Wii Component Cables not in stores

[Trippy]

I got it from avforum and wikipedia.

Show me cause they are wrong.

[Trippy]

Can someone please explain these arcane symbols, acronyms and numbers to me?  Small simple words help.

NTSC =  television broadcast standard used here in the US and some other parts of the world -- e.g. Japan with some differences
PAL = television broadcast standard used in the UK and other parts of the world that aren't using NTSC or SECAM (yet another broadcast standard)

As for the "480p", "720p", etc. If you are familiar with digital cameras and understand what "megapixels" mean, it's just like that (ignoring the "i" for interlaced part for the moment). With digital cameras, all else being equal (which it usually isn't), more megapixels means a more detailed picture. The same applies to video.

So "480p" (typically) means 704 x 480 resolution or 337,920 pixels or about "VGA resolution", with the "p" meaning "progressive" (see below).
720p = 1280 x 720 = 921,600 pixels or about "1 megapixel"
1080p = 1920 x 1080 = 2,073,600 or about "2 megapixels"

Note that the aspect ratio of 480p in this context is 4:3 while 720p and 1080p are 16:9 -- i.e. "widescreen".

These symbols refer both to how the source material was encoded/output and the resolution of the display device. If you have a mismatch then the image has to be squished or stretched by software to fit the display resolution. E.g. you can have something encoded in 720p being displayed at 1080p (image has to be stretched) or vice versa (squished).

With interlaced video, each "frame" (the entire image) is the same resolution as the progressive equivalent but each "field" is half the frame using alternative lines (i.e. one field has all the "even" lines, the other all the "odd") and the video is shown with alternating fields but because of the persistence on television CRT phosphors you (normally) don't see the individual fields. However, for reasons that are too complicated to get into here if the video does have a lot of fast movement between frames, the movement might not look that smooth with interlaced video. This is why some people prefer 720p for both the source and display resolutions for sports programming compared to 1080i (1920 x 1080 interlaced) source and display. In other words, 1080i is not always better than 720p even though 1080i in theory has a lot more detail than 720p.

I have almost no idea what you are talking about.  What are component cables, and I don't care, right, since I have a crt TV?

Depends if you have component inputs or not on your TV. Most CRT TVs won't but there are some that do.

[Trippy]

Why the hell would something as crucial as the Wii component cable ONLY be available online?  Retail stores are carrying every kind of fucking Wii lapel pin/dog tag/remote glove/dildo/skin/trinket/shit imaginable but AREN'T going to have the cable.  What explaination could Nintendo possibly have for such an idiotic decision?

Presumably for the same reason they removed it from the GC -- they think very very few people are going to want it and they don't want to bother their retailers with yet another SKU to stock that (almost) nobody is going to want to buy.

[OcellotJenkins]

Why the hell would something as crucial as the Wii component cable ONLY be available online?  Retail stores are carrying every kind of fucking Wii lapel pin/dog tag/remote glove/dildo/skin/trinket/shit imaginable but AREN'T going to have the cable.  What explaination could Nintendo possibly have for such an idiotic decision?

Presumably for the same reason they removed it from the GC -- they think very very few people are going to want it and they don't want to bother their retailers with yet another SKU to stock that (almost) nobody is going to want to buy.

Dog tags on the other hand, are definitely worth bothering the retailers with another SKU to stock.

[Trippy]

Yes, yes they are.

[Strazos]

I blame Target.

[Bokonon]

Well, the component thing is slightly better this time around (compared to GC). It won't just be Nintendo selling them online, I read that other outlets will too... Did I misread it?

What can I say about F13?  It's really my favorite website in the entire universe!  I love the irreverent banter and sly wit these keyboard jockeys produce.  And I especially love the staff, they're AWESOME.

[OcellotJenkins]

If these screenshots are in fact from the Wii version of Madden, then I'm rather impressed at what they are able to pull off with the hardware.

[schild]

That website is the devil.

[stray]

If these screenshots are in fact from the Wii version of Madden, then I'm rather impressed at what they are able to pull off with the hardware.

The video on the bottom of that page also demonstrates my newfound caution concerning the Wii Remote (as in the case with the DBZ game I mentioned earlier). Still seems like a cool idea, but a little complicated as well.

[Strazos]

There could very well be an option to simply play with a classic control scheme, using a GC controller or something.

[HaemishM]

HD won't be a standard in US households (>60% or so) for another 3-4 years. I am a tech geek, but I'm still using a 6-year-old Philips 27" CRT TV, and have no plans to upgrade any time soon, and certainly not at current prices. Currently, for the full HD experience, you need an expensive TV, an HD tuner, and/or a more expensive cable box, plus a still more expensive cable box to do HD recording (or get a ludicrously expensive HD TiVO).

Amen. Just from what I know, if I were to upgrade my current 27" CRT to one of the same size, only with HD, I'm looking at:

About $300-$400 for the same size TV
$600 for an HD Tivo for DirecTV
$5/month for HD service

That isn't even getting into the realm of the expensive ass cables I'd have to buy to get decent pictures out of it, nor that not every channel is in HD or even has HD on the horizon. Yeah, I'd love it. But right now, it's not fucking worth it. It's just not. And for most working class folks, 3-4 years sounds about right for it being worth it to them.

[HaemishM]

No, the average person isn't going to care about this cable thing.  It burns me, though, for the reason Schild mentioned.  I have always told everyone that the Wii isn't being made for gamers or the tech-savvy, and the low specs and such don't bother me since I know what I am getting into.

Have you seen that Dragonball Z game for the Wii?

I'm impressed by how it plays (as a spectator), but it looks a little complicated. I'm not even sure if I could play it well, let alone what kind of learning curve so called "ex gamers" and "non gamers" would have with it. It also makes me wonder how many other Wii games will play out like that.

A Dragonball Z is most certainly targeted to gamers, as "normal people" wouldn't give a fuck about vein-bursting bug-eyed motion-line seizuretoons. The system is targetd to non-gamers, that doesn't mean every game will be. That's like saying because Madden is on the system, the system isn't targeted for non-sports fans.

[stray]

My comment is more about the control scheme than it is DBZ. In fact, it has nothing to do with "DBZ". It could apply to any fighting game. Any game more sophisticated than Wii Tennis (i.e. something that needs you to memorize at least 10 controller actions) seems like they might pose a bit of a learning curve to the "non gamers" of the world.

[edit]

Perhaps the problem is not in how many things one would have to memorize, but the difficulty in memorizing controls that don't visually mimic the actions on screen so well. With Wii Tennis or Wii Baseball, learning how to do racquet and bat swings are pretty straightforward. It might not be so straightforward with other types of games though.

[Yegolev]

I will just point out that there are HD CRT units.  I have one.  It's something of a dinosaur (no HDMI) and isn't perfect, but I won't be getting a new one anytime soon.

I have not seen the DBZ game... for any console.  Of the chances of that happening, Magic 8 Ball says: NOT LIKELY.  DBZ touched me in a bad place.  As for fighting games using the Wiimote, could they possibly be more complicated than DOA for Xbox?  I'm talking about the pressure-sensitive button bullshit.

Not worried about learning curves.  If I can learn to play Gothic, I can learn to use any control scheme for a console game.  Whether it is a good control scheme is another discussion and belongs with the "console FPS" and "zomg Gothic" and "damn Steambot Chronicles" bucket.

Well, the component thing is slightly better this time around (compared to GC). It won't just be Nintendo selling them online, I read that other outlets will too... Did I misread it?

Yes, actually you are right.  There is a little variety in which online store you can buy the cable from.  I suppose this will help if you have a coupon or something.

[stray]

Not worried about learning curves.  If I can learn to play Gothic, I can learn to use any control scheme for a console game.  Whether it is a good control scheme is another discussion and belongs with the "console FPS" and "zomg Gothic" and "damn Steambot Chronicles" bucket.

Heh. Let me start over. If we, being the "gamers" that we are, run into a few snags with strange control schemes, then how much more so for the "non gamers" that the Wii is supposedly being marketed to?

My point in mentioning all of this is that the Wii really isn't being marketed to non gamers at all. It's still a gamer's machine. I think it's very unlikely that normal people will have a less difficult time with Wii Madden than they would with PS3 or 360 Madden.

I could be completely wrong though. Perhaps I've been indoctrinated with the whole gamepad paradigm for so long to not see the simplicity of the Wii Remote.

Lastly: Before anyone accuses me of it. I'm not criticizing the Wii. I still want one.

[Big Gulp]

Lastly: Before anyone accuses me of it. I'm not criticizing the Wii. I still want one.

I will.  The costs for the Wii are way out of line for what boils down to Gamecube 1.5.

$250 for the console, $60 bucks for the extra Wiimote, and however much the component cable is.  Right there we're already into 360 Core territory.  If you take into account the underperforming hardware and the unproven control scheme and I'm willing to make a bet right now that a month after the Wii's release a lot of people are going to be regretting their purchase.

And I'll be waiting to resurrect this thread and gloat.   

[schild]

Yea, over the last 24 hours I've gone from - I'll just order the cable online and not hook it up til I get it to "Screw this, I'm done with this system."

Yes, a $30 cable was a dealbreaker.

Cuz quite honestly, I was getting this system for Zelda. There isn't even anything else with a release date I give a shit about.

[Bokonon]

My point in mentioning all of this is that the Wii really isn't being marketed to non gamers at all. It's still a gamer's machine. I think it's very unlikely that normal people will have a less difficult time with Wii Madden than they would with PS3 or 360 Madden.

I could be completely wrong though. Perhaps I've been indoctrinated with the whole gamepad paradigm for so long to not see the simplicity of the Wii Remote.

According to hearsay out on gaming web sites, a lot writers have mentioned that with games like Madden, newbies have an easier time picking up the basic controls than us gamers that have to unlearn years of button-based control.

That said, there are going to be some really crappy control schemes for the next 6-12 months. Unless that AILive stuff is all that and a bag of chips.

Of course, I'm likely getting Wii without even getting Zelda, so I am not anywhere near the rest of you's demographic. I'm figuring on playing Wii Sports, Rayman Raving Rabbids, and the VC. At some point I might get ExciteTruck, Red Steel, and probably Trauma Center.

What can I say about F13?  It's really my favorite website in the entire universe!  I love the irreverent banter and sly wit these keyboard jockeys produce.  And I especially love the staff, they're AWESOME.

[WindupAtheist]

I have a regular TV, own HD nothing, and have no idea what the fuck you people are even talking about.  I don't care about this thirty dollar cable, and if I were buying a Wii I'd be pleased not to have to buy it by default when it would just go in a drawer someplace.

[Xanthippe]

Thanks for the explanation, Trippy.

How would I tell if I have a place to plug in a component cable? Besides asking my local AV expert (the old ball and chain).  Every so often I like to drop words on him that I barely understand to impress him with how well-rounded I am.

My TV is about 8 years old, maybe.  Panasonic, bought it at Costco, I believe.

[Trippy]

How would I tell if I have a place to plug in a component cable? Besides asking my local AV expert (the old ball and chain).  Every so often I like to drop words on him that I barely understand to impress him with how well-rounded I am.

My TV is about 8 years old, maybe.  Panasonic, bought it at Costco, I believe.

You'll see something like this:



Except saying "Component Video In".

Basically three stacked RCA connectors (either horizontal or vertical) with those three colors means component input/output.

[Trippy]

Lastly: Before anyone accuses me of it. I'm not criticizing the Wii. I still want one.

I will.  The costs for the Wii are way out of line for what boils down to Gamecube 1.5.

$250 for the console, $60 bucks for the extra Wiimote, and however much the component cable is.  Right there we're already into 360 Core territory.

Except that the Xbox 360 Core system doesn't come with a component cable either. And it only has one controller too. Oh and it's cabled not wireless.

[schild]

Lastly: Before anyone accuses me of it. I'm not criticizing the Wii. I still want one.

I will.  The costs for the Wii are way out of line for what boils down to Gamecube 1.5.

$250 for the console, $60 bucks for the extra Wiimote, and however much the component cable is.  Right there we're already into 360 Core territory.

Except that the Xbox 360 Core system doesn't come with a component cable either. And it only has one controller too. Oh and it's cabled not wireless.

How about this.

The Wii costs too much for too little. A Gamecube is $59 used. Nintendo is pulling some weak shit here.

[Yoru]

How about this.

The PS3 costs too much for too little. A PS2 is $59 used. Sony is pulling some weak shit here.

FIFY.

[Kageru]

My comment is more about the control scheme than it is DBZ. In fact, it has nothing to do with "DBZ". It could apply to any fighting game. Any game more sophisticated than Wii Tennis (i.e. something that needs you to memorize at least 10 controller actions) seems like they might pose a bit of a learning curve to the "non gamers" of the world.

Perhaps the problem is not in how many things one would have to memorize, but the difficulty in memorizing controls that don't visually mimic the actions on screen so well. With Wii Tennis or Wii Baseball, learning how to do racquet and bat swings are pretty straightforward. It might not be so straightforward with other types of games though.

One of the magazines I have indicates that the smash brothers game for the wii eschews the wiimote in favor of the "classic" controller.

And the main reason to get a wii over an xbox is certainly not the hardware value if offers, it's no secret it is nothing special in that regard. But it does look like it will bring forth some interesting new gaming experiences. If all games were available for all consoles then you could choose your console just on its specs...

[stray]

How about this.

The PS3 costs too much for too little. A PS2 is $59 used. Sony is pulling some weak shit here.

FIFY.

Well, uh, their "Live" service will be free at least.

Small potatoes in the longrun maybe? I'm not sure.

[Trippy]

How about this.

The Wii costs too much for too little. A Gamecube is $59 used. Nintendo is pulling some weak shit here.

I don't disagree. I expected it to sell for $199 or $250 with two sets of controllers.

[Strazos]

Two sets? Has any console done that? Since NES at least?

[Jain Zar]

I won't have a hi def TV for a couple years, or sooner if the post OSX 10.5 24" iMac decides to build some video inputs into that sumbitch.  (Which is probably the only reason I am holding out on that gorgeous, overpriced, sexy bitch of a machine..)

Thus I could care less about component cables.

And a 250 dollar machine that runs all my Gamecube stuff (cept for the Gameboy Player stuff I honestly use maybe once every 6 months instead of my GBA or DS anyhow...), plus has oldschool stuff, plus all the nifty new stuff and a game is a pretty good deal to me.

I spend 90% of my time playing videogames alone anyhow (tabletop RPGs, boardgames, and miniatures games are my multiplayer games of choice thank you.  Federation Commander > videogames) so I won't need multiple controllers any time soon.

Shit, given the way the 360 has been, even the cheaper wired controller for it has mostly been a waste.  (Only saved by using it to play emulator games on my iMac.  All my Genesis classics with a lovely controller is a good thing.)

Ill have pretty Zelda, Excite Truck, Metal Slug Anthology, and the free pack in game to play.

I am set.  The extraneous crap some of you seem to need will be money spent on Transformers Classics & Titaniums, and Warhammer Fantasy.  My Orcs and Goblins need the new boxed set.  And my Lizzies sure could use a Stegadon since they have no artillery and my Dwarf playing friend is gonna have at least 2 cannons and the Gyrocopter I bought him as a thank you gift for getting me a birthday cake.

[schild]

Well, when you have hobbies like Warhammer, which are arguably more of a money sink than black tar heroin, $250 on a console seems OK.

When your bread and butter hobby is games, $250 for a souped up Gamecube with an unproven paradigm shift in controls is goddamn extortion.

[Yegolev]

I have a regular TV, own HD nothing, and have no idea what the fuck you people are even talking about.  I don't care about this thirty dollar cable, and if I were buying a Wii I'd be pleased not to have to buy it by default when it would just go in a drawer someplace.

Ladies and gentlemen!  Allow me to present to you... the Nintendo Wii's target demographic!  *wild cheers*

The fact that you don't have a HD (or ED) TV is inextricably linked to your apathy toward the cable.  I'm not suggesting you buy a HDTV.  Early adoption is for chumps.

When your bread and butter hobby is games, $250 for a souped up Gamecube with an unproven paradigm shift in controls is goddamn extortion.

There is some subjectiveness here.  It's still not so bad that I won't have one before 2007, but of course I love Nintendo despite their shitcockery.  I like my Cube and I would like to have a Cube 2; the other junk, particularly online capability, is a bonus to me.  I just wish they would quit being Ike to my Tina.

Sam's Club has a 360 bundle for $449 that includes the controller (90% sure it's the wireless one) and some sort of play-charge thing; not sure how great of a deal that is.  I was looking for the Costco bundle info, but I find that I no longer have a Costco card.  I also don't know what the cost would be for the 360 component cable, but I can guess $35; I also expected to have to buy it separately, so no perceived burn there.  In the end, the thing that makes me want to get the 360 is Dead Rising and Saint's Row.  That's what, $605 with the cable?

[HaemishM]

How about this.

The PS3 costs too much for too little. A PS2 is $59 used. Sony is pulling some weak shit here.

FIFY.

Well, uh, their "Live" service will be free at least.

Small potatoes in the longrun maybe? I'm not sure.

I think what you'll be paying for on the X-Box Live service is a standard set of networking software and connectivity. The PS3 will just let all the different vendors do their own thing with all the networking stuff. I think it's a wash.

[MisterNoisy]

Sam's Club has a 360 bundle for $449 that includes the controller (90% sure it's the wireless one) and some sort of play-charge thing; not sure how great of a deal that is.  I was looking for the Costco bundle info, but I find that I no longer have a Costco card.  I also don't know what the cost would be for the 360 component cable, but I can guess $35; I also expected to have to buy it separately, so no perceived burn there.  In the end, the thing that makes me want to get the 360 is Dead Rising and Saint's Row.  That's what, $605 with the cable?

If it's a 'complete' (white box) system, you're basically getting the play/charge kit ($20) for free and that's about it - the wireless controllers run $50 at retail when purchased separately.  The complete system contains a set of component (but not HDMI/DVI) cables in the box, tho it's mated to a set of composite (RCA) cables with a ginormous switched dongle.

[Triforcer]

I'm a nintendo junkie who needs the Zelda needle injected directly into my largest artery, but all the stuff I've been hearing about the Wii around the edges is making me uneasy.  My new strategy is get Zelda on Gamecube, wait a few months and see if the Wii is Virtual Boy 2.