Pro Logic II Is Back For Wii

Much like the Gamecube before it, the Wii will not support Dolby Digital, but instead support Pro Logic II.

From IGN: "Official Wii documentation supplied to development studios confirms that Nintendo's new console will be physically unable to output audio in Dolby Digital surround sound. This omission has nothing to do with Wii's horsepower and everything to do with the machine's lack of an optical output.

"Optical digital output is not supported," reads official Wii documentation supplied to studios creating games for Nintendo's new consoles.

There is a single proprietary audio/video jack on Wii and users have the option to plug in different cables depending on their preference. According to developer documentation, Wii owners will be able to insert a composite, S-video or component audio/video cable into the jack, but all three come standard with stereo left and right channel audio cables.

This latest news coincides with showings of Wii software at the Electronics Entertainment Expo 2006. All demoed Wii games were running in Dolby Pro Logic II, the same audio standard employed by GameCube. Dolby Pro Logic II uses a matrix to simulate 5.1 surround sound and many studios have used the alternative to true aural separation for some impressive listening results.

It's important to note that the Wii hardware is not final and therefore a Dolby Digital solution could still surface in the months to come, but that being true, it's not encouraging that official documentation seems to dismiss the option.

More as it develops."

src: IGN

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