Component Cables for the Wii

[VashHT]

I just wanted to hear some opinions on the component cables for the Wii (or more specifically 480p).

First off, when you use the component cables can the Wii do 480p on everything or just certain games? Just wondering since the ps2 would only allow it if the game did, though I imagine the Wii is different.

More importantly, does it improve the picture that much in games? I'm using a 37" 1080p screen, so I'd like to hear from ppl with a similar setup.

Lastly, are the 3rd party cables decent enough quality? I could get a 3rd party cable for about a 1/3 of the price of the official ones, but I've had some bad experiences with 3rd party stuff for consoles (though cables are pretty hard to screw up).

 

[Thraxen]

I believe the Wii does everything at 480p. And, yes, the cables make a noticeable difference. Everything from the dash to the games is cleaner and sharper. I've got the official component cables, but I've never really been burned by 3rd party cables in the past. We're still talking about 480p here (i.e. not HD), so I'm sure just about any brand would do just fine unless you have an abnormal amount interference in your set-up.

 

[mc866]

I got some Nyco, not sure if I spelled that correctly, cables off Amazon and they work great, I haven't tried a ton of games but Galaxy looked much better right away. I just got them installed last weekend. I've also heard it helps a lot with Gamecube games. This is on a 1080p 51" rear projection screen. Like Thraxen said the wii maxes out at 480p but it's still a noticeable difference compared to the standard cables. That and it's affordable, I think I got mine for less than $10 shipped.

 

[Xavier434]

Yes, component cables producing 480p for the Wii is a noticeable difference and well worth the minimal cost of the cables. Granted, you shouldn't except anything close to the difference that a 360 or PS3 will display when you upgrade from SD to HD but the difference will still be there. Also, the amount of difference does depend on the game, but I have yet to see a game played in 480p where the difference was not noticeable.

 

[spidey07]

The biggest difference is in color and edge detail with is a huge improvement. It's a HUGE difference.

 

[RandomFool]

I bought this cable very noticable difference even on my crappy non-HD tv.

 

[erwos]

Component cables help even on non-HDTVs, and even using 480i signal. And, FWIW, s-video can produce much of the same quality gain - it's just that the connector is more prone to breaking (due to the tiny little pins).

 

[randomlinh]

yes, get them. dunno about third party though, but I love monoprice. I was too impatient to wait for 3rd party cables and bought the official ones.

 

[ghost recon88]

Get them. I have those monoprice ones and they are the best ones out there, and for the price they can't be beat!

 

[MikeyLSU]

You should get them, but don't expect anything earthshattering. The change is not that great, but you should notice it.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: MikeyLSU
You should get them, but don't expect anything earthshattering. The change is not that great, but you should notice it.

Something is wrong then, it should be an earth shattering change. It's huge. Not just for the wii for for all thing video related.

 

[AstroManLuca]

It really depends on the TV. If you're on a nice one (and it looks like you are?37" @ 1080p, wow!), it should help a lot. If you're on a small non-HD CRT TV that just happens to have component inputs, it probably won't help. But either way, if your TV does have component inputs, why not use them? It can only help.

 

[R Nilla]

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
It really depends on the TV. If you're on a nice one (and it looks like you are?37" @ 1080p, wow!), it should help a lot. If you're on a small non-HD CRT TV that just happens to have component inputs, it probably won't help. But either way, if your TV does have component inputs, why not use them? It can only help.

I'm willing to bet it will help regardless. Using component cables with my PS2 definitely made a difference.

 

[Fox5]

Originally posted by: R Nilla

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
It really depends on the TV. If you're on a nice one (and it looks like you are?37" @ 1080p, wow!), it should help a lot. If you're on a small non-HD CRT TV that just happens to have component inputs, it probably won't help. But either way, if your TV does have component inputs, why not use them? It can only help.

I'm willing to bet it will help regardless. Using component cables with my PS2 definitely made a difference.

Shame here on my 27" 8 year old Phillips CRT. Of course, it's not even as good as a nice tv running the composite inputs, but noticeably better than running with composite on this TV. (big boost over svideo as well)

 

[cKGunslinger]

I just got the ones for Wii and PS2 and hooked them up to my 52" DLP (720p), but I really didn't notice much difference.

If anything, I think the PS2 looked worse when I switched to component-out.

 

[Dumac]

I saw a pretty noticeable boost in graphic quality

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Originally posted by: erwos
Component cables help even on non-HDTVs, and even using 480i signal. And, FWIW, s-video can produce much of the same quality gain - it's just that the connector is more prone to breaking (due to the tiny little pins).

I can vouch for this. I have a 27" CRT that has component inputs that I have tested the Wii out on and the quality is noticeably better - slightly sharper image and richer color.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

I saw a huge difference, definitely get them.

 

[biggestmuff]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: MikeyLSU
You should get them, but don't expect anything earthshattering. The change is not that great, but you should notice it.

Something is wrong then, it should be an earth shattering change. It's huge. Not just for the wii for for all thing video related.

While I agree that going to component cables is an improvement, I wouldn't call it earth shattering. Graphic edges and cleaner and more defined and colors popped a little more.

MikeyLSU and VashHT, once the new cables are installed be sure you go into the Wii menu and change the Wii's output from 480i to 480P.

 

[Baked]

I bought the Wii component cable from monoprice but don't have time to hook up my Wii yet. Still waiting for the wireless router to come in. Will report back when I get everything setup. But from experience, going from composite to component should get you a noticeable difference.

 

[Dangerer]

Games looked like blurry POS on my LCD display when I didn't have components. It looked so bad that even my girlfriend commented

 

[SpeedEng66]

it does make everything a little bit sharper and a little bit brighter (not a huge difference)
but does do something

 

[RandomFool]

I played with component/composite on my gf's new TV the other night. I have to say component was better but her TV did a really nice job with composite as well.

 

[batmang]

I bought GameStop's branded multi system component cable. It was $14.99 (link), definitely made a difference for my Wii. I have a 50" Sony Rear LCD Projection TV, 720p. Made a huge difference.

 

[zixxer]

At least in mario galaxy it actually looks slightly worse. The jaggies are really noticeable (no aa and all that) whilst the composite cable is so blurry that it's not as obvious.

I wonder if s-vid would be a good compromise *shudder*