Author Topic: First Wii modchip to ship Feb 1st (Read 5791 times)

Hoagie_one · « **on:** January 27, 2007, 10:12:25 am »

http://www.emuboards.com/invision/index.php?showtopic=28112

That didn't take long.

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #1 on:** January 27, 2007, 10:32:45 am »

I sure wouldn't get one.

You see there isn't any homebrew for the wii yet (nobody knows how it works) so other than pirating games, it is completely useless.

Once developers have this modchip for a while they will probably find a better way to run homebrew. It is a long shot, but they might even determine a software solution.

On top of that, some guys have figured out how to flash the dvd drive of the wii by soldering on a simple serial port connector. Since this chip apparenty uses one of the known gamecube drive exploits, which basically uses, the wii's serial port to disable region locks on the dvd drive, you would be paying 35-50 bucks for a chip that does the same thing a 2 dollar serial cable will be able to do.

You have to solder on 5 wires in both cases, so it'd be the same difference, save you'd have to hook the wii up to your computer and flash it. So basically the best thing to do right now is wait. In a few weeks all kinds of alternatives are going to be out.

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #2 on:** January 27, 2007, 12:32:45 pm »

Boy, you sure have a way to bring something down. All the time.

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #3 on:** January 27, 2007, 04:57:49 pm »

Oh yeah it's a real "downer" when I tell you that you'll be able to save yourself 50 bucks and do the same mod virtually for free. Next time I'll just tell you to go buy one and laugh wildy as I spend my 50 bucks on the newest wii title.

Perhaps you are a bit disappointed that you didn't get 30 or so "awww man diz IZ UBER L337 COOL" replies, but while a mod chip is a step in the right direction for homebrew, I'll bet that most people agree with me in that it's a tad bit early to order a modchip when it can't do anything yet. On top of that this is old news. It's been on the wii sites for at least three days and we even started talking about it in this very forum two days ago.

If giving people the whole story and telling the god's honest truth is a downer to you then maybe you are a bit pessimistic. I thought that the news that the mod chip won't be needed is an "upper" but I'm a glass half full kind of person.

lcddream · « **Reply #4 on:** January 27, 2007, 11:13:58 pm »

for me the excitement is that the wii mod scene has finally reached the consumer. i saw the news the first day it was known, but for me it was filed away as ... definitely not gonna buy the first chip, but "sweet!"

without knowing anything else though i probably wouldn't buy this chip just because the firmware isn't reflashable.

kingflynn · « **Reply #5 on:** January 28, 2007, 09:44:48 am »

The video of this chip is fake. The Wii symbol changes to the spinning CD before he puts the disk in, at 00:17.

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #6 on:** January 28, 2007, 09:59:28 am »

Quote from: lcddream on January 27, 2007, 11:13:58 pm

for me the excitement is that the wii mod scene has finally reached the consumer. i saw the news the first day it was known, but for me it was filed away as ... definitely not gonna buy the first chip, but "sweet!"

without knowing anything else though i probably wouldn't buy this chip just because the firmware isn't reflashable.

There isn't any firmware to speak of. The "wii scene" websites are starting to get the chip in and they are saying it's nothing more than a simple pic chip that bypasses the security checks once they are read from the dvd. (Not confirmed, as it's brand new). So basically you'd be paying 50 bucks for a 60 cent chip. Mind you they flashed it with a tiny bit of code for you, but you could take a similar chip to a pic programming service and still come out waaaay cheaper. Of course if you can't wait a few weeks for the chip to be tore apart and the knowledge of how they did it to come out, then I suppose you could go ahead and pre-order.

Yeah the video looks sketchy to me as well, but apparently it is real as legitimate websites are getting it in and testing it.

Totally off topic, but I saw this pic on maxconsole and got a real kick out of it. I might make it my new sig.

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #7 on:** January 28, 2007, 10:29:56 am »

For a glass half full kind of person, you certainly have a way of pouring it over a persons head.

I was reporting the news, not promoting it.

albert_c · « **Reply #8 on:** January 29, 2007, 02:15:41 pm »

awww man diz IZ UBER L337 COOL

ChadTower · « **Reply #9 on:** January 29, 2007, 03:12:50 pm »

Quote from: Howard_Casto on January 28, 2007, 09:59:28 am

Totally off topic, but I saw this pic on maxconsole and got a real kick out of it. I might make it my new sig.

We're just seeing the website logo. I don't think the external reference is allowed.

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #10 on:** January 29, 2007, 05:21:34 pm »

There's another chip out. This one is a legitimate mod chip that you can reflash and stuff, plus it offers some features, news is also at maxconsole. I still think it's best to wait, BUT if you must have one, don't buy the wiininja one as it's literally a 60 cent pic chip.

p.s. sorry about the pic, they must have blocked it... it was working yesterday.

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #11 on:** January 29, 2007, 05:52:01 pm »

interesting.

shmokes · « **Reply #12 on:** January 30, 2007, 03:44:51 am »

It is pretty exciting to see such early progress on the mod scene. Homebrew has some amazing potential, I think, with many publishers probably shying away from using the controller in ways that are so radically different that they could alienate traditional gamers.

ChadTower · « **Reply #13 on:** January 30, 2007, 09:00:12 am »

From what I'm reading around the net, most of the early breakthroughs are going to be using the controllers on things other than the Wii.

shmokes · « **Reply #14 on:** January 30, 2007, 10:57:10 am »

Though, to be fair, this is a situation determined at least partially by the fact that until now there was no way to create any homebrew using the Wii remote with the Wii, so things other than the Wii were the only option. The advent of the Wii modchip changes that situation a bit.

ChadTower · « **Reply #15 on:** January 30, 2007, 11:44:03 am »

Only a little. There is also the learning curve coding for the Wii, which is going to be much steeper than the PC's noncurve. You can factor out any curve as to coding for the controller because it exists in both cases.

shmokes · « **Reply #16 on:** January 30, 2007, 05:22:53 pm »

Def. a learning curve, and without the backing of publisher dollars maybe it's something that will take the open source community to wrap their heads around (though, based on their history, I'm not too concerned). But there are tools that look like they can make life immensely easier for Wii programmers. I saw a demonstration of a brilliant middleware app that translates gestures with the remote into raw code that the Wii understands. So, for example, if you wanted to have a gesture that represented swinging a lasso over your head (say you wanted to make a Rodeo game, for example), you would simply hit the record button, make the motion with the Wii remote, and then hit the stop button. Then you would do this like fifty more times for the same gesture, maybe have a few different people do it, so that it can learn in the same way speach recognition becomes more accurate the more you train it. And all the code is written for you.

I can't remember what it is called, but the demonstration was pretty fascinating.

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #17 on:** January 31, 2007, 08:31:24 am »

I think it's called motion averaging, or something to that degree. Ironically m$ pioneered that one, but for the opposite reason (realistic force-feedback). I think wii homebrew will happen, but it's going to be a sloow journey. You've gotta remember, the only system that had quick, fullfilling homebrew was the xbox, and that is because code-wise it is basically a pc. We don't have a clue what the wii os is based on (though most speculate it's linux based.)

But using wiimotes, on the pc is also a very useful tool for hacks. I've already posted a couple of scripts in the software forum, one for starwars yokes, and one for sonic blast man (a game where you punched a punching bag). Scripts that use the ir tracking still need work (Nobody has made one that it's pixel accurate yet.), but I've played around with a "mame script" that somebody made, and found it very serviceable for playing games like terminator 2 in mame. I think it is particularly exciting for people in our particular hobby as controls that are impractical to have on a mame cab (yokes, analog mounted guns, ect..) can be recreated using motion guestures, a wiimote, and possibly a custom shell for the controller. Also something of note is the generic controller companies out there have jumped on the band-wagon. I ran across a 6 axis controller for the pc yesterday for under 30 bucks. Mind you I've stressed how stupid a 6 axis controller is unless it's in a generic shape (see any rant I've made about the ps3) but this means we have a cheap source of accelerometers.

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #18 on:** January 31, 2007, 08:43:35 am »

Modchip reviewed

ChadTower · « **Reply #19 on:** January 31, 2007, 01:27:21 pm »

6 axis controllers... heh, to make it reasonable you'd have to put it in a softball.

shmokes · « **Reply #20 on:** January 31, 2007, 03:03:37 pm »

It sounds like the mod chip is really quite good from the review. I'd love to be able to play backups, since I have no morals. And the possibility of Gamecube homebrew doesn't hurt, but the lack of Wii homebrew is a pretty big deal, especially since it doesn't really look like the chip is upgradeable.

ChadTower · « **Reply #21 on:** January 31, 2007, 03:05:31 pm »

Quote from: shmokes on January 31, 2007, 03:03:37 pm

I'd love to be able to play backups, since I have no morals.

SNAAKE · « **Reply #22 on:** January 31, 2007, 03:48:45 pm »

^

clanggedin · « **Reply #23 on:** February 01, 2007, 12:26:15 pm »

I'll wait until they port MAME on the Wii.

OR

When they have more games to pirate..

lcddream · « **Reply #24 on:** February 02, 2007, 10:43:43 am »

new upgradeable mod chip coming out soon!! from the team behind xenogc

http://www.wiikey.cn/

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #25 on:** February 02, 2007, 10:55:39 am »

Wow. They are coming out of the woodwork now. Funny thing is, when we can run some homebrew apps, I can see my xbox getting shelved for a new wii media center.

ChadTower · « **Reply #26 on:** February 02, 2007, 11:47:28 am »

Wii won't be able to upconvert the way XBMC does.

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #27 on:** February 02, 2007, 01:22:13 pm »

why not? I mean, right now this isnt a full mod chip, but eventually, I'd think they'd get unrestricted access to processing power.

ChadTower · « **Reply #28 on:** February 02, 2007, 01:35:16 pm »

Because XBMC actually takes advantage of the 720p/1080i native capabilities of the Xbox. Abilities that don't exist in the Wii.

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #29 on:** February 02, 2007, 02:50:24 pm »

sorry, i knew that. I still use a standard Tube TV so its not an issue to me.

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #30 on:** February 19, 2007, 03:18:01 pm »

Here are some early reviews. So far, the Wiinja is a better chip.

Wiinja Review
http://www.iso420.org/wii/wiinja/index.htm

CycloWiz Review
http://www.iso420.org/wii/cyclowiz/index.htm

shmokes · « **Reply #31 on:** February 19, 2007, 08:01:36 pm »

I want one, but I gotta say, I don't wanna open the thing and mod it more than once. A chip that will not allow Wii homebrew just ain't gonna cut it for me. I'll wait. Wii homebrew just has too much potential to write off. These current chips open the doors for homebrew, as I understand it, but only using Gamecube hardware. I don't think developers can access the Wii hardware (motion sensors, etc.) yet, until someone figures out the encryption.

ChadTower · « **Reply #32 on:** February 20, 2007, 08:26:14 am »

Unless you're willing to buy another (or possibly a couple more) Wii in the near future, leave these chips alone. They're not ready for prime time yet.

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #33 on:** February 20, 2007, 04:03:16 pm »

Yeah what these are doing is bypass the disc reader basically. I haven't wrapped my head around how it works yet but there's another layer of protection for the wii end of things, so like you said, you'll probably end up buying another if you buy one now.

A safer bet if you can't wait is probably a pro-action replay or something like that. You get a sd2gamecube adaptor which is useful for downloading saves off the net regardless and you don't have to void your warranty.

Eh.. but there's so few gamecube games that I don't own and yet I want that it's not worth it for me personally.

You didn't mention the open source chip btw. I think it came out of those serial port experiments I mentioned. If you knew a chip programmer you could have them design one based on it for next to nothing. I don't think it's ready yet either though.

jelwell · « **Reply #34 on:** March 06, 2007, 02:29:23 am »

Quote from: clanggedin on February 01, 2007, 12:26:15 pm

I'll wait until they port MAME on the Wii.

You can already run MAME on the wii. Not exactly ported though since it runs using the GameCube emulation:
http://voidpointer.org/gc-linux/

For more information on running gamecube homebrew on the wii:
http://wii-news.dcemu.co.uk/

Joseph Elwell.

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #35 on:** March 06, 2007, 08:50:07 am »

I put a cyclowiz in my wii a week ago and it works pretty well. I'd recomend the wiikey for updates and support and whatnot though. The actual taking apart of the wii is very straight forward, fairly easy. The soldering is not my thing though and I had a buddy do that part.

lcddream · « **Reply #36 on:** March 06, 2007, 01:01:46 pm »

i have the wiikey coming soon, i'll drop a note here to tell you all how it is..

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #37 on:** March 07, 2007, 05:55:00 pm »

You guys worry me.... you can now build a mod chip from scrath and it costs less than 15 bucks!

It requires the same amount of soldering as the store-bought chips, only this one can be re-programmed.

SNAAKE · « **Reply #38 on:** March 07, 2007, 09:08:05 pm »

Quote from: Howard_Casto on March 07, 2007, 05:55:00 pm

You guys worry me.... you can now build a mod chip from scrath and it costs less than 15 bucks!

how ??

versapak · « **Reply #39 on:** March 08, 2007, 01:40:21 am »

Quote from: SNAAKE on March 07, 2007, 09:08:05 pm

Quote from: Howard_Casto on March 07, 2007, 05:55:00 pm
You guys worry me.... you can now build a mod chip from scrath and it costs less than 15 bucks!

how ??

http://chiip.descrambler.de/index.php/Main_Page

I'm gonna give this one a go tomorrow (later today).

lcddream · « **Reply #40 on:** March 08, 2007, 07:10:22 pm »

Quote from: Howard_Casto on March 07, 2007, 05:55:00 pm

You guys worry me.... you can now build a mod chip from scrath and it costs less than 15 bucks!

It requires the same amount of soldering as the store-bought chips, only this one can be re-programmed.

the wiikey can be reprogrammed via dvd...I'm aware of the build your own scenario and was before I ordered the wiikey. I don't know why i didn;t build my own, it just didn't appeal to me. I do so much of my own other stuff, this time I figured I could spoil myself.

I guess I'm just getting tired.

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #41 on:** March 08, 2007, 10:19:55 pm »

Well my point was that since none of the wii chips are solderless yet, you are really doing the same amount of work (except you have to plug it into your pc first... big whoop). There are a lot of do-dads soldered on to the DIY chip, but if you read the how-to they are all optional..... You basically take an off-the shelf chip and program it and solder it on in the exact same manner that you would do a commercial chip.

Actually I like the this method. It appears that a second hardware hack will be required for wii homebrew and this wya you don't void your warranty. Also a 1 gig sd card and a usb adaptor is about 50 bucks by itself, so you aren't exactly wasting money on it.


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