Hacking The U Wii browser can play MP4 files through a PC

[tmactx]

The U Wii browser has a video playback feature secret that has now come to light. It appears that most, if not all, of the MP4 video files may be playable through a computer.



In essence, all that is needed is to set up a simple web server on the PC and load the desired files on the hard disk. Then visit the server by entering its IP address in the URL bar of the browser, will "click" in the video we want to see and begin to see the film via streaming.



Video playback is limited to MP4 files. Other file types like AVI and MKV are not supported.



More information about the process in the video below.

 

[Rydian]

... secret? Not only are there multiple threads about this already, but HTML5 support was announced ages ago.

 

[LabSkier]

Ok, so I followed this article's instructions to the T and I keep getting an "error code 112-1007 could not display page" when I put my ip address in the web bar. Help?
http://www.examiner.com/article/wii-u-able-to-stream-mp4-videos-from-your-pc-directions-on-how-to

 

[Rydian]

What's the IP you're putting in?

 

[DiscostewSM]

Ok, so I followed this article's instructions to the T and I keep getting an "error code 112-1007 could not display page" when I put my ip address in the web bar. Help?
http://www.examiner.com/article/wii-u-able-to-stream-mp4-videos-from-your-pc-directions-on-how-to

It's likely Windows Firewall preventing you from accessing your server (I assume you are using Windows). Go into Control Panel -> Windows Firewall, click "Allow an app or feature through Windows Firewall", scroll to the bottom of the list to "World Wide Web Services (HTTP)", and tick the Private box. Press ok, and try accessing your server from your Wii U again. That's how I got mine to work.

 

[JoostinOnline]

The thread title is really annoying me.

 

[Taleweaver]

Is that because it is shortsighted?

It's pretty much the third time I checked it, and I somehow still expect it to just grab the files from my PC which is directly next to it.

Which, of course, is only correct in the literal sense. The proper way would be to say that the wiiU browser can play MP4 files. Oh, and that you can set up your PC as a webserver to host mp4 files.


What the thread title doesn't say, however, is that when "playing" a movie, it uploads on your PC end and downloads on your wiiU end. It probably needs quite some bandwith if you want to stream a high definition movie. And if you've got a data cap on your internet connection, this is a sure way to drain it.

Finally: the legality of the matter. Even if you're just planning to watch your own movies, the fact is that these movies are available for anyone who knows the IP-address. And it'll be a tough defense if the law finds out about it.

Damnit...I accidentally made a wrong assumption there (see posts below). Sorry about that...

 

[jagotu]

It's not like this. Unless you have a public IP server or port forwarding set up, nobody can connect to your PC. Because it goes through LAN (Local Area Network), it doesn't have anything to do with your internet connection. You could even disconnect from internet and still be able to play your movies this way.

 

[Rydian]

Yeah, you won't use up any 'net bandwidth doing this.

 

[LabSkier]

i got past that "error code 112-1007 could not display page" then I got a 501 I think, so I went to check my settings again, as the guide in my link says, refreshed the page and now I'm stuck with a 401 - Unauthorized error. I can't wait for homebrew and a WiiUMC.

 

[Rydian]

I'd suggest just using XAMPP to run a local web server, you don't need to deal with windows permissions like that, it's all contained in a folder (instead of many control panels strewn about), and permissions are text-based (and allowed by default).

http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp-windows.html

Put it in a folder, run the setup, go to /htdocs/ and stick your crap in a folder there.

 

[LabSkier]

I have no idea how to use this, could you please elaborate?

 

[Rydian]

Set it up in a folder, run xampp_start (it will go invisible after starting), and then toss stuff (videos, etc.) into the /htdocs/ folder.

Then while XAMPP is running (make sure IIS is disabled first), you can browse to your IP address from the Wii (like you would do with the first tutorial) and load stuff.

Use xampp_stop to stop and close XAMPP when you're done.

 

[FierceDeity_]

Also be careful if you are running Skype. It hogs port 80 (the web server port) for itself, so xampp might not run because of that. Solution: Kill Skype before running Xampp, then start up skype again.

 

[Rydian]

Or you can go into Skype's settings and uncheck the box that has it use 80/443.

 

[FierceDeity_]

Or you can go into Skype's settings and uncheck the box that has it use 80/443.

Correct, I forgot that.

 

[Windaga]

I followed the guide, and I'm also getting the "Error Code: 112-1007" as well. I've turned off my firewall, turned it on and allowed HTTP through the fire wall, and went to advanced settings, set up a new inbound rule and set it to port 80. Does anyone know what I'm doing wrong? I can access my folder on my PC via my IP address, but I can't on my Wii U

Ah, actually, I got it working. I was typing in an address that worked on my PC, but not on my Wii U. When I switched it to a different IP address, it worked.