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Review : Component Cables for Nintendo Wii
Yesterday as I was arriving home I saw the UPS truck driving away from my place. I was overjoyed to see that Nintendo finally got around to shipping me the Wii Component cables that I ordered over their website before they sold out of them. They were a bargin at $30 plus shipping.
I didn’t just want Wii Component Cables I NEEDED them. All of the Virtual Console games that I have purchased over at my Dad’s place on his standard TV would not work on my HDTV over the standard AV cables with the notable exception of the TurboGrafx-16 games.
I do think it was lame that Nintendo did not have the component cables available on the launch of the Wii and that there was misunderstanding about their availability. I also think it is sort of lame that the AV cable that comes standard with the Wii did not even have an S-Video cable. I mean just AV jacks that is so 1990.
I know that the Wii can’t do HD but I wanted it in 480p widescreen (or EDTV )damn it. By using component cables with my Wii, I can stick with the “HDTV input” setting on my TV for my DVDs, Xbox 360, Wii and Gamecube games.
I was shocked at the size of the box that the cables were shipped in and then how big the box the cables came in. It was easy to hook up to my switch box and after changing the system preference I got a nice clean progressive scan signal from my Wii. The flicker from the virtual console games went away and the I could notice a real difference in Zelda, Wii Sports and Red Steel. I took some before and after shots in my digital camera but they did not come out so good. Rayman Raving Rabbids looked great but it kicked it back to 480i. Apparently Rabbids can’t do progressive scan. I hope they consider an update but it will not affect my enjoyment of the game at all. Zelda had the most improvement and you can actually read the expression on Links face without things getting muddy. I thought it looked good on standard AV cables but it damn it looks better over component.
The unexpected plus came from when I started playing Gamecube games on the Wii. Everysingle Gamecube game that I tried last night asked me if I wanted to go to Progressive Scan mode and it looked crisp and wonderful. Soul Calibur 2, F-Zero GX and Ikaruga looked almost next generation crispy. Even my first Gamecube game Super Mario Sunshine gladly kick out a progressive signal.
I understand that the Wii is not about HD gaming but at least the Wii respects Widescreen progressive scan I am extremely pleased with the Wii Component Cables and it is a must for anyone who wants to play a Wii on a HDTV set.
Jake at November 30, 2006 
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Comments
I recently found the gamecube component cables used at Gamestop for $5 (which is a steal, considering their $50+ eBay price) and tried Mario Sunshine. It looks great. All those games you tried happen to be 480p enabled, but unfortunately, most games are not. It's a real shame why they didn't make it a standard. But they also got rid of the component port on newer gamecubes. It's a shame really. They have no faith in ED or HD, thus the shortage of component cables.
Posted by: Shawn L at December 1, 2006 6:46 AM
So far the only Gamecube games that I tried that were not able to do 480p was frigging Quiditch World Cup. My god I can't believe I actually just mentioned I own that game.
Well the choice to not do HDTV is what keeps the Wii at $250 and profitable from day one. I can live with that.
I think Nintendo wants to sell Component cables for the Wii they just underestimated the demand of fanboys. There is no doubt in my mind that Nintendo post Wii game system that I am now going to call the “Super Wii” will support HDTV native resolutions but don’t expect it for about five years.
Posted by: Jacob Metcalf ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.8bitjoystick.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at December 1, 2006 9:54 AM
It's true it more profitable, I meant the Gamecube though. I think they should have made it a standard to make every game compatable with 480p and 16:9. I hope the Wii games will be like that.
Posted by: Shawn L at December 2, 2006 5:53 AM
Seriously, the only people who care that it's not HD are people who think HD makes a super-difference this gen than it would, say, next gen. Right now it just looks like I'm playing computer games on my TV.
Posted by: Llydis at December 2, 2006 8:36 AM
Wait?! Games that didn't support 480p on GC do support 480p on Wii?
Posted by: Jim at December 3, 2006 12:12 PM
GC games that support progressive scan will display in 480p in the Wii using component cables on a TV that supports progressive scan like an HDTV. GC games that do not support progressive scan will display in 480i and that will still look great considering that is the best kind of output that game can do.
Lydis if you ask me my Xbox 360 can crank out way better graphics than my PC and Mac can. I don’t have anything that comes close to Gears of War and Tony Hawk Project 8 on my PC.
I am just glad that I got my old N64 to work on my HDTV. I had to get a RF adaptor since AV cables made it flicker.
Posted by: Jacob Metcalf at December 4, 2006 9:19 AM
