Homebrew Channel

The Homebrew Channel is a freeware homebrew application loader that was developed to provide a way of easily running unofficial software on the Wii console. Once installed, it appears as a standard Wii Channel on the Wii System Menu. When launched, it displays a list of applications found on an SD card or USB drive. The user then select an application to launch by using a Wii Remote or the GameCube controller. It also accepts application uploads via a USB Gecko or TCP/IP (over WiFi or Ethernet), which allows for quick application testing during development. When launched from the Wii Menu, the Homebrew Channel will check for updates to itself and automatically download them if the user chooses to do so.

The functionality provided by the Homebrew Channel is provided by Dolphin directly, so the HBC is not needed.

Blackscreen
The developers of the Homebrew Channel have placed traps into the program specifically to prevent the HBC from loading in Dolphin. All versions of the HBC launched after the traps were put into place will show a blackscreen. The version in which the traps were first put into place is unknown, but there have been no recorded instances of the HBC booting since before Dolphin 3.5.

Unable to Install/Load Homebrew
In versions of the Homebrew Channel created before the traps were put into place, the HBC will start and load; but it will be unable to install or load any homebrew.

Home Button Reset Hang
Starting the Homebrew Channel, then reloading through the Home button may cause Dolphin to hang up randomly.