Wii and HomeBrewChannel

So, HomeBrew Channel – please mind that I am reading up and commenting back – I haven’t actually tested if this works yet 😉

A channel is an icon on the Wii starting screen, and HomeBrewChannel (“HBC”) is adding such a channel that gives you access to HomeBrew applications. HomeBrew is a fair pick of a word as it’s home made stuff, which is not officially authorized and can come in any quality from professional/commercial to pure rubbish.

The obvious starting point for reading up is HERE

The law
So, naturally Nintendo didn’t intent us to use the equipment we purchased in a manner they do not approve of. It’s not only unauthorized, they are trying their best to prevent it from happening. If somebody claims it’s illegal, then rest assure in most jurisdictions it’s not. Actively bypassing protections schemes to be able to copy a game might be, but to do it to install a custom DVD player is for sure not no mater how hard a hoard of Nintendo lawyers will tell you something else. Please mind that legislation works; you have the actual legislation but nothing there in any law says you cannot fiddle with your Wii. NOTHING! However something in your local law can establish a principle of enforcing mechanisms that impose limitations of usage and the Nintendo lawyer will say it is applicable for the case. Even a pretty lousy lawyer would be able to state that this is obviously a clear case.

System Updates
The menu system of the Wii is software. Some games requite a revision of the system software that is newer than a certain revision. Nothing more strange than that a PC program cannot run on Win95 and ME but only later ones, or need DirectX 9 or later. Games can seemingly enforce updates for you, presumably only if the unit is Internet connected.

Any hack of the system software is logically eradicated from the system if it’s updated. It’s not supposed to be there, to there is no reason to ensure that it stayed if Nintendo didn’t want it there in the first place.

So there are two things to know;
– How to install, and
– What to install

Installation
Depending on the system you have, you need different methods to perform the installations. The installer uses loopholes in the system to allow to be installed. Loopholes are shut per the Nintendo updates, why new need to be found for newer versions.

From what I read, if you have a recent system (which at the time of writing seem to be Version 4.2 – I have 4.2E where E is for Europe. It’s visible under Wii Options and then Wii Settings – top right corner) the best solution is to install the Bannerbomb Version 2, which is the mean to facilitate the installation of the program that will enable HomeBrew.

What you then install is the HackMii package. Current version is 0.6. Bannerbomb installations guide asks you to install it with the HackMii package described below. Installation guide is here

HackMii contains three parts;
* BootMii – Current version: public beta 4 This is the piece that allows a nice set of features. It can make a safety copy of the system memory so that it can be restored and also facilitates the activation of the HomebrewChannel. The program is nicely presented here, and it’s pointless for me to repeat that very comprehensive text.
* The Homebrew Channel 1.0.6 – is a self-updating homebrew application loader by Team Twiizers which allows users to load homebrew applications without having to run an exploit every time. Once installed, users can access the channel from the Wii System Menu just like any other Wii channel. It can launch or install homebrew applications from an SD or SDHC card or via TCP/USB Gecko using Wiiload.
* DVDX v2 – Installs a hidden “channel” which can be used by other homebrew applications to access home burned and factory pressed DVD content without the need for a modchip. This does not modify any IOS in any way, making it very safe

A nice read with screen illustrations can also be found here

So, you have read this far and have come to the conclusion that it’s doable (right you are) but think “Why do it?”. Some are into the sport of proving it could be done. Assuming you are the kind that need a bit more tangible use in order to spend a night on getting this to work, then the answer is to run Homebrew applications. There is actually a fairly impressive range of stuff available that turns your Wii into a much more versatile machine that you found it to be out of the box.

A list of relevant software is here

Extra reading
CompleteSoftmodGuide – It looks most complete. Lots to read, and not to that you necessarily are interested in all of it, even if you are interested in the topic.

For the dare devils of you. Can’t recommend this. It’s playing with fire for real! HERE