Some more on the Wiicessories line -- cables and adapters, oh my!

You guys all know by now how obsessed with the minutiae we are -- peep the first pics we've yet seen of the Wii accessories line. Clockwise from upper left, we have pictured the Wii power adapter (RVL-A-AD - ¥3,000), Wii Ethernet adapter (RVL-A-UE - ¥2,800), Wii 512MB SD card (RVL-A-SD1 - ¥3,800), yet-unidentified video-out cables (RVL-A-KD - ¥2,500), component video cables (RVL-A-KC - ¥2,500), S-Video cables (RVL-A-KS - ¥2,500), and classic composite video cables (RVL-A-KT - ¥1,000). Ok, carry on everybody.

[Thanks, MED]

[Reid @ Oct 11th 2006 8:21PM]

Ugh. A brick.

I hope it's not effing huge like the 360's.

[Jonah Bliss @ Oct 11th 2006 8:21PM]

looks to me like the unidentified cable is a vga/computer monitor plug...

[Scott @ Oct 11th 2006 8:22PM]

Sorry #2, but the page says the unidentified cable is a D-terminal connection.

[Chaz @ Oct 11th 2006 8:28PM]

Component cables? Wii + component cables = no more eBay component cables for GameCube over $50.

[DaveTehWave @ Oct 11th 2006 8:29PM]

# 3 is correct:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D4_video_connector

D4 , D-tanshi (Ｄ端子), or D-Terminal, is a type of analog video connector found on Japanese consumer electronics, typically HDTV, DVD, Blu-ray, D-VHS and HD DVD devices. It was developed by the EIAJ (Electronic Industry Association of Japan) for use in digital satellite broadcast tuners. In appearance it is a small flat trapezoid connector, the same connector as the AAUI connector used by Apple Computer for some time to connect to ethernet. A D4 connector carries a Component video signal (Y Pr Pb). A device with a D4 connector can understand and display the following video signals:

* Japanese D1 video - 525i (480i).
* Japanese D2 video - 525p (480p).
* Japanese D3 video - 1125i (1080i/1035i).
* Japanese D4 video - 750p (720p).

Future D5 connectors will additionally support 1125p (1080p).

It is possible to use a simple breakout cable to connect a D4 connector to a world standard 3 RCA jack or BNC component connection.

[DaveTehWave @ Oct 11th 2006 8:30PM]

I really hope M$ and Nintendo get on board w/ HDMI.

I 'm sick of analouge hookups...

[sosumi @ Oct 11th 2006 8:44PM]

So much for recycling my GameCube component cables. I just hope Nintendo decides to sell these in regular stores for a change.

[jorge @ Oct 11th 2006 8:52PM]

So the Wii requires you to buy a seperate ethernet adapter in order to go online???? Wow....now that sucks. Also, can someone please convert these yen prices into US dollars?

[Kyp @ Oct 11th 2006 9:06PM]

I'm pretty sure the Wii has built in WiFi so you only need the eathernet plug if you don't currently have WiFi around you.

[BiG� @ Oct 11th 2006 8:53PM]

Anyone know if D4 carries EDID information? I hope so, because otherwise, it looks like future a HDMI cable is unlikely. But a VGA cable would be nice :-/

[jc @ Oct 11th 2006 8:53PM]

seperate ethernet port for 2800 yen ftl...

[sosumi @ Oct 11th 2006 9:02PM]

Wifi is in the box and is intended to be the primary online mechanism. Probably because Nintendo figures the people their targeting don't want to run CAT5 to the tv.

[jdrom @ Oct 11th 2006 9:08PM]

Here's those price conversions:

RVL-A-AD - �3,000 = $25.06
RVL-A-UE - �2,800 = $23.39
RVL-A-SD1 - �3,800 = $31.74
RVL-A-KD - �2,500 = $20.88
RVL-A-KC - �2,500 = $20.88
RVL-A-KS - �2,500 = $20.88
RVL-A-KT - �1,000 = $8.35

Based on 1 JPY = 0.00835330 USD

[Regbo @ Oct 11th 2006 9:11PM]

If the Wii is not that much more powerful then a gamecube, will HDMI really be necessary? Maybe for upscaled DVD's?

[Tech^Cellfish @ Oct 12th 2006 6:50AM]

It wont play DVD's (to keep costs down)

[kazooie @ Oct 11th 2006 9:18PM]

Does that ethernet port look like CAT5 to USB??

Maybe I can use one I already have

[Vince Tran @ Oct 11th 2006 9:22PM]

If you look at the power brick in comparison to the actual plug, it looks relatively small, perhaps the size of your hand?

As for the weight...

[Piddy @ Oct 11th 2006 9:28PM]

Are we sure the GameCube component cables won't work with the Wii? The plastic part looks like it's bigger, but the coonector itself looks like it might be the right size.
It's a good thing I didn't pay for my less than a year old NGC component cables, (complaining to Ninetendo's customer service department actually got me them free!!)I'd be miffed if I had to shell out $50.00 for another set.

[SpeZek @ Oct 11th 2006 9:32PM]

Piddy, the gamecube component cables will not work because they use the seperate anologue connections (the red and white ones on the normal RCA cable)

*The More You Know*

[James @ Oct 11th 2006 9:32PM]

Why would Nintendo charge you for the power adapter? Doesn't the Wii come with one already? Or is everything extras these days? Or everyone needs a second power adapter?

[Jon A. @ Oct 11th 2006 9:35PM]

This is for if you lose your power brick. Same thing goes for the composite cables.

[Karen @ Oct 12th 2006 9:27AM]

It's for if you want an extra one. I usually have my AC cords threaded through my wall unit and it's a huge pain to pull it out if I want to take my console anywhere. I will buy an extra AC brick, it's nice that they are selling them. Microsoft still isn't selling an extra 360 power brick, on ebay they go for a kings ransom.

[Piddy @ Oct 11th 2006 9:42PM]

SpeZek, you're right! The GC component cables only carry the video signal, BUMMER! Add $50 to my Wii price :(

[James @ Oct 11th 2006 10:57PM]

How many people actually lost their power brick to their consoles? I doubt anyone would lose the 360 brick. You can spot it from a mile away.

[Jon A. @ Oct 11th 2006 9:39PM]

I know that I am not the only person that thinks that Nintendo is truly ripping off Japanese costumers with their branded SD cards.

[Jon A. @ Oct 11th 2006 9:45PM]

If they are about $20 in Japan, what makes you think NoA will be pricing them $50 here. That's kind of insane. I mean only Europe ever sees those kinds of mar ups! :D

[Piddy @ Oct 11th 2006 10:31PM]

Jon A. ...because when I complained to NOA about not being able to buy NGC component cables in a store, they suggested I order them direct for $39.99 plus $10 shipping ($50 Canadian, even with with our stronger dollar). Not to mention they were on back order anyway ... hence the ebay reference earlier. Hopefully Nintendo understands that some people do have HDTVs and that even with S-video cables the games look so bad, they are almost unplayble. They should be available in stores at launch, not via special order from NOA. I'm willing to pay a reasonable price, just don't make me jump through hoops to get them.

[pgl @ Oct 11th 2006 9:47PM]

its not like the SD card is proprietary. this is a first for a console maker to use a non-proprietary memory card. i give nintendo the thumbs up for that. so yeah, the card is expensive but at least you have options now.

[Dan @ Oct 11th 2006 10:00PM]

Newegg for SD cards. eWiz has good deals sometimes on flash memory.

[Kris @ Oct 11th 2006 10:09PM]

Yeah, you fools - the whole point of the Wii is to use the built in wifi.

[Mathew @ Oct 11th 2006 10:20PM]

Shouldn't a component cable come standard nowadays? I mean it's just three RCA's tethered together.

[Jimmy Palmer @ Oct 11th 2006 10:20PM]

Some of us will not be able to use WiFi Kris -
We do not yet know what options are available for connecting to wireless networks. I have my WiFi locked down with radius authentication - doubt they are going to support that. So add another $30 to my Wii for the online experience.

[Betatester @ Oct 11th 2006 10:24PM]

gcn and wii connection for videos is different, nintendo said they are more advance.... anyway i want some good ol VGA... i read that you can mod the d terminal to vga for gcn but only games with progressive scan worked....maybe that wont be an issue with wii.....

[Richard @ Oct 12th 2006 12:07AM]

Additional power supplies are very useful if you move the console between more then one TV or house etc.

[theinvisiblemooseman @ Oct 12th 2006 12:25AM]

James, why is the thought of nintendo selling a power supply bothering you so much?

[Dave Brown @ Oct 12th 2006 12:48AM]

It seems to be after all of the accessories that you need to buy to even compare to the ps3 or even the 360 the price margin grows smaller each and every day.

[theinvisiblemooseman @ Oct 12th 2006 4:01AM]

What are you talking about?

[rob @ Oct 12th 2006 12:59AM]

a wii sd card? why do they even bother?

[vertigo_phreeze @ Oct 17th 2006 7:29PM]

the same reason they brand some headphones as being "compatible with iPod!"...its for the uneducated savages.

[OM @ Oct 12th 2006 12:59AM]

"I know that I am not the only person that thinks that Nintendo is truly ripping off Japanese costumers with their branded SD cards."

I'm not really suprised with that. It's like if you buy one of those memory sticks that say they're for PSP when you can really shop around and find one bigger for cheaper. It's all the same stuff, they just hope people are stupid enough to think only a card with Wii on it will work.

[Simon @ Oct 12th 2006 2:57AM]

Nice to see Nintendo is trying to cover all their bases with these cables, but is anyone else wondering what happened to that promised VGA Adaptor?

[Mr.Blonde @ Oct 12th 2006 6:48AM]

PSU looks to be the same size as the GameCube one.

[Andrew @ Oct 12th 2006 12:01PM]

Christ that's a huge USB to Ethernet adapter. Other companies are making them the size of thumbdrives now.

[greg @ Oct 12th 2006 12:08PM]

i may be stupid but... isnt that just a vga cable?

[Woody56292 @ Oct 12th 2006 4:20PM]

oops I forgot wifi was built in.... =P

[Woody56292 @ Oct 12th 2006 4:20PM]

sweet....
At least the power supply is smaller than my 360's.
( what on earth I didn't even realize that the wii didn't have a built in ethernet port, bummer... )

[Dave Pevsner @ Oct 12th 2006 5:29PM]

OK so, people were saying PS3 is expensive at 600 dollars. Microsoft's HDDVD player for the 360 costs 200 dollars, which means a 360 with the HDDVD player taking up extra space costs as much as the premium pack of the PS3, which has a familiar PSP-like UI, compatibility with PS2 and playstation games, and a built-in Blu-Ray player. Wii still looked cheap. Enter wii add-on ethernet adapter? Even if it's only 30 dollars, it's unsightly, especially if your Wii(or your home entertainment system) is any combination of colors that clashes with white. Next thing you know, they'll be selling the games on SD cards. 40 dollars for 512MB of data, that means no hi-def for the same price as a 360 game or a PS3 game AND they're asking for piracy. And don't even get me started on the sensor bar. Performance in bright light is iffy, the device is unsightly, AND it's an extra thing to buy.

[superstewy @ Oct 12th 2006 6:29PM]

The sensor bar isn't a extra thing to buy and they aren't going to sell games on SD cards. Quit your complaining. Does your 360 clash with your entertainment system too? Oh sorry, you're just a PS3 fanboy.

[KiwiNick @ Oct 15th 2006 10:22PM]

SD card = first hope for "homebrew" hehe.

[John Lewis @ Oct 16th 2006 2:44PM]

It's very nice that they are actually supplying a D4 cable. Now I can finally plug something into that port on my TV!