When we heard that candles (indeed, any light source) could be used as a replacement for the Wii sensor bar, we go to thinking about how this information could be used during the candle-filled holiday of Hanukkah. After some quick experimentation, we found that a Hanukkah menorah makes for a pretty good Wii sensor bar, even if there are more than two candles.
While Kwanzaa celebrators can probably point their remotes at their Kinaras with similar effect, Christian gamers with a Christmas tree near their entertainment center are out of luck.
Video confirmation of the Wii's miracle of lights is posted below for all you doubting Thomases out there.
[Update: changed the picture to one of a more traditional Hanukkah menorah.]
If you've simply got to have a wireless sensor bar for your Wii and you don't want to test your homeowners insurance policy with ye olde candles or your health insurance policy with those new fangled soldering irons, then consider spending $31 (after shipping and handling) to get one of these homemade -- but not necessarily unsightly -- wireless sensor bars for your Wii. A simple 9-volt battery earns you 48 hours of wireless Wii-ing. We're pretty sure Nintendo has at least one health and safety warning regarding 48-hour gaming marathons, so we'd urge you to spread those 48 hours out over a period of, say, three days.
We can't argue with how cool wireless stuff is, but we're wondering when someone is going to make the obvious solution: a wall wart power adapter with a sensor-bar female connection. Anyone buying?
Forget about our earlier installment of DIY-erless where we encouraged you to use perforated boards, light-emitting diodes, and a fusible metal alloy to recreate the functionality of the Wii's currently wired "sensor" bar. Forget about the video where we (perhaps irresponsibly) showed you how to use candles to duplicate the "sensor" bar's functionality (note: Joystiq is not responsible for any damage to your slacks, your brand-new plasma television, or your long-haired pets and/or relatives). Instead, about $8 worth of materials from the local Transistor Hut should be all you need to make that "sensor" bar easily portable -- not to be confused with potable (note: Joystiq is not responsible for you trying to drink your video game accessory). Here's what you need to pick up:
Wii sensor bar (in case you trash yours or want a spare): $10
Those in hand, the folks at the AVS forum tell us it's as simple as cutting, crimping, and plugging. Voila! A do-it-yourself wireless Wii "sensor" bar, perfect for accompanying you on your evangelical missions to spread the Gospel of Wii.
A word of caution: you might need to reconsider where you position your Christmas tree. One Joystiq reader -- some call him Tim -- has tipped us off to some trouble he has been having playing Twilight Princess while a light-laden Christmas tree laid lovingly next to his TV. Turns out, his cursor was jumping "ALL OVER the place" and he has sent us pictures to prove it.
Continue reading for the evidence. And remember to keep your Christmas tree away from the Wiimote. It's probably good Feng Shui, anyways.
After seeing the popular, though dubious, candle video on YouTube over the weekend, we had to verify the veracity of the video's claims; luckily, a candelabra was conveniently on hand. Thrill! As we control the fairy cursor and boomerang in Zelda: Twilight Princess without the aid of the Wii's sensor bar! Marvel! As we blow out the candles and have the Wii request that we "point the Wii Remote at the screen." If you've got a projection screen, but lack the skillz (and/or motivation) to construct the DIY-erless sensor bar, grab a couple tealights to get your game on. It really works!
Today's hottest game video uses a low-tech wax solution to replace the Wii sensor bar. In a darkened room, light two candles (Tommy by the Who optional), and you've got an instant Wii sensor bar replacement. Simple infrared science at work, folks.
You can also replace the Wii console with a block of cheese. The word is out, Nintendo ... sorry.
Check out the video after the jump and stock up on fanboy scented candles. If the technical difficulty gremlins are still active, check out the video here.
We had some trouble with the Wii's wired sensor bar when playing on a projection television; even if the wire is long enough, you're left with the problem of having another wire to route around your furniture. Those without high-def projectors may scoff while explaining that this really isn't the sort of problem they would mind having but, nevertheless, we mind.
In the latest installment of DIY-erless -- our ongoing look at do-it-yourself wireless hacks -- we check out DoctaBu's guide for making your own wireless Wii sensor bar. Of course, we know that it's not really a "sensor" bar but a pair of infrared sources that the Wii-mote uses to triangulate the cursor's position. Using a perfboard, some IR LEDs, some wire, and four AA batteries, one can easily create their own projector-friendly Wii sensor bar.
Sure, you could always wait for that rumored retail solution, but wouldn't you rather make your own to match those homemade Wii component cables you've got rigged up. Check out a video of the process after the break.
Maxconsole has picked up on a rumor that Nyko is developing a cable-free Wii sensor bar using 2.4GHz wireless technology, with a 30-foot range. The device is expected to retail for $30 and, if it does hit the market, could be the solution to our dilemma (see Update 3). Our bet's on Nintendo snipping the cord for a future sensor bar model too.
Nintendo Wii's sensor bar goes awry when confronted with natural light, according to a report by a "Warpstar Knight" on the Nintendo NSIDER Forums. The impressions, from OMBRENOIR17's September 14 visit to the Nintendo World Store (soon to be posted on Nintendo Gal), reveal that Mother Nature's carcinogen forced Metroid Prime 3 kiosks under curtains and completely shut down Wii Sports Tennis and Shooting Game. The kiosks returned to normal as soon as the bright star took a few steps back.
It is as of yet unclear how garlic affects Wiimote functionality or load times.
[Update 1: A representative for Nintendo told 1UP, "our testing thus far shows no great risk of light interference when playing a game that relies on the pointer and sensor bar."]
When we heard that candles (indeed, any light source) could be used as a replacement for the Wii sensor bar, we go to thinking about how this information could be used during the candle-filled holiday of Hanukkah. After some quick experimentation, we found that a Hanukkah menorah makes for a pretty good Wii sensor bar, even if there are more than two candles.
Nintendo Wii's sensor bar goes awry when confronted with natural light, according to a report by a "Warpstar Knight" on the Nintendo NSIDER Forums. The impressions, from OMBRENOIR17's September 14 visit to the Nintendo World Store (soon to be posted on Nintendo Gal), reveal that Mother Nature's carcinogen forced Metroid Prime 3 kiosks under curtains and completely shut down Wii Sports Tennis and Shooting Game. The kiosks returned to normal as soon as the bright star took a few steps back.
