have you noticed any HDTV lag with Punch-Out!! or your other Virtual Console purchases?

(We know that Mike Tyson isn't in the VC release of Punch-Out!, but we saw the above comic at The Librarianist, and couldn't stop ourselves from using it!)

Retractable Wii Sports Cuff fails to reel us in

Posted Apr 3rd 2007 7:30PM by Eric Caoili
Filed under: Peripherals, Controller

The Retractable Wii Sports Cuff replaces the subtlety and elegance of the Wii remote's wrist strap with a bulky band that we wouldn't be caught dead wearing. We don't doubt that the adjustable neoprene cuff has an agreeable fit, but did anyone ever find the original straps uncomfortable, if even noticeable at all?

And what sort of human does the retractable thirteen inches of slack benefit? Are there people whose hands extend that far away from their wrist? Or are these cuffs marketed towards some sort of video-game-playing race of long-fingered mutants? Creepy!

You would think that the shop would take advantage of all the "faulty Wii Strap" controversy and emphasize the durability of the cuff's cord, but the product description makes no mention of any improved toughness. What's there to reassure us that we won't end up with a Wii remote sticking out of our television after a heated game of Wii Tennis? Even at a sale price of $5.99, you'll probably want to stay clear from this accessory.

[Via CAG]

Protect your Wiimote with a decal

Posted Mar 9th 2007 1:15PM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: Imports, Peripherals

Gametech is concerned about the finish of your Wiimote. Perhaps you've been playing too much Wario Ware while wearing your fabulous jewelry? Perhaps you've been putting the Wiimote in your pocket while you answer the phone? Or maybe you've put the controller through too many televisions?

Whatever the reason, your pristine, shiny surface is in danger of being scratched. And Gametech wants to sell you this plastic decal, called the Subera na Sheet Wii ("Slip Sheet Wii") to help prevent that from happening. They're also including a grip-enhancing decal for the battery cover of the remote. They promise right there on the package that it is difficult for you to lose grip of it!

Man attempts to steal Wiimote, assaults security

Posted Feb 20th 2007 12:45PM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: News, Fan stuff

Remember how we used to say that our console was the better one because it didn't incite violence among its fanbase? That was fun while it lasted. Now all we have to go on is the price and selection of games.

37-year-old Kazunari Tanaka is accused of trying to shoplift a Wiimote and a CD from a Bic Camera in Nagoya, Japan. When security guards accosted him, he (allegedly) started punching, leaving both guards injured.

We won't blame the Wii for this crime, although we're sure someone will. People shoplift every day.
The Wii doesn't inspire crimes against anything but televisions (against which it instills a murderous rage).

[Via NeoGAF; thematically appropriate image taken from this post]

Japanese television spot

Posted Oct 11th 2006 10:15AM by Alisha Karabinus
Filed under: News

That's right -- the first Japanese Wii television commercial has surfaced, and it's certainly short and sweet. According to tipster creamsugar, the voiceover translates as follows:

"What's this? A new remote controller? Nintendo Wii Remote."

And that it is. Check out the video after the jump. We'd have liked something a little more colorful, but we'll take what we can get.

[Thanks, creamsugar and Steve, for sending this one in!]

Continue reading Japanese television spot

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Nintendo Wii Fanboy

WiiPlayer optimizes iPlayer for Wii

BBC iPlayer takes the Wii by storm

Panasonic to protect plasmas from flying Wiimotes

Wii Warm Up: Wii on TV

Wii Warm Up: What's your TV situation like?

Japanese TV executive forgets the last 20 years

Three-year-old's Tennis tantrum

Punch-Out!! leaves HDTVs down for the count

Retractable Wii Sports Cuff fails to reel us in

Protect your Wiimote with a decal

Man attempts to steal Wiimote, assaults security

Japanese television spot

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