Comments on: Blu-ray is a Must-Have Feature in Next-Gen Consoles

By: cody hanby

cody hanby — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:13:00 +0000

i could not agree more.

By: cody hanby

cody hanby — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:12:00 +0000

u need to pay the elec bill and the streaming service and maybee eve internet service. streaming is slow. and they could make profit. o yah, it costs to have a disc reader. but the got one alreadfy.

By: cody hanby

cody hanby — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:09:00 +0000

they get less money that way. discourageing people that are afraid to hack. if it was the one and everything, it would be better. and youd get your moneys worth better.

By: cody hanby

cody hanby — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:06:00 +0000

just hack your wii u thing. that works for the current wii, and probably will work its way into a wiiu. thats not allowed, but it harms nobody, andits there fault. but they are idiots for it.

By: Mitchell Hébert

Mitchell Hébert — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 20:51:00 +0000

I disagree. i would say only 15% of the gaming population would rather have a blu-ray player than not have one assuming not having one means cheaper console prices.

By: Carbonize

Carbonize — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 18:10:00 +0000

Actually I stream movies from my PC to my 360 so the internet going isn’t going to make any difference. given the price of flash memory these days I can see a return to consoles that use cartridges.

By: Del

Del — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 10:31:00 +0000

While I understand the authors point of view, I disagree. The plain and simple is that with the exception of the extremely casual, most people have multiple consoles or a stand alone blu-ray player. To be honest most of my “casual” friends have a PS3, a Wii, and a stand alone blu-ray player. You can substitute the PS3 for an XBOX 360 for others and most “gamers” I know have all the major consoles.

The Wii-U is not going to retire the other consoles and IMO does not need to have blu-ray playback capabilities. Just like the Wii did not need it.

By: niels niels

niels niels — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:04:00 +0000

Not everybody is going to get sucked into this ‘future’ of streaming everything and having control/ownership of nothing.

I know plenty of times and places where I won’t have a connection, and maybe I don’t want to depend on a connection always and for everything. A connection controlled by just about everybody except me.
I like my disks, they are not rented, they belong to me, and they reliably stay in my cupboard until such time that i want to use them.

This streaming and cloud hype is just a sham in hopes to be able to install more tollbooths soon to nickel and dime you to death, without you ever attaining ownership of anything.

And then some blip, some war or natural desaster, and all those 100 Mbps connections are down, and everybody is sitting around their houses playing DVD’s and such….

Use technology to your best advantage, but don’t trust it, don’t trust that it will always be there.

Blueray disks are good for backup and they are good to buy software or films on.
Streaming is a great addition, but not a replacement

By: Carbonize

Carbonize — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:30:00 +0000

Could this author be any more behind the times? Streaming is the future of movies not larger capacity discs. As for Blu-ray for games as any PS3 owner will tell you it’s a pain in the rear having to install most of the game to the hard drive first because blu-ray is just to damn slow.

By: Jacksheen0000

Jacksheen0000 — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 00:05:00 +0000

Right on!!! Innovation is the Future. Nintendo comes up with good ideas; and Not some PS3 move that in my opinion look like a dildo. And of course I m tried of kinecting the DOT already.

By: Jacksheen0000

Jacksheen0000 — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 23:40:00 +0000

Most of us here are missing the point here simply because we’ve all seen
how computational power substantially grew with in the last decade;
but optical technology has failed to grow at the same rate.
That being said, I hope Nintendo add a faster optical drive then Blu ray; because Blu ray is too slow for gaming and it was created for better looking movie in mind. So I’d rather Nintendo spend the extra money on a proprietary optical drive to be implemented into the Wii U configuration. Beside, Digital media streamed over the internet is taking over tangible media(DVDs/BLU ray/ETC) This is the reason Block Buster Video is losing to Net flicks.

Faster optical drive = less loading time = better gaming experience

By: Zends Media, Inc.

Zends Media, Inc. — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 23:28:00 +0000

^ funny comment.

Well, the argument within the company is whether Nintendo wants to keep up their high success rate by adding innovative features for the Wii U or succumb to the high-tech standards of modern devices. Remember when people judged Nintendo when they released the trailer for the Wii? “This thang don’t play movies!?!?” “Ew, loook a the stupid controller” “This will be garage garbage in 2 months”. WRONG. Nintendo has proven time and time again that Innovation is the Future. I will not be in line buying a Wii U until I feel the Wii has nothing left to offer.

By: Timothy James

Timothy James — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 22:45:00 +0000

Let’s be mature now lol. Some people may prefer their game system to do one thing, but it makes more sense to have one machine do most if not all reach your entertainment needs.

By: Jacksheen0000

Jacksheen0000 — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 22:42:00 +0000

I agree that Nintendo never really had to worry about costs but a saving a buck does not mean much to some either; but to a big corporation means saving millions. Beside Nintendo wouldn’t want to pay Sony for using the the Blu ray technology in the first place.

By: Timothy James

Timothy James — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 22:21:00 +0000

It is also smart because it allows the consumer to feel as if they are getting more for their money when in reality they are hooked up to a gateway of more content to purchase which in the long haul brings huge profits for companies such as Sony, Microsoft, Netflix and Hulu Plus.

By: Timothy James

Timothy James — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 22:21:00 +0000

By: Psektor

Psektor — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 22:16:00 +0000

Umm Abit Of An Idiot Aint You? You Buy Games Consoles To Guess What… PLAY GAMES, Nintendo Has Done A Smart Move Because If They Added Other Things Into It Which Everyone Owns Already, It Would Up The Price Of The Wii U. Well Done Nintendo! I Dont Ever Want To See Blu Ray Or Music Shit On My Console Thank You, I Have A MP3 And My DVDS.

By: Timothy James

Timothy James — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 22:10:00 +0000

well in today’s world what draws in revenue is a product that does more than one thing. Smartphones are a gateway to music, aps, movies, the web and more, HD TV’s today are built in with these things as well, so it’s a pretty smart concept because it creates more revenue for companies. If you buy a video game system with a blu-ray drive, you more than likely to buy a blu-ray movie. If you buy a smartphone with music capabilities through Amazon or iTunes than you are also more than likely to purchase music. Oddly you can buy a fridge with a small touchscreen and built-in aps…..so I would have to disagree with you, I mean come on, washer and dryers have a their own wireless line with built in aps, so to find a product that is able to do more than lets just say keep your food fresh isn’t uncommon, and doesn’t make a consumer and idiot, it just gives them access to more than what the initial product is capable for.

By: Timothy James

Timothy James — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 22:10:00 +0000

By: atari 2600 gamer

atari 2600 gamer — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 20:50:00 +0000

To be honest All Next gen Systems Should have..100GB capasity Disks With a 16x read drive ,as well as 8GB system Ram (min), 4GB(min) for Graphics Direct X 11.3 ( I think that the Current Version) Video Cards, 16GB SSD(solid State Drive) for manditory updates ability, flash Drive Storage or Accelerater (so that means lie 8 usb ports over the console), Ports for contollers (yes I like wired Devices) abiity to plug in USB harddirves Of any size for game storage (even if later they must be pdated via company x,y or z it support), Better Voice over IP chat, Better Headsets, MMORPGs, Faster CPU and better CPU , of and My Fav Real Backwards Compataibility.

By: IveSeenTheLight

IveSeenTheLight — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 20:28:00 +0000

I think thier new disc format will be… HD DVD! Makes sence. WiiU is 5-6yrs behind before getting out of the gate! It’s supposed to be 25gigs.

By: OldSchool gamer

OldSchool gamer — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 19:58:00 +0000

If you buy a game console and expect it to do something else, you sir are an idiot.

What else does your vacuum cleaner do? Anything else? If not then I guess you don’t own a vacuum cleaner?

What all does your toaster do? Again, i…d…i…o…t.

By: Timothy James

Timothy James — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 19:52:00 +0000

I agree with you on the cost side, but Nintendo has never really had to worry about costs, since they have a mast popularity and high success rate. I also do not believe blu-ray is as expensive as it was five years ago. Costs have come down a lot, and should be very close to the prices of dvd’s being manufactured. If they were smart they would create a system that was on pair with Xbox and Sony, by creating a media outlet that allows more than just family gaming, but a family media system that integrates everything the PS3 and Sony has.

By: Timothy James

Timothy James — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 19:41:00 +0000

Great article, I believe you are right, and I have found my PS3 to the best multimedia outlet available. I also believe Microsoft is working hard to be that source as well. I do not think disc media will be outsourced or taken away anytime soon only because it has a strong support with people who still feel that disc based media is easier accessible than streaming. Streaming is getting better, but who wants to wait hours to download something larger than 7gb, and blu-ray movies look amazing and streaming just doesn’t have a quality that is identical. I want my gaming system to be my gateway to all kinds of content, playback and quality. Blu-ray, Aps, and a network that allows me access to all kinds of media and information. So it is very important when creating a system to keep that in mind, because people will always want something that allows you to do more than just a limited amount of things.

By: Guest

Guest — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 17:22:00 +0000

I’m sure there will be a mod that allows ppl to play Blu-Rays, just as the Wii was modded to allow DVDs to be played. Not worried.

By: eee

eee — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 17:02:00 +0000

I dont think its necessary for the Wii U to have blu-ray, but next gen xbox I think should have blu-ray. But then again that would raise the cost of the console so I would just rather have Microsoft use their own version of blu-ray so hopefully the cost of the next xbox console would be around $100 cheaper than the ps4.

By: eee

eee — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 17:02:00 +0000

By: Jacksheen0000

Jacksheen0000 — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 15:39:00 +0000

Blu ray is wonderful feature to have but Have you ever asked yourself why Blu ray disc
cost so much? I’ll explain why:First off, Blu ray was created with
making better looking movies in mind. It wasn’t
meant for gaming simply because when using laser Blue light spectrum
you gain lots of space but lose on the read pickup speed. When using
laser red light spectrum you gain lots of read pickup speed but lose on
the storage space. There is a complete trade off when changing the color
light spectrum and intensity(cold/hot) when reading an optical disc.
So being that Blu ray Blue ultra violet light is projected thinly while
allowing the laser to read smaller grooves on a disc. The drawback is
this process is what drive the cost of each blu ray disc because the
optical disc would have to be made stronger to compensate for the Blue
light spectrum intensity being so weak. In addition, anti-skipping
technology would have to be incorporated to every blu ray disc to insure
its accuracy or it won’t work. This of course is another reason for the
heavty price tag for each blu ray disc being manufactured. So I don’t
blame Nintendo for going with a propitiatory drive if there main goal is
to keep the cost of each disc made for the Wii U console.

By: Jacksheen0000

Jacksheen0000 — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 15:39:00 +0000

By: Jacksheen0000

Jacksheen0000 — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 15:33:00 +0000

50 gigs is wonderful but Have you ever asked yourself why Blu ray disc cost so much? I’ll explain why:First off, Blu ray was created with making better looking movies in mind. It wasn’t
meant for gaming simply because when using laser Blue light spectrum
you gain lots of space but lose on the read pickup speed. When using
laser red light spectrum you gain lots of read pickup speed but lose on
the storage space. There is a complete trade off when changing the color
light spectrum and intensity(cold/hot) when reading an optical disc. So being that Blu ray Blue ultra violet light is projected thinly while allowing the laser to read smaller grooves on a disc. The drawback is this process is what drive the cost of each blu ray disc because the optical disc would have to be made stronger to compensate for the Blue light spectrum intensity being so weak. In addition, anti-skipping technology would have to be incorporated to every blu ray disc to insure its accuracy or it won’t work. This of course is another reason for the heavty price tag for each blu ray disc being manufactured. So I don’t blame Nintendo for going with a propitiatory drive if there main goal is to keep the cost of each disc made for the Wii U console.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 09:45:00 +0000

Yeah…like the DVD one or two generations before. Of course it isn’t a must have.

It would be nice bonus for some, I wouldn’t vomit on that, but for some it would needlessly rise the cost. Some already have expensive BluRays and the others just watch Netflix. Thats why I hope, that Nintendo would drop those unnecessary functions, and concentrate on the main course. They are going to do something rather unorthodox, and that’s already going to be expensive. I’m very excited to see new gameplay experiences, and some last gen functions would perhaps make it too expensive to sell, and thus hinder its game support. Those who cannot survive with Netflix can buy another device for playing physical media.

I’m happy, if they choose to put that money into something, thats more interesting for a game console, especially in this case. Wii U is exceptional game console. Its another great risk for Nintendo that is solely a game company(that cannot please their investors with TV sales) and I like to have this consoles gaming related functionality maxed before going for vain incidental features and I think the cost of making a DVD player would have been taken from something else.

As gamer, I applaud them for doing this, and I might buy a secondary console for these more mundane tasks. If I could choose, I would rather take GC support into Wii U, but sometimes, when you are trying some new things, some obsolete things need to be left behind for the greater good. Good riddance.

By: OldSchool gamer

OldSchool gamer — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 06:09:00 +0000

This is the STUPIDEST arguement going around about the Wii before and now the Wii U. Nintendo has always said they are about games. They don’t want to be a media hub. I don’t need a media hub. I want a game station and that’s what Nintendo delivers. It doesn’t play VHS tapes. Start arguing about that one now. What about your 8-tracks? That’s a definite. Sony doesn’t play that. What kind of entertainment media hub is the PS3?!? There aren’t that many lining up to pay $30 for a bluray movie every Tuesday on release. It’s expensive and it will continue to be for a long time. Of all the people I know that have PS3, 360 and kinect, not one of them uses those for anything but gaming. Only one person I know is on xbox live. And we are talking about people owning a total of about 8 360s (3 with kinects) and 11 PS3 consoles. And everyone of those friends has a Wii.

What all do you have taking up space in your entertainment center to bitch about Wii U not playing Blu-Ray or DVD? You still plugging in Sony MiniDisc players, reel-to-reels, tape players, turntables, VHS or Beta player?!?

This argument against the Wii and Wii U is old already and completely stupid. Enough already. You’ll buy it like any other hater just so you can write new articles about how your Wii U collects dust and only comes out on holidays. Write about something news worthy and quit wasting cyber space.

By: OldSchool gamer

OldSchool gamer — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 06:09:00 +0000

By: Avatar Roku

Avatar Roku — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 05:17:00 +0000

PS3 is in distant last place with its Bluray playback. Nintendo doesn’t need to waste money on the license.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 04:26:00 +0000

I love how Don’s articles always get the most comments by people who disagree with him and accusing him of trolling. I know that sometimes he writes pointless articles, particularly the one where he said he didn’t like online gaming. But he kinda has a point here, game consoles aren’t primarily about games anymore just like phones aren’t just about calling people anymore. A lot of people do consider the game console as the primary home entertainment platform, and want as little clutter and devices in their living room as possible. Heck, the least Nintendo could have done here is at least give it DVD playback capabilities..

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Check what the average PS3 or Xbox 360 games clock in at. Even the larger PS3 titles are hard pressed to hit above 25GB.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Check what the average PS3 or Xbox 360 games clock in at. Even the larger PS3 titles are hard pressed to hit above 25GB.

By: Michael Interbartolo III

Michael Interbartolo III — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 03:17:00 +0000

blu ray was only in the PS3 so sony could win the blu ray/hd dvd war. if folks want a blu ray player they already have one or probably have no problem getting a stand alone one. a game console is for games, anything beyond that is bonus(netflix, vudu, amazon) but not necessary.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 03:13:00 +0000

All I have to say is that I will not be buying my Wii U to play Blu-Ray. I have other things to do that for me already.

This is not a legitimate criticism because nobody will be having second thoughts of buying the console just because it lacks Blu-Ray.

What a terrible column.

By: Blankreg

Blankreg — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 02:55:00 +0000

The Wii U is using single layer bluray as it’s storage format, just like they used DVD in the Wii. But just like the Wii can;t play DVD movies they aren’t paying the royalties needed to allow it to playback bluray movies.

Nintendo has always been about doing things on the cheap, they did not suddenly change course and go develop an entirely new optical media format. They are using cheap single layer bluray drives.