Homebrew Channel

The Homebrew Channel is a homebrew application loader by Team Twiizers which allows users to load homebrew applications without having to run the Twilight Hack every time. Once installed, users can access the channel from the Wii Menu just like any other Wii channel. It is currently capable of running homebrew applications from an SD card, a USB Gecko, or via TCP. It is also capable of providing online updates for itself and the applications that it runs.

It is available for download here: http://hbc.hackmii.com

Installation

Assuming the Twilight Hack is already installed on your Wii;

1. Download the installer from the link above.
2. Place the installer file on the root of your SD card.
3. Rename the file to boot.elf
4. Run the Twilight Hack, and allow the installer to load.
5. READ THE DISCLAIMER! In the very unlikely case your Wii should be bricked by the installer, this will let you know where you stand in regards to Team Twiizers.
6. Press the RESET button on your Wii.

The installation should be automatic from this point on, and your Wii will reboot.

Configuring Applications

In order to make an application appear in the Homebrew Channel, the following steps must be taken:

1. Make a folder on the root of your SD card called "apps."
2. In the folder "apps," create a folder for the application (for this example, ScummVM will be used).
3. Copy the files for the application into its folder (e.g. apps/scummvm/).
4. Find the executable file (either .elf or .dol) and rename it to boot.elf (or boot.dol if it was a .dol file) if it is not already named that (e.g. apps/scummvm/boot.dol).

Now the application will appear in the Homebrew Channel. However, its appearance on the menu is sloppy, and it's therefore difficult to distinguish it from other applications. To fix this, text and an image can be added.

Adding Text

To add text to an application in the Homebrew Channel, do the following:

1. Make a file in the folder of the application (e.g. apps/scummvm/) called "meta.xml" (e.g. apps/scummvm/meta.xml).
2. Open "meta.xml" in Notepad and add the following text as a template:

 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>
 <app version="1">
   <name></name>
   <coder></coder>
   <version></version>
   <release_date></release_date>
   <short_description></short_description>
   <long_description></long_description>
 </app>

1. Add the appropriate information in between the relevant indicators. For example, the name of the application goes between <name> and </name>. The purpose of each field is as follows:

 *Name: The name of the application
 *Coder: The name of the person or group that wrote the code for the program.
 *Version: The version of the application.
 *Release_date: The data the application was released.
 *Short_description: This is displayed on the main menu of the Homebrew Channel (before you select an application) and is used as a space to add a few words to describe the program.
 *Long_description: This is displayed once the application is chosen. It describes the program and its function in great detail and can be used to elaborate on a program's controls.

An example of a completed "meta.xml" for ScummVM is provided below:

 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>
 <app version="1">
   <name>ScummVM</name>
   <coder>dhewg</coder>
   <version>rev32231</version>
   <release_date>200805230000</release_date>
   <short_description>Point & Click Adventures</short_description>
   <long_description>ScummVM is a program which allows you to run certain classic graphical point-and-click adventure games, provided you already have their data files. The clever part about this: ScummVM just replaces the executables shipped with the games, allowing you to play them on systems for which they were never designed!
   Some of the adventures ScummVM supports include Adventure Soft's Simon the Sorcerer 1 and 2; Revolution's Beneath A Steel Sky, Broken Sword 1 and Broken Sword 2; Flight of the Amazon Queen; Wyrmkeep's Inherit the Earth; Coktel Vision's Gobliiins; Westwood Studios' The Legend of Kyrandia and games based on LucasArts' SCUMM (Script Creation Utility for Maniac Mansion) system such as Monkey Island, Day of the Tentacle, Sam and Max and more.</long_description>
 </app>

Adding an Icon

To add an icon for an application to be seen on the Homebrew Channel, take the icon you wish to use and convert it to a 128x48 .png format image. Then copy it into the folder of the application under the name "icon.png" (e.g. apps/scummvm/icon.png).

Removal

1. Removing the channel can be done with the channel management in the Wii system software.

Known bugs

• Pressing reset doesn't work
• Returning to the Wii Systemmenu doesn't work
• Network doesn't work when a something is inserted into the GCMemcard slot

FAQ

• The SD access of some emus/... doesn't when loaded through the HBC!

Those emus/... are using a bugged version, bug the authors to fix it, it's not the fault of the HBC!

• Network doesn't work, why?

Remove anything from the GC-Memcard ports and it should work.

• The IP displayed is different from the one in the Wii settings!

This is just a visual bug, the string is just cut.

• Will this void my Wii's warranty?

Yes.

• Will future updates break the HBC or even brick my Wii ?

If they just fix the sign bug, the HBC still will work, but you won't be able to install it.

BUT(!) you can never be sure, when a new update comes out be sure to check the wiki or other websites before updating!!!

• Do SDHC or >2GB SD cards work ?

No, this is currently limited by Starlet(IOS), and won't come soon.

• How much space does the chan need ?

22 blocks, ~3mB

• What's up with the Wiimote pointer ?

Intentional live with it.

• Does the HBC leave traces in the system if uninstalled ?

Yes, with current methods not everything is removed, ie play history...

• The HBC could totally need feature XZY !!

Yes, maybe ... we don't care.