Homebrew Channel: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox VG
{{Infobox VG
|image       = [[File:Homebrew_Channel.png|300px]]
|image     = [[File:Homebrew_Channel.png|300px]]
|developer  = Team Twiizers
|publisher  = Team Twiizers
|released    = {{vgrelease|AUS=April 2, 2008}}{{vgrelease|EU=April 2, 2008}}{{vgrelease|NA=April 2, 2008}}{{vgrelease|JP=April 2, 2008}}
|genre      = Utility
|modes      = Single-player
|channeltype = Downloadable (third party)
|channeltype = Downloadable (third party)
|input       = Wii Remote, Wii Remote + Nunchuk, Classic Controller, GameCube Controller, Guitar Controller
|developer = Team Twiizers
|forumlink   = http://forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-wii-channel-homebrew-channel
|released  = April 2, 2008
|genre    = Utility
|input     = Wii Remote, Wii Remote + Nunchuk, Classic Controller, GameCube Controller, Guitar Controller
|forumlink = http://forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-wii-channel-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 Channels|Wii Channel]] on the [[Wii 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 '''''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 Channels|Wii Channel]] on the [[Wii Menu]]. When launched, it displays a list of applications found on an SD card or USB drive. The user then selects an application to launch by using a Wii Remote or GameCube controller. It also accepts application uploads via a USB Gecko or TCP/IP (over Wi-Fi 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.
The functionality provided by the Homebrew Channel is provided by Dolphin directly, so the HBC is not needed (except to work around Dolphin's broken Wii homebrew detection in some cases).


<!-- The traps to prevent the HBC from working on Dolphin were put in place a long time ago, apparently between 3.0 and 3.5. Until someone tests all of the HBC versions in Dolphin and allows this page to go into full detail, it will focus on the latest version: which does not boot. Accordingly, this makes it 1 star in the ratings template and version compatibility. -->
== Emulation Information ==
=== Pre-1.1.3 Black Screen ===
The developers of the Homebrew Channel had [https://forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-homebrew-channel-installation?pid=310212#pid310212 placed traps into the program] to prevent the Homebrew Channel from loading in Dolphin. There are other problems in pre-1.1.3 versions, which won't be documented here. The 1.1.3 release of the Homebrew Channel, which is now open source, has removed the anti-Dolphin code.


== Problems ==
== Problems ==
{{Problems|type=channel|{{#vardefineecho:problems|
=== Networking ===
Network initialization never completes.


=== Blackscreen ===
=== Direct3D ===
The developers of the Homebrew Channel have [https://forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-homebrew-channel-installation?pid=310212#pid310212 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.
Using Direct3D with XFB enabled will cause the screen go black, but the app stills work normally otherwise. Use OpenGL to solve this.


=== 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.


== Configuration ==
== Configuration ==
<!--A full list of options is available at Template:Config/doc-->
{{Config
{{Config
|type = channel
|gfxbackend      = OpenGL
|gfxbackendnotes = Display output
}}
}}


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<!--Use this template for compatibility entries: {{VersionCompatibilityVersion|revision|****|notes}}-->
<!--Use this template for compatibility entries: {{VersionCompatibilityVersion|revision|****|notes}}-->
{{VersionCompatibilityVersion|7598|*|}}
{{VersionCompatibilityVersion|7598|*|}}
{{VersionCompatibilityVersion|5.0-1399|****|Marcan's fixes to IOS and IPC HLE}}
{{VersionCompatibilityVersion|5.0-5874|****|XFB tweaks should no longer be needed to launch apps}}
{{VersionCompatibilityClose}}
{{VersionCompatibilityClose}}


== Testing ==
== Testing ==
{{testing/start|type=channel}}
{{testing/start}}
<!--Use this template for test entries: {{testing/entry|revision=|OS=|CPU=|GPU=|result=|tester=}}-->
<!--Use this template for test entries: {{testing/entry|revision=|OS=|CPU=|GPU=|result=|tester=}}-->
{{testing/entry|revision=7598|OS=Windows 7|CPU=Intel Quad Core Xeon @ 2.8GHz|GPU=ATI Radeon HD 5770|result=All issues in the Problems section are present.|tester=SephirothFanatic}}
{{testing/entry|revision=7598|OS=Windows 7|CPU=Intel Quad Core Xeon @ 2.8GHz|GPU=ATI Radeon HD 5770|result=All issues in the Problems section are present.|tester=SephirothFanatic}}
{{testing/entry|revision=3.0|OS=Windows 7|CPU=Intel Quad Core Xeon @ 2.8GHz|GPU=ATI Radeon HD 5770|result=All issues in the Problems section are present.|tester=SephirothFanatic}}
{{testing/entry|revision=3.0|OS=Windows 7|CPU=Intel Quad Core Xeon @ 2.8GHz|GPU=ATI Radeon HD 5770|result=All issues in the Problems section are present.|tester=SephirothFanatic}}
{{testing/entry|revision=3.0-376|OS=Windows 7|CPU=Intel Quad Core Xeon @ 2.8GHz|GPU=ATI Radeon HD 5770|result=Starts and runs normally, except when reloading or exiting with the Home button.|tester=SephirothFanatic}}
{{testing/entry|revision=3.0-376|OS=Windows 7|CPU=Intel Quad Core Xeon @ 2.8GHz|GPU=ATI Radeon HD 5770|result=Starts and runs normally, except when reloading or exiting with the Home button.|tester=SephirothFanatic}}
{{testing/entry|revision=5.0-1422|OS=Linux (Debian sid)|CPU=Intel Core i5-4210H @ 3.5GHz|GPU=NVIDIA GeForce GT 940|result=Everything works (including launching homebrew, returning to Wii menu, shutting down) except networking.|tester=Léo}}
{{testing/entry|revision=5.0-2742|OS=Windows 7|CPU=Intel Celeron G1610 @ 2.6GHz|GPU=Intel HD Graphics|result=With D3D and XFB disabled looks normal but cannot launch homebrew; enabling XFB to real made it look black, but didn't crash. Using OGL and XFB to real seems to work normally, except for network.|tester=EblfIYH}}
{{testing/entry|revision=5.0-3951|OS=Windows 10|CPU=Intel Celeron G1610 @ 2.6GHz|GPU=Intel HD Graphics|result=Now, it crashes with D3D. OpenGL still work|tester=EblfIYH}}
{{testing/entry|revision=5.0-3965|OS=Windows 10|CPU=Intel Celeron G1610 @ 2.6GHz|GPU=Intel HD Graphics|result=D3D works again, with the same problems|tester=EblfIYH}}
{{testing/end}}
{{testing/end}}


== Gameplay Videos ==
== Gameplay Videos ==
<!--A full list of options is available at Template:VideoGallery/doc-->
{{VideoGallery
}}


[[Category:Wii Channels]]
[[Category:Wii Channels]]

Revision as of 23:04, 31 July 2018

Homebrew Channel
Homebrew Channel.png
Type Downloadable (third party)
Developer(s) Team Twiizers
Platform(s) Wii Channels
Release date(s) April 2, 2008
Genre(s) Utility
Input methods Wii Remote, Wii Remote + Nunchuk, Classic Controller, GameCube Controller, Guitar Controller
Compatibility 4Stars4.pngEdit rating: Homebrew Channel
Playable
GameIDs
See also...

Dolphin Forum thread
Open Issues
Search Google
Search Wikipedia

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 Menu. When launched, it displays a list of applications found on an SD card or USB drive. The user then selects an application to launch by using a Wii Remote or GameCube controller. It also accepts application uploads via a USB Gecko or TCP/IP (over Wi-Fi 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 (except to work around Dolphin's broken Wii homebrew detection in some cases).

Emulation Information

Pre-1.1.3 Black Screen

The developers of the Homebrew Channel had placed traps into the program to prevent the Homebrew Channel from loading in Dolphin. There are other problems in pre-1.1.3 versions, which won't be documented here. The 1.1.3 release of the Homebrew Channel, which is now open source, has removed the anti-Dolphin code.

Problems

Networking

Network initialization never completes.

Direct3D

Using Direct3D with XFB enabled will cause the screen go black, but the app stills work normally otherwise. Use OpenGL to solve this.

Configuration

Only configuration options for the best compatibility where they deviate from defaults are listed.

Graphics

Config Setting Notes
Video Backend OpenGL Display output

Version Compatibility

The graph below charts the compatibility with Homebrew Channel since Dolphin's 2.0 release, listing revisions only where a compatibility change occurred.

Δ
5.0-21270 (current)
Δ
Δ
Δ
Δ
Δ
2.0 (r5384)
Compatibility can be assumed to align with the indicated revisions. However, compatibility may extend to prior revisions or compatibility gaps may exist within ranges indicated as compatible due to limited testing. Please update as appropriate.

Testing

This channel has been tested on the environments listed below:

Test Entries
Revision OS CPU GPU Result Tester
r7598 Windows 7 Intel Quad Core Xeon @ 2.8GHz ATI Radeon HD 5770 All issues in the Problems section are present. SephirothFanatic
3.0 Windows 7 Intel Quad Core Xeon @ 2.8GHz ATI Radeon HD 5770 All issues in the Problems section are present. SephirothFanatic
3.0-376 Windows 7 Intel Quad Core Xeon @ 2.8GHz ATI Radeon HD 5770 Starts and runs normally, except when reloading or exiting with the Home button. SephirothFanatic
5.0-1422 Linux (Debian sid) Intel Core i5-4210H @ 3.5GHz NVIDIA GeForce GT 940 Everything works (including launching homebrew, returning to Wii menu, shutting down) except networking. Léo
5.0-2742 Windows 7 Intel Celeron G1610 @ 2.6GHz Intel HD Graphics With D3D and XFB disabled looks normal but cannot launch homebrew; enabling XFB to real made it look black, but didn't crash. Using OGL and XFB to real seems to work normally, except for network. EblfIYH
5.0-3951 Windows 10 Intel Celeron G1610 @ 2.6GHz Intel HD Graphics Now, it crashes with D3D. OpenGL still work EblfIYH
5.0-3965 Windows 10 Intel Celeron G1610 @ 2.6GHz Intel HD Graphics D3D works again, with the same problems EblfIYH

Gameplay Videos