Wii Photo Channel to lose MP3 support in December update in favor of MPEG4-AAC.
An update on Nintendo’s Wii site, where the Photo Channel is explained, contains a notice that the Channel will receive a number of “enhancements” this December in optional version 1.1. Among the changes is one that is of debatable value: the channel will drop support for MP3s (which are available for playback in a limited way while viewing photos). The simplistic explanation given on the site is that the new M4A support will provide better sound quality with reduced file size.
Of course, we know better.
M4As may sound better, byte-for-byte, but there’s no reason I can grasp for them to drop the more widespread MP3 format support unless they’re trying to comply with some new partner’s demands. The photo channel can play these files from an SD card, so perhaps this has something to do with a change in the system’s storage solution… which right now is really a problem, more than a solution. Fortunately, MP3 functionality in games like Excite Truck are not to be broken by the change.
Click the image above to get the whole thing, or click through for the text.
The Photo Channel will change.
Check out these enhancements to the Photo Channel, which will be available in December, 2007.
1. Personalize your Wii Menu by making one of your favorite digital images from an SD memory card as the Photo Channel icon.
2. Consumers with MP3 compatible Photo Channels will have the option of updating their Photo Channel to version 1.1, which replaces MP3 compatibility with the ability to play AAC files. AAC files provide a greater sound quality than an MP3 of the same size. This new compatibility will work with MP4 audio files in the .m4a format. Additionally, you can now choose to have the songs play back in a random order.
*Wii consoles sold in retail stores starting in December 2007 should include AAC file support.
*Starting in early December 2007, Wii Console owners who do not have AAC file compatibility will have the option of updating their Photo Channel to version 1.1 by downloading the new version from the Wii Shop Channel. Please note that once the Photo Channel has been updated to version 1.1, the channel will no longer be able to play MP3 format music files. Wii games that currently have features which use MP3 music files will continue to use the MP3 file format. These Wii games will not be compatible with the AAC files.
Additionally, consumers who purchase a Wii console with the updated Photo Channel (ver. 1.1) already installed will not be able to install the previous version to support MP3 playback.
Tags: AAC, M4A, MP3, patch, photo channel
2 Comments »
Leave a comment!
It’s all very easy to explain: royalties! I bet by removing that feature from the system they no longer have to pay the MP3 license fee. I have no idea what the fee is for MP4-AAC, but I’m betting its less and therefore rolled into the “AAC is better for you!…. and better for us”.
AAC encoding is actually better than MP3, as “easily” explained on a recent article on Ars Technica. But my vote lies more on the royalties.
I thought the same thing, but the same company licenses both formats, if I understand it correctly. That doesn’t mean the fees are the same, but who knows? I do know that M4A can have DRM implemented while MP3 does not.