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Wii U Does Not Want Your Movies

Wii U Does Not Want Your Movies

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The Wii was the first Nintendo console to use a non-proprietary disc format. Even with the Wii U on the way, the original Wii remains the only such device from the company, though the new system is clearly capable of reading the DVDs to which Wii games have been pressed. Both of these consoles, however, despite their capability to read this format, lack the ability to play DVD movies. The Wii U, which uses a proprietary disc format with a storage capacity comparable to single-layer Blu-Ray discs, also cannot play Sony’s homegrown format.



In the end, it comes down to money and functionality. According to Iwata, putting DVD playback in either of these consoles, or Blu-Ray for that matter, would be redundant for most consumers. When the PlayStation 2 came out, that functionality was novel, and the system was a serviceable alternative to buying a dedicated DVD player. Sony used the PlayStation 3 in the same manner, offering Blu-Ray playback in addition to gaming at a competitive price. Now, however, the market has been established, and Iwata sees no reason to simply throw that capability in there, especially since it would cost Nintendo money. Both DVD and Blu-Ray are patented technologies. To build playback for DVD or Blu-Ray movies into their console, Nintendo would have to shell out money to the patent holders, one of whom is their direct competitor: Sony.

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