cables
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Wii and the 480p connection
Confirming that 480p would be a go for launch, Nintendo stated that certain games would support component cables for progressive scan output. What we hadn't heard, however, was whether or not gamers with component cables for their GameCube would be able to utilize them with their Wii. Well, we finally got the answer, although it was not the exact answer we had been searching, and hoping, for.Component cables will have to be purchased for the console, which are only available for purchase online, and those with GC component cables will not be able to plug them into their Wii for use. Sad news for all the hopeful, we know. Online retail outlets where the cables may be purchased, for a sum of $29.99 US, are Best Buy, Circuit City, EB Games, and Nintendo's own online store.[Thanks WiiBoy2000 and Hiro!]
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]
Wii-cessory photos
As plays on the name go, "Wii-cessory" is probably not going to catch on, but y'know ... we're okay with that. It's so hard to come up with new witticisms when we're gazing upon the smooth, silky cables, so dark and lustrous. We can imagine how they'll slide through our fingers as we lovingly unwind them from their cruel and twisty knot of torture. The flat expanse of the sensor bar, just waiting, waiting for its place of honor atop our televisions. Ah, the pristine white shimmer of the nunchuk, so fresh and unspoiled by our grubby jam-hands. Oh, Wii. Why must we wait so long to be with you?[Thanks to creamsugar for the tip. The original site seems to be experiencing intermittent downtime, so we're linking to Go Nintendo's pictures. Look out for some severe watermarking, however.]
Mini HDMI cable shown at CEDIA
Just when as we were getting used to HDMI, a new mini-HDMI cable hits the street, designed to be used on digital camcorders and cellphones cameras. Accell has just come out with the first seven-foot long "HDMI Mini" cable, demoing it at CEDIA -- where our best buds at HDBeat caught a first glimpse of its zippy AV transfer action. We still don't know what these things will cost or when they'll actually be available in stores -- not a huge deal yet, as compatible devices are few and far between -- but we're pretty sure that we'll pay a premium for the added convenience, as with most things in life.[Via HDBeat]Update: We just got an email from Accell alerting us to the fact that we were mistaken in stating that this was for cellphones. We apologize for the error and have corrected it.
Cheaper PS3 loses HDMI, slots, Wi-Fi, 40GB
As you can see above, there are a few things different between the two PS3 SKUs planned. (Hint: the obvious alterations concern high-def output and wireless connectivity -- though Bluetooth controllers should work just fine with both, with or without any chrome case highlighting.)So what's HDMI, built-in multimedia card-reader slots, wireless internet connectivity, and an extra 40 gigabytes' hard disk space worth to you? $100? Now that Sony's gone with the 2-SKU approach with its next-gen hardware (a la the Xbox 360's premium and "Core" systems), we can expect some tough consumer choices after six months -- with console shortages possibly for another six months after that -- as $100 separates the base $499 and premium $599 versions of Sony's "Clear Black" hope.HDMI is important to those who want to take full advantage of Blu-ray high def and have the new screens to use it; MemoryStick, SD, and CompactFlash slots would be nice for the PS3 memory-card users and those will run multimedia on the system; Wi-Fi's the only way to avoid stringing ethernet cables for online access; and 360 owners might appreciate the full 60GB available to potential buyers of the premium PS3 model. Neither model comes with a second HDMI port; thankfully, one should hopefully be all most users need. The details are laid out in a feature-comparison table at the end of Sony's official PS3 hardware press release, available in both Adobe Reader and Microsoft Word formats. Determine what's most important to your PS3 ambitions there.[Image pieced together from the PlayStation.com forums; thanks, Guru]
XCM360 5 output cable has five outputs!
Constantly moving your 360 from screen to screen? VGA connection in the office, component downstairs, S-video at Grandma's place, regular old composite in the laundry room? No, you don't? Neither do we...but apparently somebody does, 'cause Team Xtender's new XCM360 5 Output Cable provides five separate output methods for your 360 all in one cable! There's no price or release date info yet, but considering how overpriced mind-numbingly marked-up first-party console cables are, it wouldn't surprise us if this ended up being competitively priced. Team Xtender is also offering the XCM Multi-Console Component Cable, a cable with component connections on one end and PS2, Xbox, and Xbox 360 connections on the other. This I can wrap my brain around.For some reason Team Xtender's site doesn't support permalinks to entries, so you'll have to scroll down to the post to read it. [Via Xbox360.qj.net]
Where to get A/V cables
Many, and I mean, many of you have left comments concerning where to get cables for your HDTV. Monoprice.com has been a favorite of many of you but there are other places when quality is a concern. Don't get me wrong, a lot of the cables that Monoprice sells are good but, lets be honest here, there are better out there. A couple of months ago we showed you how to make great quality component cables. BlueJeansCable.com takes out all the guess work, and fun, of constructing these cables. They use Belden cables with Canare ends; just like we did. Last but not least is Monster Cable. Say what you will but these are great cables. Yes, they cost a good amount of money and sometimes their business practices can be questionable, but they make one heck of a cable. HDMI, DVI, and optical are digital so cheap low-priced should preform as good as expensive ones, right? Not from my experiences. Radio shack was clearencing out some cables so I picked up a few optical/s-video kits only to return them as the optical cable just did not sound right. I found it is all in the connector so before you order that ultra-low price HDMI cable, make sure it has a good connector.
The happiest iPod cables you've ever seen
When manufacturers have created every single iPod accessory that could possibly be conceived, what's left? Why, the cables, of course!Check out the CableGuys iPod cables by Speck. You can grab a set of AV cables for $19.95US, a USB-to-iPod (dock connector) cable for $19.95US or a three pack including a headphone splitter, iPod-to-stereo and a 1/8" mini to 1/8" mini cable for $24.95US. Each cable bears a happy, smiling face what will make you feel so pleased to be using your iPod. Or something. [Via Joshua]
