Wii component cables are retail-bound
by Ross Miller 
{ Nov 6th 2006 at 2:25PM }
The Wii component cables will be available in brick-and-mortar retail outlets on launch day, according to Nintendo of America's Perrin Kaplan. In an interview with Game Informer, Kaplan admitted her region-free mistake from mid-September before answering the question on the component cables' availability.Prior to the interview, the general consensus was that the component cables would be made available only through Nintendo's online store, vastly dropping their chances of adoption. If Kaplan is correct, this would be a marginal boost for Nintendo to showcase what technical prowess the console has. In relation to its competitors, 480p is not a number to boast, but certainly it improves Wii's stance with the technophilic audience eager to get the most out of their hardware.
If Kaplan hasn't made a second mistake, expect to be able to pick up your higher-def Wii cables at "Best Buy, GameStop, Circuit City, etc." on launch day.
[Via Evil Avatar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Evolution @ Nov 6th 2006 2:34PM
Hahaha the 360 comes with loads of wicked cables. Stupid Nintendo still thinknig everyone uses black and white tvs.
Does the Wii even support colour?
baby sea tuna @ Nov 6th 2006 2:33PM
Whew.
> @ Nov 6th 2006 2:34PM
Component Output... welcome to 1995.
Say No to Crack @ Nov 6th 2006 2:36PM
Nintendo needs some good news. I was a little disappointed that they weren't going to offer high def, but at least with component cables the upsampling to wide screen TVs will be a little better. Too bad they didn't just include them with the console ...
BlindsideDork @ Nov 6th 2006 2:45PM
If they included component cables in the console wouldn't that be admitting that HD is a necessity in this "generation"? They think it is nice and will be standard but not now.
Darkness @ Nov 6th 2006 2:43PM
>, maybe you have a high def TV, but my TV only supports component, so I'll be picking these cables up. I have my Xbox and PS2 hooked up with component cables, and it'll be nice to get my Wii hooked up that way. I would have gotten the Cube component cables, but did not want to order them online. This is definitely good news.
crono141 @ Nov 6th 2006 3:09PM
Fux Yesh,
I was kinda sad I'd hook up my wii at 1 on sunday with substandard cables, having to wait a week for the component cables to come in.
Here's a stupid question I just came up with. With Wii software, display defaults to system settings. But with GC software, does everything automagically go to progressive scan (if supported) and widescreen (if supported) or do we still have to turn this on in software?
Any news on price of said component cables?
JodyAnthony @ Nov 6th 2006 2:45PM
>, Enjoy your PS3 that also only comes with composite cables for your $600
Tom @ Nov 6th 2006 2:48PM
Erm of course component cables are going to be at retail we have seen this from retail lists. Seriously why are sites acting like this is news? Oh perhaps you mean Nintendo component cables? Well the question didn't ask about nintendo brand cables only cables so her answer is correct.
Sean @ Nov 6th 2006 2:47PM
I'm really disappointed that the Wii doesn't come with component cables by default. Who the hell wants to use composite? Even on a standard def TV, component is a lot better, but obviously everyone with an HDTV will have to spend an extra $30 just for some wide screen action. :P
robotrock @ Nov 6th 2006 2:48PM
anyone know if the GC cables will work/
John @ Nov 6th 2006 3:05PM
I still think they should have included HDMI even if the Wii won't support anything higher than 480p. Nintendo touts the simplicity of the Wii and there's nothing more simple than an HDMI connector that carries both audio and video in a single connector. Guess I'll have to keep waiting for the day I can have all my A/V devices connected in a nice, clean digital system without the cable clutter and complications of antiquated analog cables...
Gerwurztraminer @ Nov 6th 2006 2:50PM
Fortunately for me, the Wii will support color on 11/19, but I hear it won't have colour support until 12/8. That's a shame.
Good ol' yellow and white cables for me. Hey, what's this red one do?
Sherlock @ Nov 6th 2006 2:53PM
I've been feverishly watching all of the online stores (BB, CC, & Amazon) to see if they will be selling these early so I can have it in hand by launch. I'd hate to have had to fire up Zelda for the first time with the composite cables. Hopefully it won't be too much trouble to pick these up in a store Saturday night/Sunday. I think Walmart (and others possibly) should hopefully be selling them on Thursday 11/16 when the Wii "software" goes on sale. Can't wait, I have a 42" Panasonic EDTV that I'm sure the Wii will look great on.
obo @ Nov 6th 2006 4:57PM
Anyone got experience with 27" HDTVs? Is it a big difference on a smaller TV between 480p and 720p?
SG evaNERV @ Nov 6th 2006 2:55PM
Ok... calm down and do the numbers. How many gamers...nay... the gamers that Nintendo wants... have HDTVS?
Remember, They aren't shooting for the X360/PS3 crowd.
Yes, I would love Zelda at 1080i...but 480p 16:9 is fine.
This reminds me when AOL only did dialup and not highspeed access. People called them crazy and what not. But they knew the market and their customer. Very few people had high speed back then and they saved a ton of $$$ not supporting it until the market was saturated.
Look at the numbers...I am sure a lot of TVs come standard with S-Video or Component...but how many people even have a clue about what that means? Very few...besides us hardcore technophiles.
Steve @ Nov 6th 2006 2:58PM
Dittos on that "Whew"
I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to get them on launch day because they were originally only going to be available online. I wonder if Nintendo was slammed with complaints about this.
And to all those out there dismissing the importance of progessive scan through component video cables: yes, it really does make a huge difference. I went with the cables on my HDTV for my Gamecube because I knew, in theory, that the video was better.
The s-video cable is supposed to be better than component, but damn if I can see any difference. I use s-video over composite video because I know that it really is better whether I can see it or not. I thought the same would be true with the component video, and pretty much felt that way even after using the cables for a few years.
It wasn't until I noticed how bad the demo Gamecubes looked in places like BestBuy that I started to realize the difference. Those sets use the new Gamecubes that were crippled with the removal of the progressive scan output. The BestBuy demos just look fuzzy and bad to me. Then I hooked a new Gamecube up to my TV using its composite video and noticed I had the same cruddy looking graphics on my set. I compared the video to my old Gamecube while both were running the same game and I was blown away by the difference. In Metroid Prime (at the same spot in the game) the composite video was so dark and fuzzy that I couldn't see the rear wall of the cavern. On the other cube with the progressive scan component video connection I could clearly see the texture.
I remember a complaint I had early-on with Metroid Prime was the darkness of the environment. This complaint eventually disappeared from my head. I used to think that I just adapted to the darkness, but now I bet it was caused by my switch in cables.
The difference wouldn't be like going from a VHS copy of a movie to an HDDVD version of the same movie, but you really do see a big improvement in video quality using these cables.
Apoklypse @ Nov 6th 2006 2:59PM
"10. anyone know if the GC cables will work/
Posted at 2:47PM on Nov 6th 2006 by robotrock 0 stars"
Nope- different hook up altogether unfortunately.
Hinkmania @ Nov 6th 2006 2:59PM
Before I started buying my own stuff, I had to use an RF to COAX converter for my home consoles. You whipper snappers.
Jose @ Nov 6th 2006 3:06PM
I had to go to Lik-Sang (cries of agony) to get my NGC component cables, I'm very happy to see I can pick up my Wii and component cables from the same place. *sigh* I'm not on speaking terms with Sony, they're still on notice for what they did.
Anna @ Nov 6th 2006 3:10PM
I asked my local EB canada about this last weekend.
---
Me: Hey I was wondering if you guys were planning on carrying the Wii Component Cables.
Guy (condesendingly): The Wii isn't High Definitaion hon.
Me: Yeah... but it will have component cables for progressive mode.
Guy: Just use the cables it comes with, you won't notice a difference.
Me: You can tell the difference on a gamecube.
Guy: well I'm sure we'll have it as soon as a third party makes them.
---
So... I think that answers "I'm an ignorant asshole" and "We've received no info on a component cable"
SG evaNERV @ Nov 6th 2006 3:25PM
#20 For GC I believe you have to hold the "B" button oin startup of a game to kick it in Progressive mode. Almost 100% of Wii software is Progressive Scan 16:9 enhanced.
SG evaNERV @ Nov 6th 2006 3:29PM
#21 That is sad... but funny.
I would ahve told the guy "Dude, I am the type of person that tore apart my entire wirings of my DVD player, HDTV DVR box, PS2, Gamecube, Xbox, Xbox360 to figure out why I saw a slight amount of interference lines on my PS2 when I played games. So... YES! I WOULD NOTICE!"
benjamin @ Nov 6th 2006 3:35PM
@#18: Hear hear! I too have finally jumped on the HDMI bandwagon, and it's definitely the place to be.
AzaMcWazza @ Nov 6th 2006 3:45PM
I would have been surprised if the cables weren't offered in the US stores, cause they've been advertised here in New Zealand for several weeks now.
Component itself is great for the lack of dot crawl and other artifacts associated with composite and s-video, but the progressive thing is the lovely bit. Running your Wii, interlaced through a monitor that's doing progressive (Projector, LCD etc) will drop the res by baout 1/4 as the system deinterlaces the signal; so your Wii is actually running at around 360p
navstar @ Nov 6th 2006 4:16PM
Considering that Nintendo is targeting this for mass market, component cables don't make any sense.
Anyone have any numbers on percentages of how many installed TVs have component, composite, S-video, and HDMI?
JoeSchmo @ Nov 6th 2006 3:59PM
Just so you know...even at 480i, 16:9 is supported. It may not look as smooth, but at least no black bars on the sides.
Buy a cable, it will be worth it.
John Lucas @ Nov 8th 2006 2:21PM
Well just in case anyone was wondering I still use my Red Yellow White A/V cables & don't have a TV that supports component video.
In fact I was STILL using RF cables in the N64 days when my old 1991 Goldstar 19 inch TV finally broke down around 2000 or so.
Immediately after the breakdown I bought a cheap $59 Sanyo 19 inch that had the A/V outputs right in front & I plan to use THIS one until IT breaks down as well. Or use it WITH any new TV I may buy in the future which may not be for a while since I only have need for one TV at the moment.
Most people just use the TV they got until it goes to pieces on them. THEN they buy a new one. Or unless they got lots of people in the household to need more than one TV so you can watch what you want to.
'Tronicheads may buy a new device for every occasion but most people still use the same tried & true until they see a real need to upgrade.
Nintendo looks at what most people are REALLY using in the market to make their decisions.
Nintendo made the right call on online despite some popular opinion.
* XBox launches Nov. 2001;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox
* XBox Live launches an exact year later after US release Nov 2002;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox#Xbox_Live
* 250,000 people subscribed in the first two months (meaning by Jan 2003 you had 250,000 Live users)
* It took almost two years for that 250,000 to quadruple into 1,000,000 (reached 1 mil in Jul 2004)
* One year after that it finally doubled into 2,000,000 (reached 2 mil in Jul 2005)
* XBox sold 24,000,000 units at system's end.
* That makes the online userbase 1/12 (one-twelfth) of entire userbase at the end of 3 years. (approx 2 million is 1/12 of 24 million)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_360
* XBox 360 has sold as of September 30, 2006 6,000,000 units.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_Live
* XBox Live users have doubled again as of October 18, 2006 to 4,000,000 users.
* That makes the online userbase 2/3 (two-thirds) of entire userbase (4 million is 2/3 of 6 million).
JUST in time for the 7th generation as Nintendo said. Online consoling wasn't really taking off until LAST year/this year (I've shown you the numbers). People didn't want it yet. Now that they do here is Nintendo with an Online Service fully-packed and ready to go.
The same argument stands for the HD argument. Most people don't want that yet. The market won't be ripe for that until the 8th generation. And then as costs of this tech goes down you will see Nintendo pack HD right in the box no worries & at no extraneous cost to the customers.
The same argument stands for the component cables. Some want it so they offer it in retail but most don't have the TV's that can use it so they don't make it a no-though pack-in right out of the box.
By then my old Sanyo might finally hit the fritz & as the digital mandate takes hold I'll be ready to shop for another more with the times TV. (My old Goldstar coulda doubled for a table! I was so surprised to see how thin-topped my Sanyo was. Had TV's REALLY changed that much I thought??? Can't put hardly ANYTHING on this TV!)
Retail is a good decision for this at the current time. Next-gen they'll probably put it right in the box as those kinds of TVs become more common.
Think Mass Market when you think of Nintendo & you'll never be confused on their decisions.
John Lucas
Mr. Khan @ Nov 6th 2006 4:09PM
You laddies think that Component should be standard? (runs off for a time to laugh)
(Comes back)
I know only 2 people who even have component connections on their TVs, and like 5 who have S-Video
There's only 1 TV in my house that even supports Composite Video, and that's the oldest (although our DVD player can OUTPUT in 480p)
That's why i can't wait 'till college, a cooler TV and a more reliable Internet Connection (I hate Verizon DSL)
There is a reason why they're not packed in... low low market penetration, granted that it is growing
Markusdragon @ Nov 6th 2006 4:25PM
I care not for component cables, I need wonderful, SCARTy goodness!
Piddy @ Nov 6th 2006 4:15PM
Thank God! I had to bitch and scream to NOA get the Cube versions.
WizarDru @ Nov 6th 2006 4:15PM
...ahhh, no. The only difference between 480i and 480p is that 480p presents the same visual information without any aliasing or artifacting due to the interlacing of the signal. They both contain the same visual information. 480p, however, does not require anti-aliasing and naturally looks better because of this.
If you have a 16x9 screen, then then Wii will cover that too, giving you 720x480 (as opposed to 640x480 for a 4:3 screen).
Aden Nak @ Nov 6th 2006 4:22PM
All snickering aside, yes, 1080p is nicer than 480p. even 1080i is a step up. But 480p ain't the end of the world, and it is sort of a "baseline" for better-than-terrible television viewing. I will tell you that the difference between Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 480p is enormous. As with most jumps in quality, the first is the most noticible. Compare the improvement from VHS->DVD to DVD->HDDVD/BluRay. Sure, the latter is also an improvement, but in terms of immediate quality, dragging yourself up out of the stone age is more obvious.
I AM glad that they are selling the component cables in stores. I think a lot of people didn't know or didn't bother with the GC component cables because they just weren't available. Being FORCED to buy 'em online was sad.
Plaid Ninja @ Nov 6th 2006 4:28PM
its about time! Now about that $30 price point...
funkonaut @ Nov 6th 2006 4:27PM
That was a close one! I called Nintendo last week and had them put in a request to the higher-ups to have the component cables available at the Nintendo World Store at launch. Therefore, I am single-handedly responsible for this! :P
Feanor @ Nov 6th 2006 4:34PM
"Anyone have any numbers on percentages of how many installed TVs have component, composite, S-video, and HDMI?"
I wish I knew the numbers but I can tell you that the 27 inch SD TV my wife bought for under $300 back in 2002 has component inputs, and that Xbox and PS2 games both look slightly but signifcantly better using component rather than composite. Even though they're still in 480i because the TV (unsurprisingly) doesn't do 480p.
Feanor @ Nov 6th 2006 4:34PM
Oh, and I didn't get my GameCube until RE 4 came out in January 2005 and Nintendo had kindly removed the component out from GameCubes by then. So it's hooked by S-video, which does look a little nicer than composite.
nick @ Nov 6th 2006 5:23PM
Over the weekend when i was at the Nintendo World store every setup was using RCA cables. I asked at first so you guys are using rgb with all the wii's and the manager said nope this is all RCA. I will also add that the picture was still pretty dam good. I don't think your really going to notice the difference between RCA and RGB on the wii. But I am still picking up the cables.
Teddy @ Nov 6th 2006 5:25PM
#38, I own a Samsung 27" HD crt.
And yes watching TV in 720p is so
much better than just 480p.
Anna @ Nov 6th 2006 5:53PM
#23 SG evaNERV,
Wait, i am that type of person... ;)
Actually I hooked my PS2 up via Coax, becuase I was out of composite spots on my old tv.
Old TV was
2 - Coax
3 - Composite
1 - Component
New TV is
1 - Coax
2 - 3 Composite
2 - Component
2 - HDMI
Though one of the HDMI... seems to use sound ports of one of the Components, when it needs seperate sound, not really sure, haven't touched it.
Current set up.
Coax - Empty
Composite 1 - N64
Composite 2 - PS2
Composite Front - Empty
Component 1 - Xbox 360
Component 2 - Gamecube / Wii
HDMI 1 - PVR
HDMI 2 - Empty
I look forward to upgrading the 360 to HDMI, since the tv only allows 1080P signals over HDMI for some reason
snapperdragon @ Nov 6th 2006 6:22PM
Well, I'm one of the people who got a cube late in life (last year) and it didn't have the digital connection or the one for component, so I had to use composite.
The nice thing about the Wii is that I should be able to play my cube games now with 480p output since my gcn does not have the connector.
Josh @ Nov 6th 2006 7:07PM
FREAK YEAH! Good thing for everyone picking up a Wii on launch day that would have had to wait a few days to have the component cables shipped to them before playing their new console if Perrin hadn't come along and saved us!
WEWT!
Impulse @ Nov 6th 2006 7:24PM
"2. Hahaha the 360 comes with loads of wicked cables. Stupid Nintendo still thinknig everyone uses black and white tvs."
First of all, most people don't even know the difference between composite and s-video, let alone component, not to mention that less than 10% of consumers even own a TV that can use them.
Your rant just goes to show how you believe the whole world is as big as your head. Well it's much bigger than that, my friend. It's guys who post in these game forums who actually know little about proper business strategies in the mass market. It's not about you or me, it's about THEM! The people who don't even know how to use the internet properly, and download crap to their computers causing them to die , making them believe they have to go out to the store and buy another one. That's why they don't produce useless crap just to sit on the store shelves only to be used as landfill. Most people are stupid and they don't understand why they should spend $40 for cables that will apparently make a difference, only they are too stupid to even see the difference.
Anonymous @ Nov 7th 2006 12:22AM
I don't know about this "component at retail at launch" bullshit. I work at Best Buy, so I know for a fact that we're NOT going to have Nintendo-brand component cables. We'll have React (shit) and Psyclone (great) cables, but not Nintendo.
Epsiloin @ Nov 7th 2006 1:05AM
*cough* Hi-def upgrade? *cough*
Samurai @ Nov 7th 2006 7:30AM
First things first: Awesome!
I had to buy the GameCube cables online, which wasn't too big of a deal. But... I bought an HDTV, and I want to play Zelda in HD as soon as I get the system.
As for if you can use the previous cables (GCN), you can't. These new Wii Component cables have the red and white audio cables, too. So you won't have two cables coming from the system (like the GCN).
Get ready for some sweet Wii action.
crono141 @ Nov 7th 2006 9:09AM
I spoke with the managers at my EB/GS, and they don't know anything about component cables. Seems like something they would know about seeing as we're 12 days from launch.
Like waiting for Christmas X 1000