Revolution to Play DVDs… Using External Hardware?
When the Revolution was unveiled last year at E3, Nintendo stated that it would have DVD playback capabilities. Many assumed the self feeding drive would be able to handle DVD discs considering that their size is comparable to that of 12 cm Revolution optical discs. Furthermore, the drive will be able to distinguish between GameCube and Revolution games, so why not DVDs? However, after reading the following section from a press release regarding the Revolution, an entirely different piece of hardware may be utilized:
“Two Disc Formats, One Slot: Instead of a tray, a single, innovative, self-loading media bay will play both 12-centimeter optical discs used for the new system as well as Nintendo GameCube discs. Owners will have the option of equipping a small, self-contained attachment to play movies and other DVD content.”
Considering that they are giving owners the option of installing another piece of hardware to play DVDs, I am left to assume that it is a separate DVD drive altogether.
At first I thought this was a rather silly move on Big N’s half, but I now think it’s genius. I have about 5 DVD players in my house right now (I may have 6 as I’m pretty sure if I stick a DVD into my toaster that it’ll play) so I have no need for another machine to do that for me. Thus, cut costs for gamers who don’t want that option, but offer it to gamers who do. Thus, this move works well with supporting the gamer first, and the general user second.
When the Revolution was unveiled last year at E3, Nintendo stated that it would have DVD playback capabilities. Many assumed the self feeding drive would be able to handle DVD discs considering that their size is comparable to that of 12 cm Revolution optical discs. Furthermore, the drive will be able to distinguish between GameCube and Revolution games, so why not DVDs? However, after reading the following section from a press release regarding the Revolution, an entirely different piece of hardware may be utilized:
“Two Disc Formats, One Slot: Instead of a tray, a single, innovative, self-loading media bay will play both 12-centimeter optical discs used for the new system as well as Nintendo GameCube discs. Owners will have the option of equipping a small, self-contained attachment to play movies and other DVD content.”
Considering that they are giving owners the option of installing another piece of hardware to play DVDs, I am left to assume that it is a separate DVD drive altogether.
At first I thought this was a rather silly move on Big N’s half, but I now think it’s genius. I have about 5 DVD players in my house right now (I may have 6 as I’m pretty sure if I stick a DVD into my toaster that it’ll play) so I have no need for another machine to do that for me. Thus, cut costs for gamers who don’t want that option, but offer it to gamers who do. Thus, this move works well with supporting the gamer first, and the general user second.
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