Yes Reggie, Wii Netflix Without HD is a Problem

PCWorld's Matt Peckham writes: Dear Nintendo, while I respect your president Reggie Fils-Aime's decision to shrug off the Wii's inability to do high-definition video as "no loss" in an interview with CNBC, I'm not sure you're taking the long view.

[Genesis5]

Yes it is. Who buys an HD TV to watch their movies in SD? I don't know about the rest of the world but in Canada you can't even buy a SD TV anywhere.

I don't mind watching the news or something like that in SD but once you watch movies or play games in HD it's almost impossible to go back to SD and be satisfied.

[mrv321]

Satisfied? So your telling me because the thing is in SD you almost cannot be pleased by a movie. Why? Unless it's an action film I see no reason why pixels can be so important.

Here's my top five, and why I like them so.

1. To end all war- Because it is soo much more awsome than anything, no amount of added pixels could improve it, ever.
2. Clerks - Black and white, grainy and still awsome, because humour and characters and story DOES NOT REQUIRE PIXELS
3. Amelie - I just like how this film cheers me up, and guess what it's art style is far superior to your pixels any day
4. Blues Brothers - AUDIO DOES NOT REQUIRE 7.1 uncompressed to be awsome, video does not require 1080p to be funny
5. 9 company - Seriously the amount of well used characters in this is awsome, and guess what CHARACTERS DON'T NEED PIXELS.
6. The pianist - Again story is NOT a backdrop to pixels.
7. Pay it forward - Story and ethics are far more important than interlaced or progressive.
8. Operation Y - Such a great actor who uses intelligence and timing NOT PIXELS.
9. Dr strangelove or how I stopped worrying and learned to love th bomb - Story and humour is more important than pixels
10. The shawshank redemption - For just beiing so awsome.

NONE OF THOSE FILMS COULD BE IMPROVED IF THEY WHERE IN HD.

SD is fine for everything that movies should be about, story, morale, ethics, art style, characters, pacing. See the point I'm getting. If you cannot be satisfied by SD I feel sorry for yoy because you'll be missing out on all those. I hope you enjoy your subpar life with semi decented acted films with big budget and super 3DHD camera's. But I GUARANTEE 100% I will have more entertainment with the original clerks cut than you'll ever have with generic shooter 12: redemption 3DHD.

When did watching films in SD become so offencive? We've been watching films in SD for years without problems and now with HD suddenly SD becomes useless. We'll I'm off now to watch Clerks... I suggest you rent all the films I just listed, you'd have the time of your life I PROMISE.

[qface64]

i don't think its a problem at all
i mean if your a netflix user who is serious about HD then chances are you won't bother to try and use your wii for netflix anyway you will continue using whatever you were using before the wii got netflix

the people who do decide to use their wii to stream netflix won't have a problem with it

besides its not like you have to stream netflix through your wii
its not like no HD is going to cripple the movie

that's just the way i see it
but then again i won't be using netflix anyway

[MegaPowa]

That anything that isn't HD or ultra realistic is trash and a problem its pretty sad. stupid spoiled brats

[eagle21]

Buy a PS3 for true HD everything. Simple. It only does everything.

The Wii is a VERY fun SD console. I never got to watch any movies on my other Nintendo consoles, so at least Netflix is even available for my Wii.

Anyone who thinks Wii could even output 720p HD let alone true 1080p HD is mentally unstable.

PSWii solves all problems.

[iamtehpwn]

If you think quality doesn't matter, gtfo, and go watch a VHS.

[meepmoopmeep]

but.. you can waggle as the movie is on!

[Baka-akaB]

@mrv321
I hear ya but all of those movie would actually be improved in HD .
Sure they arent about SFX , but photography and quality of image is important , even if it's to display an ugly mutt and a flower pot . If movies werent as much , regardless of the genre , about artistic vision than plot , then we'd be reading shawshank redemption instead .

No offense and all due respect for you great taste in films so far , but it would be hypocrite to state that it doesnt matter .

All of the movies you mentioned would still be great in black and white and old era formats , but they are still better because of color , better image , photography , plenty techniques and now HD .

Anyway the real hypocrite here is nintendo , they are just spinning PR like every company . Of course HD matters , of course video mattered . They kept fighting tooth and claw something as simple as dvd playback , and now they want a piece of the video pie .

Who seriously doesnt expect nintendo to be the greatest advocate of HD gaming and HD video once they make the jump ? Be it with the same console or a new one .

It's ok for them to go sd netflix , but fair criticism an existing service performing at it's lowest and past quality is to be expected .

[A Cupcake for Gabe]

I own a 120hrz 1080p HDtv and having it a year, when compared to newer 120hrz and 240hrz, LEDs etc, it's still holds up a little. But when ever I look at an SD picture, the fuzziness gives me a head ache. Maybe I am spoiled, but I prefer playing COD or Uncharted 2 where I can see a guy clearly in the distance, and not a hazeball of pixels and poo.

On the Netflix Wii, It's cool and all but the issue isn't the HD movies itself, it is the fact the Wii is a blurry SD POS, that won't even render SD to it's full potential. SD on PS3 looks good, SD on Wii looks like iphone SD quality.

[firelogic]

Even the news is better in HD. Once you go HD you cannot go back. I can't wait for HD to be mandatory and all the SD channels are abolished.

[Enigma_2099]

The way you preach about HD, I'm willing to bet you don't even have a Wii!

There's not a single Wii owner who's gonna care. If anything, they'll be happy to have streaming movies on their system. It's not like standard definition is completely unwatchable. And is it true that you have to DOWNLOAD the HD movie to your console to watch it anyway?

Amazing... you managed to turn this into another "Wii needs HD " argument AGAIN.

[DarkTower805]

I own a Wii and I care. Well, it's my son's Wii, but if you own one you know it's more of a family device than an individual one. Anyway, the first day we played I was like "Wow, this is fun". All the innocent goodness of the NES came back into my life. BUT...at the same time I also thought, "this would be so much better in HD".

Like a previous poster stated, after watching HD tv, movies and games for so long the fuzziness of the Wii kind of gives me a headache and makes my eyes hella tired. We all love the Wii, but don't act like a Wii HD wouldn't greatly improve the experience.

[Enigma_2099]

... okay, DAD. Convince me... other than just making things prettier... HOW? How would it improve anything?

Or just admit the only thing that has your panties in a bunch is the graphics.

Apparently that's the big difference between us. We're on opposing sides of the "graphics vs gameplay" argument here. I'm more concerned about how a game PLAYS as opposed to how it looks. And I think Wii graphics are FAR from butt-ugly.

And you can pretty much apply this same argument with movies...when did SD movies just become absolutely HORRENDOUS?

[na-no-nai]

hmm i dont know about that. some movie is hd look utter crap like king kong. i meant you can actually tell what is really fake and unrealistic even tho i know the movie is kind of cg

you just being spoiled that all. i can play games either in hd or sd and it does not bothered me at all. i feel bad when you try to play some of your old games that are non hd

[Microsoft Xbox 360]

Those who bought Wii's probably don't have HDTV's. HD isn't important to the Wii crowd.

[AWBrawler]

Then why is youtube so famous? its worst than VHS quality. and to the guy with the wise crack who said go watch a VHS. I don't mind popping in a VHS tape to watch some Bruce Lee, E.T., Jurassic park, Independence day, or other good films, cos its fun and ironically they last longer in a house with children, than say a DVD. We had to buy cars 4 times and its broke again. When Ninty goes HD I wonder what the new nag will be...

My what fanboyism

[Parapraxis]

Then why did youtube make an "HD" option for videos.
LOL.

[AWBrawler]

those videos still have poor quality even in HD. i had no idea how good crystal bearers looks until i saw the real deal, cos youtube has poor quality. so again it doesn't matter. ugly is ugly with or without HD. you missed the whole point i was making. the point is youtube isn't famous cos of its video quality, its famous cos of its huge selection of entertainment. (if you find it entertaining like i do)

[mrv321]

A problem? The tsunani was a problem, 9/11 was a problem. Not play a film in SD is NOT A PROBLEM. People these days, we've been watching SD films for years now... my eyes didn't fall out because of it. And yes I'm sure the wuality is better. But so what... the quality of the visuals should never be a focal point unless it's a action film.

For example is clerks good or bad? It's good despite being in SD. Is Dr strangelove good or bad? Good again despite being in SD. Quality visuals can never ever make up for a lackluster story, poor characters or stupid visuals.

SD IS FINE! It's not eyebleeding it's NOT A PROBLEM. The same way people have said the 3D glasses are a problem. NO THEY ARE NOT. People have worn glasses for 100's of year and guess what THEY ARE FINE. Wearing glasses is not a problem, you forget you wear them they are just their.

[qface64]

i bought dumb and dumber in HD
there was a big waste of 8 extra dollars lol

[mrv321]

I buy all my films on DVD for $4-$8 and I can honestly say it's worth that.

BTW that was a rough translation and I buy them for £2-£4 I just did the basic £1=$2. Which is way off by now.

[Cueil]

I think you're confusing major disaster and terrorist attack with a problem... having a hang nail is a problem... your starter going out in your car is a problem... having netflix as crappy as the PS3 version plus no HD is a problem

[thehitman]

get some money... save up your change... get an HD TV .... w/ some HD movies and sit there and I wanna see you write the same stupid BS you are writing.

[Harry_Manback]

Doesn't mean that it doesn't make others eyes bleed. Sure, its no big deal considering this is the Wii we're talking about here, but many of us are HD die-hards.

And who ever said this was as catastrophic as those events you mentioned? Its only Netflix dood.

[mrv321]

'get some money... save up your change... get an HD TV .... w/ some HD movies and sit there and I wanna see you write the same stupid BS you are writing.'

I have a HDTV and 2 HD movies I've seen each movie once. I've watched Blues Brothers in SD 2 times in one day.

So it's stupid for me too complain about people blowing stuff out of probortion, it's stupid for me to say that HD while not a fad is still not a major a loss to live without it. In which case I'd rather be stupid than someone who likes the big bangs and guns.

[thebudgetgamer]

: edit: nevermind your a fanboy.

[D4RkNIKON]

I have been watching a lot of HD content through Netflix on the PS3 and it is really amazing. I don't understand how it streams so well at such great quality. I also don't understand how when I stream Netflix on my laptop it looks like crap compared to the PS3. I don't like when content isn't HD, there is a big difference.

[mrv321]

I have been watching a lot of HD content through Netflix on the PS3 and it is really amazing. I don't understand how it streams so well at such great quality. I also don't understand how when I stream Netflix on my laptop it looks like crap compared to the PS3. I don't like when content isn't HD, there is a big difference

PS3 upscales video I'm not sure about streams but I'm fairly sure it does.

If you running other stuff like I.E, IM or other internet things that'd reduce quality.

[kvg88]

I think it's his attitude towards HD in general that has people kind of upset.

[Valay]

Well, the good news is that the next Nintendo console will support HD. That's pretty much confirmed at this point.

[Cueil]

HD will be the greatest thing in the world once Nintendo does it I'm sure...

[siyrobbo]

the wii isn't a HD console, ao really its either SD or nothing at all

Its better than nothing

[ChickeyCantor]

Correct me if im wrong, but NetFlix doesn't have many HD movies do they?

[MegaPowa]

these nerds just want something to bash all day.

[Seferoth75]

I've used it for a while now and havent really noticed much in HD at all.
I guess they are just hurt they cant watch Dragon Wars in HD. I watched it on Sd and it sucked just as much as it would in HD.

Some fanboys just need any excuse to hate. It's sad really because when people say SD graphics hur their eyes, what they are really saying is"this is my first gen of gaming and I am not that bight."

[CraigUK]

I'm guessing most of the 26 million Wii users wont be getting netflix wii, regardless of if it is SD or HD.

I don't see it being a major selling point for the console, so this article is pointless. No Netflix HD isnt a big deal because I'm guessing that less than 1% of wii users will even consider getting it.

[Omega Zues]

Thats about the truth of the matter.

[lizard81288]

MY EYES, MY EYES, THEY ARE BLEEDING, LOOK AT TEH GRAFIXS OF THIS MOVIE, THERE SOOOO BAD!

really? the things people complain about these days are quite sad.

[condorstrike]

come on guys, Nintendo keeps doing this, and people that defend this behavior are Fanboys.

Technology evolves and so you people, how would you like it if you had to revert back to pagers and cellphones were illegal, pissed off right.

Nintendo did prove one thing and that is that people will spend good money on a fad/gimmick even if it's old technology, and yes I include myself, shame on you BigN.

[ChickeyCantor]

No one disagrees that Nintendo COULD HAVE made a more powerful console.
But this is just another thing where people go beserk over something they dont understand themselves.

NETFLIX is providing 480p movies as a standard. So whats the point in bashing Nintendo concerning HD content?

" Nintendo did prove one thing and that is that people will spend good money on a fad/gimmick even if it's old technology, and yes I include myself, shame on you BigN."
No they proved that they understand this market better than Sony or MS for that matter. They have something powerful in their hands right now and can basically go anywhere they want with it.

I dont recall the 360 having "new technology", seriously whats your point?
MS sold a fad too? Don't be ridiculous.
Hell even the Ps3 uses old tech, with its outdated GFX card( like MS).

The "old tech" argument is getting -old- and lame.

Even though Nintendo showed that the future holds different kinds of UI concerning console gaming, you still dare say they are just selling gimmicks and fads.

Im not "defending Nintendo", I just find your argument pointless and highly out of place.

[JJFNIGHTS80]

I doubt Nintendo won't go in High Definition HD cause their a gaming console not a HD CONSOLE. But I don't think Reggie realize that most games like Street Fighter IV, remember reading a interview that he ask Capcom why it's not on the Wii cause Capcom "says cause it's in HD graphics which is not powerful enough for the Wii. If I was working for Nintendo I'll ask them if they would be making a HD Wii Console cause I work in a Electronics Dept and lots and lots of people is starting buy more and more HDTV's.

[Ravenor]

The Wii doesn't support HD, why is this news? I'm pretty sure we all figured this out when the thing was unveiled. I don't even see why this whole Netflix thing on the Wii is such a big deal, it barely plays youtube video's correctly.

As for the whole HD discussion if some people wish to watch movies in HD and they see a value in having everything look better, then why chastise them for it? The idea that a movies visual content equates to it's value is a little ridiculous though.

Btw the PC's been streaming video and audio(TV and Movies) to my TV for far longer then the HTPC 360 and PlayHTPC 3.

[Mogabu]

Their target demo doesn't give two craps about HD, they know it, the sales show it, and there is no need to spend extra money on things your majority demographic doesn't use. I'd say the 360 not including Wireless 802.11 and a HD in every unit was an even bigger misstep. Their demographic WANTED wireless and HD's. Most Wii owners I know are adults that yes, own a HDTV, but don't even know it's not hooked up with the best cables, much less can they tell it's not in HD. This is Nintendo's primary demographic. The older, non-gamer with kids. It's not a "hardcore", HD gaming device and that hasn't hindered it outselling every other console out there by a large margin. I'm not sure it's Nintendo that needs any kinds of lessons on how to appease their demo.

[Hot_tea]

Barely anything is HD on netflix stream and 0.000001% of the planet could stream HD.
Don't lie fan kids.
No, stop it.

[condorstrike]

@ Sidar
My point is not out of place, and sales are showing "not counting december". kids gifts!!!.

like me, many people had high hopes for Nintendo, and after a year; many of us just gave up on it. I ended up buying a PS3 and a X360, and I have a nice PC rig. guess what? both these consoles' technology were par with tech or a year behind at release, but at least I get to play GOOD games and in Hi-def, while Nintendo re-released the Damn gamecube....a decade old technology, and they're going the same route again...

guess what...fanboy after 3 years of reading your posts yapping in defense of Nintendo I can see your fidelity and affinity to the brand, I was the same but grew out of it, thank god.

you should grow-up also and accept the truth for what it is, Nintendo blogs are getting smaller and even Homebrew hackers are leaving the Wii scene, go Play and Xbox or something.

What's your deal? No High-Def tv's in Europe or wherever you're from?...LOL.

So it's your reply that's pointless and highly out of place.

[ChickeyCantor]

" but at least I get to play GOOD games and in Hi-def, while Nintendo re-released the Damn gamecube....a decade old technology, and they're going the same route again... "

Cause the Wii doesn't have good games right?

"
guess what...fanboy after 3 years of reading your posts yapping in defense of Nintendo I can see your fidelity and affinity to the brand, I was the same but grew out of it, thank god. "

So where did i defend Nintendo exactly? All i said was People bashing Nintendo for their Non-HD settings are missing the point if we talk NETFLIX.
Also 360 and Ps3 hold old -tech- too, your argument is still pointless.

"you should grow-up also"
The fact you cant understand how narrowminded and shortsighted this sounds, i lold.

Even if Nintendo falls to the ground, whoopty-doo, your argument is still retarded. Perhaps you are just raged by it that you cant even see what you are saying.
Even this post of yours was pointless.

What is your point exactly? So you don't like Nintendo, then dont come into these sections? Problem solved.

[na-no-nai]

eww xbox that nasty
i prefer playing ps3 over xbox 360 but i rather play with my wii

[AWBrawler]

The N4G crowd has such idiots. how did that guy get over 30 disagrees for stating the truth.

wow

[Ashira]

Hmmm. I don't know. I would rather watch a, say, FUN movie than HD movie X.
Wii is not meant to be a multimedia machine anyway. Get over it.
If you want a multimedia machine, get the PS3 or 360. I'm with Reggie on this one.