2007 version will support DVD playback
In a press release from Sonic Solutions, it’s been announced that an updated version of Nintendo’s soon to be released Wii is already in the pipeline… have a quick read of this:
Sonic CinePlayer CE DVD Navigator Helps Deliver Ultimate Movie Viewing to New-Generation Gaming Console
13 November 2006 - Sonic Solutions® (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, today announced that Nintendo, the worldwide innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, has chosen Sonic® CinePlayer® CE DVD Navigator to bring high-quality DVD movie viewing to a future version of the company's WiiTM gaming console. Nintendo plans to release this version of Wii in the latter half of 2007.
Based on the same technology trusted by Hollywood studios, CinePlayer CE DVD Navigator is a robust, software-based DVD playback engine that delivers broad playback compatibility on a variety of platforms. The proven technology offers exceptional picture quality and supports all standard video and audio formats offered in the DVD specification, as well as advanced functions such as anamorphic widescreen video, motion menus, and multiple video angles.
"To be involved in Nintendo's ground-breaking gaming console is extremely gratifying and a testament to the efficiency, flexibility and dependability of Sonic's technology," said Jim Taylor, senior vice president and general manager of Sonic's Advanced Technology Group. "Game consoles represent a fresh market and platform where we can introduce a new audience of potentially millions to the quality of our brand and the power of our digital media applications."
So that means that next year there’ll be a new Wii with built in DVD playback.
Will this make an impact on whether or not consumers buy the Wii now or wait until the aforementioned ‘latter half of 2007’?
Probably not. Most consumers already have a DVD player, so whether the Wii does DVD playback or not isn’t really an issue, though, as with any upgrading, it’ll be gauling to buy a Wii next year and have it superceded a few months later… which does beg the question, why not just do the DVD thing now?
Tactics from Ninty to beat the PS3 to market in Europe? Maybe…
