Author Topic: Wii component cables & 480p (Read 4536 times)

bleemus · « **on:** December 06, 2006, 06:24:48 pm »

Just got in my Wii component cables I ordered from nintendo.com. Only took a little over a week to get them, so if you are waiting for them to come into stores, just go to nintendo.com and see if they are still in stock!

As you would expect, it looks a great deal more sharp and clear... but this is almost a detriment on the "rendered polygon" (or whatever they are) graphics. When I was using composite, everything was blurry; and the sharp, jagged edges on the Mii characters and on other things (like the bowling pins in Wii Sports) weren't as noticeable. These blocky edges jump right out at you with the better detail the component cable provides.

I'm sure I'll get used to it. The good things about the upgrade are increased brightness and contrast, and just in general detail. I just wish most of the stuff was anti-aliased by the hardware a bit... I guess you can't expect that for $250! It is still a real neat device though, I'm glad I bought it.

Anyone else using the component cables yet? Thoughts?

sphetr2 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 06, 2006, 06:52:14 pm »

Was thinking about getting some for my HDTV, but after hearing your thoughts on it, I'm reconsidering. $:-\$

shmokes · « **Reply #2 on:** December 06, 2006, 06:54:48 pm »

I don't have a Wii, but I know that when I eventually do have one I will absolutely be using component cables.

For anyone curious about what kind of improvement they can expect check out these comparison shots courtesy of Gamespot:

http://www.gamespot.com/features/6162297/p-2.html

The initial image is using composite cables. Mouse over (you might have to wait a few seconds for the pic to load) to see the same pic using component cables. The difference is huge.

I saw some comparison shots that someone else did that work the same way showing different games, like Wii Bowling, for example, but I can't find it now. Anyway, same thing there. With the composite cables the bowling pins kind of blurred together, but with component they were quite defined.

jeffo · « **Reply #3 on:** December 06, 2006, 07:06:07 pm »

lol wtf, the banana blitz cart changes color with component cables haha

Quote from: shmokes on December 06, 2006, 06:54:48 pm

I don't have a Wii, but I know that when I eventually do have one I will absolutely be using component cables.

For anyone curious about what kind of improvement they can expect check out these comparison shots courtesy of Gamespot:

http://www.gamespot.com/features/6162297/p-2.html

The initial image is using composite cables. Mouse over (you might have to wait a few seconds for the pic to load) to see the same pic using component cables. The difference is huge.

I saw some comparison shots that someone else did that work the same way showing different games, like Wii Bowling, for example, but I can't find it now. Anyway, same thing there. With the composite cables the bowling pins kind of blurred together, but with component they were quite defined.

ChadTower · « **Reply #4 on:** December 06, 2006, 07:15:29 pm »

That has to be simulated. Component and the like are analog signals, so screenshots wouldn't be pure as they are represented. And we all know you can't take a clear still picture of a CRT. Or of an LCD for the most part.

AlanS17 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 07, 2006, 12:01:49 am »

Quote from: ChadTower on December 06, 2006, 07:15:29 pm

That has to be simulated. Component and the like are analog signals, so screenshots wouldn't be pure as they are represented. And we all know you can't take a clear still picture of a CRT.

Actually, you can take a picture of a CRT if you have the sync matched (or if you get smart and use a 35mm camera).

That being said, there's still a good chance that these screenshots are simulated.

lcddream · « **Reply #6 on:** December 07, 2006, 12:33:07 am »

i have component cables and a 43" lcd rear projection.

the comparison simulated or not, is accurate.

looks great with 480p btw...would not go back to composite...ever

shmokes · « **Reply #7 on:** December 07, 2006, 01:25:42 am »

I don't think it's simulated. There are differences, and Gamespot obviously has all the equipment they would possibly need to take screenshots of every kind. If it were simulated I don't see any reason to have subtle differences, like the fairy being in a different spot, or the car thing changing colors in Monkey Ball. And why would Gamespot want to simulate that, anyway? They have no stake in component cables.

Anyway, for all I know it's a simple matter of pulling out one cable and plugging in the other mid-game, which would explain how they got link into exactly the same position in each shot (but not the fairy).

AlanS17 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 07, 2006, 08:04:36 am »

Quote from: shmokes on December 07, 2006, 01:25:42 am

I don't think it's simulated. There are differences, and Gamespot obviously has all the equipment they would possibly need to take screenshots of every kind. If it were simulated I don't see any reason to have subtle differences, like the fairy being in a different spot, or the car thing changing colors in Monkey Ball. And why would Gamespot want to simulate that, anyway? They have no stake in component cables.

Anyway, for all I know it's a simple matter of pulling out one cable and plugging in the other mid-game, which would explain how they got link into exactly the same position in each shot (but not the fairy).

All valid points. Can I change my vote? It's probably real.

hypernova · « **Reply #9 on:** December 07, 2006, 09:51:36 pm »

Quote

These blocky edges jump right out at you with the better detail the component cable provides.

One thing you'll need to do is get back from the tv.

somunny · « **Reply #10 on:** December 07, 2006, 10:10:20 pm »

It's my understanding that the third party cables can toggle between composite and component. Could be handy if you want to do a Pepsi Challenge.

I have the first party component cables. Can't really give an opinion though as I ordered them a week before the Wii launched and never had it hooked up with the included cable.

lcddream · « **Reply #11 on:** December 07, 2006, 10:11:04 pm »

Quote from: AlanS17 on December 07, 2006, 08:04:36 am

All valid points. Can I change my vote? It's probably real.

nope. sorry its in.

tetsu96 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 07, 2006, 10:59:01 pm »

Yeah, definately a huge difference from composite to component. They don't have S-Video for the Wii though? Not a huge difference from S-Video to Component (well, until you go HD but it's very close on non-HD sets... much more than composite - svid or component).

bleemus · « **Reply #13 on:** December 08, 2006, 11:59:45 am »

Quote from: hypernova on December 07, 2006, 09:51:36 pm

Quote
These blocky edges jump right out at you with the better detail the component cable provides.

One thing you'll need to do is get back from the tv.

Wish I could... the cursor jumps around quite a bit if I sit on my couch which is about 12 feet from the 50 inch DLP. The manual says 3-8ft for good reception.

shmokes · « **Reply #14 on:** December 08, 2006, 12:20:12 pm »

That's interesting. Since you're talking about the cursor behaving erratically I assume that it's the pointer functionality and not the bluetooth giving you range problems (12 feet should not be a problem for bluetooth). You should consider building some IR emitters with a stronger output. Or, maybe, you could get a couple of candles and put them on the coffee table between the sofa and TV while you're playing. Candles apparently emit infrared light at almost the exact same intensity or whatever and the Wii remote works perfectly when you substitute the sensor bar with candles.

versapak · « **Reply #15 on:** December 08, 2006, 12:51:43 pm »

Quote from: bleemus on December 08, 2006, 11:59:45 am

Quote from: hypernova on December 07, 2006, 09:51:36 pm
Quote
These blocky edges jump right out at you with the better detail the component cable provides.

One thing you'll need to do is get back from the tv.

Wish I could... the cursor jumps around quite a bit if I sit on my couch which is about 12 feet from the 50 inch DLP. The manual says 3-8ft for good reception.

Interesting.

Where do you have your sensor bar located?

I have mine right above my TV, and it works just fine from that far back.

bleemus · « **Reply #16 on:** December 08, 2006, 02:53:03 pm »

I have mine on top of my TV.

I calibrated my sensitivity higher and that made it a bit better, but it is still "jittery" when I sit on the couch. The reaction is much smoother when in the 3-8ft range.

I may look into trying some other things to make it better, but I usually just sit in a chair like I do when I play guitar hero II (darn wired controllers...)

I haven't played any games that require the pointing yet (waiting to finish FFXII before I start playing Zelda), but the menu and typing onscreen can be a bit of a paint with the jitters.

versapak · « **Reply #17 on:** December 08, 2006, 04:16:28 pm »

Might it just be a case of batteries being low?

One thing Nintendo really dropped the ball on (IMO of course) is the lack of a rechargable controller.

Sure we can just use rechargable batteries, but the Xbox 360 and PS3 both allow for charging of the controller directly, which is an extremely nice feature.

ChadTower · « **Reply #18 on:** December 08, 2006, 04:21:19 pm »

I wasn't saying component signal won't be better - it will be. But I still think the image is simulated.

Gamespot absolutely has a stake. They have the stake that they are a (direct or indirect) marketing partner of the three console makers as well as any given game maker. They may be mostly unbiased, though being in this field I do not believe that is even possible, but if they want certain exclusives/previews/etc then they make as nice as the involved company wants them to be.

And right now there is only one maker of Wii component cables. So it would make them happy to have nice cut and dry "buy the component dumbass" advertising out there.

That's just how large indirect revenue generating websites work. That is the business model.

NickG · « **Reply #19 on:** December 08, 2006, 10:31:22 pm »

Why would they go through the trouble of properly simulating the differences of the signals instead of just capturing them?

versapak · « **Reply #20 on:** December 09, 2006, 10:46:21 am »

Quote from: ChadTower on December 08, 2006, 04:21:19 pm

I wasn't saying component signal won't be better - it will be. But I still think the image is simulated.

Gamespot absolutely has a stake. They have the stake that they are a (direct or indirect) marketing partner of the three console makers as well as any given game maker. They may be mostly unbiased, though being in this field I do not believe that is even possible, but if they want certain exclusives/previews/etc then they make as nice as the involved company wants them to be.

And right now there is only one maker of Wii component cables. So it would make them happy to have nice cut and dry "buy the component dumbass" advertising out there.

That's just how large indirect revenue generating websites work. That is the business model.

Simulated or not, the actual difference is pretty exact to what those pictures are representing.

Someone else has already attested to that, and I can do so as well. At least the difference going from 480i composite to 480p component IS that much anyway.

[EDIT]

..and for the record...

I did not buy the component cables. I made my own out of the cable that came with the Wii.

RTSDaddy2 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 10, 2006, 01:49:59 pm »

Found the component cables at Best Buy today near where I live. Two sets - one was $20, the other $60. Fool that I am, I think I got conned into buying the $60 version, but I will say this ...the visuals are far sharper with the component than with the composite cable included.

shmokes · « **Reply #22 on:** December 11, 2006, 12:54:58 am »

Quote from: RTSDaddy2 on December 10, 2006, 01:49:59 pm

. . . I think I got conned into buying the $60 version . . .

Heh . . . you're not sure whether you paid $20 or $60?

RTSDaddy2 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 14, 2006, 10:13:25 pm »

Geez shmokes....

ANYWAY, I made the mistake of asking the helpful salesperson which he would recommend, and OF COURSE he said the $60 version...so being an idiot, I went with that.

Our TV, for whatever reason, has great resolution to begin with - I think the $20 cable would have probably given the same amount of clarity, but of course I didn't think about that at the time.

AlanS17 · « **Reply #24 on:** December 14, 2006, 10:20:04 pm »

While I conceed there is probably a difference between a $2 cable and a $20 cable, I can't imagine a great quality increase between a $20 cable and a $60 cable.

RTSDaddy2 · « **Reply #25 on:** December 15, 2006, 04:06:43 am »

Thanks Alan - just don't tell the little woman....she don't know I screwed this one up.

MustardTent · « **Reply #26 on:** December 15, 2006, 01:44:39 pm »

I ordered a component video cable from Nintendo recently -- yesterday I received two.

Checked the card I used for payment -- only one charge on it. Also, the invoice in the second box said "reprint" at the top, so it looks like I simply got two cables.

I'd like to give the second set of cables to somebody on this site for free (except for the shipping cost), but I'm wondering if I shouldn't go to the trouble of informing them about this.

Also, I'm wondering if they'll contact me as well.

Thoughts?

ChadTower · « **Reply #27 on:** December 15, 2006, 01:58:53 pm »

Keep it. They effed up in your favor. Consider it karma for an instance of getting charged twice for an item you received once.

In general, there usually is very little difference between the $20 and $60 cable. Now, the $60 cable and the $150 cable will have a difference but you have to have the $5000 display to see it.

The $2 cable usually falls apart before you get 5 feet from the TV.

AlanS17 · « **Reply #28 on:** December 15, 2006, 11:37:45 pm »

Quote from: MustardTent on December 15, 2006, 01:44:39 pm

I ordered a component video cable from Nintendo recently -- yesterday I received two.

Checked the card I used for payment -- only one charge on it. Also, the invoice in the second box said "reprint" at the top, so it looks like I simply got two cables.

I'd like to give the second set of cables to somebody on this site for free (except for the shipping cost), but I'm wondering if I shouldn't go to the trouble of informing them about this.

Also, I'm wondering if they'll contact me as well.

Thoughts?

I'll very gladly take that second set of cables if you're interested in paying it forward.

shmokes · « **Reply #29 on:** December 16, 2006, 01:28:48 am »

I vote that AlanS not only doesn't get the cable, but also is beaten over the head with his Wii for bringing up that piece of trash of a movie

AlanS17 · « **Reply #30 on:** December 16, 2006, 01:32:57 am »

Quote from: shmokes on December 16, 2006, 01:28:48 am

I vote that AlanS not only doesn't get the cable, but also is beaten over the head with his Wii for bringing up that piece of trash of a movie

LOL oh come on. It wasn't THAT bad.

shmokes · « **Reply #31 on:** December 16, 2006, 01:55:56 am »

Far, far worse.

NickG · « **Reply #32 on:** December 16, 2006, 06:53:43 am »

Is that movie, which I haven't seen, the origination of the context "Pay it forward"?

MustardTent · « **Reply #33 on:** December 16, 2006, 10:03:11 am »

Quote from: AlanS17 on December 15, 2006, 11:37:45 pm

Quote from: MustardTent on December 15, 2006, 01:44:39 pm
I ordered a component video cable from Nintendo recently -- yesterday I received two.

Checked the card I used for payment -- only one charge on it. Also, the invoice in the second box said "reprint" at the top, so it looks like I simply got two cables.

I'd like to give the second set of cables to somebody on this site for free (except for the shipping cost), but I'm wondering if I shouldn't go to the trouble of informing them about this.

Also, I'm wondering if they'll contact me as well.

Thoughts?
I'll very gladly take that second set of cables if you're interested in paying it forward.

They're yours. Just PM me when you're available.

And as far as trashy movies go: Never, ever underestimate the awesome power of "Death Becomes Her".

If AlanS17 were to mention that movie, I believe that I may give the cables to my dog as her new chew-toy.

MustardTent · « **Reply #34 on:** December 16, 2006, 04:40:41 pm »

Shipped to AlanS17.


Main	Restorations	Software	Audio/Jukebox/MP3	Everything Else	Buy/Sell/Trade
Project Announcements	Monitor/Video	GroovyMAME	Merit/JVL Touchscreen	Meet Up	Retail Vendors
Driving & Racing	Woodworking	Software Support Forums	Consoles	Project Arcade	Reviews
Automated Projects	Artwork	Frontend Support Forums	Pinball	Forum Discussion	Old Boards
Raspberry Pi & Dev Board	controls.dat	Linux	Miscellaneous Arcade	Wiki Discussion	Old Archives
Lightguns	Arcade1Up	Try the site in https mode		Site News


Unread posts \| New Replies \| Recent posts \| Rules \| Chatroom \| Wiki \| File Repository \| RSS \| Submit news