I believe I read that Nintendo struck a deal with Sonic Solutions for the DVD software... so maybe it could be updated some how with just software?

 

I believe Optical Disc Drive is just a generic term for any type of disc (non-floppy) drive. My guess would be that the person(s) in question didn't know what to call it.

To be more accurate, it is a proprietary DVD drive, from my understanding. I.e., it won't read standard DVDs, only specially encoded ones (Wii games, GCN games [which are proprietary mini-DVDs]).

 

no as far as i know they are regular mini dvds with data written backwards similar to xbox and drive firmware determines they direction the laser reads outside to inside or vice versa
so technically its not a proprietary drive just software if its anything like a gamecube or xbox
which is good that means firmware official or otherwise could unlock dvd functionality
if it was a proprietary drive the dvd option might not be built in at all to mod with firmware
which would be bad, also it could possibly use its on disc format and backups of future wii titles might never happen but thats a lot of speculation and getting into the category of wii hacking so il stop there
so far it look like il have to wait for my wii to come in to find answers to these questions unless someone has some insider info
any body here dismantled a wii yet, the ps3 already has been

 

Loading screens are inevitable but on the Gamecube, some of the loading times on some Nintendo games were non existant. It's the third party games that still show the loading times. BRING BACK CART SYSTEMS I SAY. Just kidding. Anyways, I was reading something about Sonic Solutions might bring out a new model of the Wii that will play DVDs in the later half of next year. I'm guessing it'll be like the Panasonic Q where it will be a limited run.

 

The DVD's spin the same way as any other machine (including DVD players), but the laser reads from the outer track to the inner ones, like an LP instead of inner - out like a CD. At least that's how I understand it, from everything I've read

 

didnt they just confirm they will be releasing a dvd play for us versions as well.

anyone know if this only includes a software upgrade or an actual unit upgrade? I want to buy the wii now, but it would be nice to have dvd playback