http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/ Engadget Comments for Wii sensor bar hax0red http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/
Dave]]>Feb 17th 2008 2:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Nov 21st 2006 9:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Nov 21st 2006 9:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Nov 21st 2006 9:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Nov 21st 2006 9:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Nov 21st 2006 10:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Nov 21st 2006 9:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Nov 21st 2006 9:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/
I can't even get one and already, we've seen it smashed and now hacked.

WHINE, WHINE, WHINE... OK, I'm through.]]>Nov 21st 2006 9:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Nov 22nd 2006 1:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Jan 8th 2007 2:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/
IR, is there anything it can't do? :)]]>Nov 21st 2006 9:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Nov 21st 2006 9:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Nov 21st 2006 9:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Nov 21st 2006 9:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Nov 21st 2006 9:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/
Nice start though. It kinda makes the Wiimote seem a little more sophisticated than the SIXAXIS (Don't worry, I like the PS3 too).]]>Nov 21st 2006 10:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Nov 21st 2006 10:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Nov 21st 2006 10:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/
Someone enlighten me.]]>Nov 21st 2006 10:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Nov 21st 2006 10:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Nov 22nd 2006 10:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Nov 21st 2006 10:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/
I'm proposing that the "Sensor Bar" sends data through the array of iR beams that help the Wiimote better triangulate its position. By sending different signals through different iR beams, the WiiMote reads the data and, based upon the data or combination of data, can determine its position.

e.g. The far left iR might send a specific code to indicate the far left side. If the WiiMote picks up this code (or combination of codes) it can triangulate its position.

Again, it's a good start and maybe someone out there that knows about iR can shed some light on this (no pun intended).]]>Nov 21st 2006 10:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Nov 21st 2006 10:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Nov 22nd 2006 12:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/
I'm pretty certain that the front of the Wii-Mote doesn't contain any IR receivers. It's a camera that picks up the IR light. So I doubt that the IR transmitters are sending data.]]>Nov 22nd 2006 11:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/My TV has a USB port.
USB ports carry power.
I could mount IR emitters in in stylish black cases that will not distract from my TV.
Mount them (somehow) on the sides of my TV in the middle and possibly have better pointing when I use the Wiimote.

However I don't know if the Wii will function properly with the two emitters far apart (61" TV). Though I'm sure that some company is already hammering out a manufacturing deal to build the same thing as I type this. ]]>Nov 22nd 2006 9:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/
http://www.informit.com/articles/article.asp?p=677908&seqNum=3&rl=1

big:

http://www.informit.com/content/images/art_fogie_insidewii/elementLinks/wiifig26.jpg

It's just a bunch of LEDs.

You know it's not sending any data since it works fine with any other IR source.
It's just a CMOS (camera) sensor in the Wii-mote. That's all. No magic.]]>Nov 21st 2006 11:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/
Anyone care to sacrifice their Wii on this little experiment?

At any rate, the Wii still sounds cool and has created some innovation in at least one area of gameplay.]]>Nov 21st 2006 11:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/
Nah, that's no big deal.]]>Nov 23rd 2006 1:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/If that's the case, rivals could disrupt a game by pointing an IR device at the player. Those tiny (concealed) 'TV-off' keychain remotes could come in handy...]]>Nov 21st 2006 11:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Nov 22nd 2006 12:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Nov 22nd 2006 1:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Nov 22nd 2006 2:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Nov 22nd 2006 2:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/
At least with the DS, developers have a fall-back in that they can create a game just as they would have before, essentially rendering the innovation null. And if you want to talk to me about how that's NOT innovation and it wasn't Nintendo's intended purpose, I point you to one of the best-selling DS games made: New Super Mario Bros. Not only is it a 1st-party title, but it also makes very little necessary (or unique) use of the available screen. (And yes, I've completed this game with 3 stars.) Obviously, this isn't ideal, but it proves even the mothership doesn't rely on its own "innovation" as a way of making great games.

To me, Nintendo's BEST innovation, they're genius lies in two things: 1. making this console profitable right off the bat, and 2. selling it.

Boy, I really, really hope some good stuff comes out for Wii, I really do. I really, really want this antiquated machine to succeed just as the DS did.

By the way, I should mention that overall, I'm truly disappointed by this entire generation of consoles--so far. This is the first time I haven't been sold on a new system, I swear to you, since the NES--and what's worse is this is the first time I've ever been old enough to really afford one on my own!

Every launch since then has been exciting one way or another. In '95 and '00, I was SO, SO excited about the Playstations 1 & 2. I'm totally unimpressed with the 3, and Sony has totally alienated me (much like the original XBox) by doing an all 'round rushed hack-job on what could have been an amazing experience--and then telling me to pay $600 for it after dodging bullets on a freezing line. Again, I SO hope this thing succeeds. Needless to say, I will NOT own either this OR a Wii until they are proven.

As for the XBox 360, if I didn't have such a bad taste in my mouth from Part 1, I might consider it if there were more games to my liking. Both the Blade interface and the Live service are stellar, so far as my limited experience has proved. And if I hadn't been playing on Dual Shock's to the point of tattooed X's and O's on my thumb, I might even concede the comfort of the 360's controller.

I guess we'll see. For now, it's back to re-re-re-playing FFVII. ]]>Nov 22nd 2006 4:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Nov 22nd 2006 5:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/
Plus, it's not an IR sensor, it's an IR camera. If you go into the Sensitivity Settings what you're looking at is a live picture of the remote. The two dots are the IR LEDs from the sensor bar. If you point a TV remote at your wiimote and hit a button, you can see the IR blast from it.]]>Nov 22nd 2006 3:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/
Ideas?]]>Nov 22nd 2006 3:21AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Nov 22nd 2006 4:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Dec 12th 2006 5:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/
The sensor bar's purpose is to help the machine determine the position of the cursor on the screen through triangulation. It has nothing to do with filling in any blanks where other components fail. ]]>Nov 22nd 2006 4:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/
"...gung-ho..."

"...their genius..."

I'm sure there are more. Sorry.]]>Nov 22nd 2006 4:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/
"Axes" is the plural form of "axis," not "axeses," Gilbert, you moron.

Sorry again.]]>Nov 22nd 2006 5:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/
The Wiimote could not point very well if it did not have its internal sensors too.

Nintendo does a pretty good job of explaining this in the "Iwata Aks" section on the wii website.]]>Nov 22nd 2006 5:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/
But since the tracking system is IR, doesn't the Wiimote loose track if it's hidden behind an arm, a chair a hand, or if it's not pointing towards the emitter etc? Or are the IR beams like rays that can be seen through the air like sci fi laser beams?

I'm glad it's just an IR emitter / receptor, this draws very little battery. And for you who said it's not so sophisticated after all... I think it's really sophisticated to use super cheap technology for a new use. Really well designed.]]>Nov 22nd 2006 7:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/
I guess one way to tell if the two IR beams are differentiated would be to flip the Sensor Bar over and see what the Wii yells at you... since it would know from the remote's sensors that the remote wasn't the one upside down...]]>Nov 22nd 2006 9:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/Nov 22nd 2006 10:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/21/wii-sensor-bar-hax0red/
The Power Glove used an ultrasonic three-point array to similar effect years ago. Some of those guys went on to make the P5 Glove, an IR-based reimplementation which relied on a large IR tower and quite a few IR LEDs on the glove itself. The P5 did have similar motion sensing capabilities, though.

Both of these things track like garbage, and the P5 is only a few years old. The pointer stutters, it loses sync all the time, and the hardware is painfully bulky, and it's not even wireless!

I bought a post-closeout P5 for $25. They originally sold for over $100, as I recall. For $60, I get a controller with 9 buttons, a D-Pad, an analog stick, and it's wireless. By comparison, the Wavebird went for what, $35? It had 8 buttons, a D-Pad, and two sticks. That extra $25 covers the speaker, the rumble, two separate sets of accelerometers for both the Nunchuk and the Remote, AND the IR triangulation hardware. It's sending a lot more data than any other console controller, so it's probably driving it at a higher bandwidth, bumping up the cost of your hardware even further.

You see a kiddie controller with no real innovation. I see the first consumer-grade 3D mouse that actually works.]]>Nov 22nd 2006 10:18AM