How big of a difference do the component cables for the Wii make?

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Queasy

Queasy

Moderator<br>Console Gaming
Aug 24, 2001
31,796
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Like the title says, how much of a difference do the component cables make? Do you only get widescreen if you use the component for example? Trying to see if I should spend the money on them or not. I feel like I've spent a crapton on the Wii and games for both kids already.

Got the Wii ($202 after 30% Live Cashback), Super Smash Brothers, Super Mario Kart, Wii Play, combo pack with a nunchuck and the Nyko Wing controller, Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz (my daughter loves SMB for the Xbox) and a <mumble>Disney Princess Game</mumble>.

All of this was either on sale or bought used to save money. I'm not planning on getting Gamecube Controllers yet. Maybe later.
 
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Auryg

Platinum Member
Dec 28, 2003
2,377
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Do you have an EDTV/HDTV? If so, then it's a HUGE difference..get them.

If you just have a standard definition TV with component in it's still noticeably better, but I wouldn't say it's essential.
 
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dum

Senior member
Oct 11, 2001
352
0
76
I agree, the component cables make a huge difference on an HDTV. You can pick up the ones at monoprice for less than half what a retailer charges.
 
Queasy

Queasy

Moderator<br>Console Gaming
Aug 24, 2001
31,796
2
0
Originally posted by: dum
You can pick up the ones at monoprice for less than half what a retailer charges.
Click to expand...

Good tip. I didn't even realize that monoprice sold Wii cables. I already had some stuff added to my monoprice shopping cart. Just added these for $3.52. :)
 
StageLeft

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
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Component or HDMI vs the "yellow" normal video is such a difference that once you go to it you'd potentially have a hard time enjoying a game again without it. It's like AM vs FM sound quality.
 
mc866

mc866

Golden Member
Dec 15, 2005
1,410
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Originally posted by: Xellos2099
Do I need the official component cables or will the one from monoprice be the same quality?

http://www.monoprice.com/produ...id=3706&seq=1&format=2
Click to expand...

Mono price has quality cables, no need to spend the extra $$ on "official" cables, they will function the same.

I'm just pissed I paid $30 for the 4 in 1 cable at wally world over thanksgiving just to play some rock band with the fam, didn't have time to wait for the shipping and thought I had a cable that would work.
 
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Xavier434

Lifer
Oct 14, 2002
10,373
1
0
You will not regret your purchase. I was very pleased with the difference they made when I bought mine.
 
Kabob

Kabob

Lifer
Sep 5, 2004
15,248
0
76
I bought a Wii when they first came out and there was a shortage of component cables. I sold the system before the cables arrived...but it looked shoddy on a 56" HDTV (not surprised). I've heard it's a good deal better with component.
 
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erwos

Diamond Member
Apr 7, 2005
4,778
0
76
The monoprice cables are rather substantial, so I wouldn't think you'll have a problem with them. Certainly, I've not noticed a difference between those and the official ones - albeit I haven't done a 1:1 comparison on the same TV, so take that with a grain of salt.
 
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biggestmuff

Diamond Member
Mar 20, 2001
8,201
2
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It's a small difference. I'm not sure why everyone is claiming otherwise. I play on a 61" Samsung DLP. On a screen that size graphical differences are easy to distinguish. THe Wii is still outputting 480P. Lots of jaggies. Anywho, the component cables clean up some of the fuzziness on the edges of graphics and the colors are a little more vibrant and seem to pop more.

 
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erwos

Diamond Member
Apr 7, 2005
4,778
0
76
Originally posted by: biggestmuff
It's a small difference. I'm not sure why everyone is claiming otherwise. I play on a 61" Samsung DLP. On a screen that size graphical differences are easy to distinguish. THe Wii is still outputting 480P. Lots of jaggies. Anywho, the component cables clean up some of the fuzziness on the edges of graphics and the colors are a little more vibrant and seem to pop more.
Click to expand...
I don't think anyone's claiming that it's going to do miracles - but getting a sharper image and better color for the price of a component cable is a pretty reasonable deal.

Now, if you really want to see something, try running it through a dedicated upscaler device. I was pleasantly surprised with the results - not exactly a PS3 or 360 by a long shot, but a decided improvement.
 
StageLeft

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
You know, I thought of a better analogy. Going to component is like going from rubber to raw. Yes, it is.
 
I

imported_TimBob

Member
Aug 28, 2006
175
0
0
Originally posted by: biggestmuff
It's a small difference. I'm not sure why everyone is claiming otherwise. I play on a 61" Samsung DLP. On a screen that size graphical differences are easy to distinguish. THe Wii is still outputting 480P. Lots of jaggies. Anywho, the component cables clean up some of the fuzziness on the edges of graphics and the colors are a little more vibrant and seem to pop more.
Click to expand...

I don't think the Wii will be outputting 480p unless you have the component cables.
 
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Xavier434

Lifer
Oct 14, 2002
10,373
1
0
Originally posted by: TimBob
Originally posted by: biggestmuff
It's a small difference. I'm not sure why everyone is claiming otherwise. I play on a 61" Samsung DLP. On a screen that size graphical differences are easy to distinguish. THe Wii is still outputting 480P. Lots of jaggies. Anywho, the component cables clean up some of the fuzziness on the edges of graphics and the colors are a little more vibrant and seem to pop more.
Click to expand...

I don't think the Wii will be outputting 480p unless you have the component cables.
Click to expand...

Correct. It is 480p with the component cables and 480i without.
 
ghost recon88

ghost recon88

Diamond Member
Oct 2, 2005
6,196
1
81
For some reason, my Wii looks better in 480i mode...

I have it hooked up to my 24" LCD with the Wii set to widescreen mode. 480p makes a bunch of little faint horizontal lines run across the screen, but as soon as I switch it to 480i its fine...I don't even switch cables, I just leave the components plugged in and switch to 480i. Any ideas on why that may be?
 
S

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
Originally posted by: ghost recon88
For some reason, my Wii looks better in 480i mode...

I have it hooked up to my 24" LCD with the Wii set to widescreen mode. 480p makes a bunch of little faint horizontal lines run across the screen, but as soon as I switch it to 480i its fine...I don't even switch cables, I just leave the components plugged in and switch to 480i. Any ideas on why that may be?
Click to expand...

That's your TV having a crappy scaler.
 
ghost recon88

ghost recon88

Diamond Member
Oct 2, 2005
6,196
1
81
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: ghost recon88
For some reason, my Wii looks better in 480i mode...

I have it hooked up to my 24" LCD with the Wii set to widescreen mode. 480p makes a bunch of little faint horizontal lines run across the screen, but as soon as I switch it to 480i its fine...I don't even switch cables, I just leave the components plugged in and switch to 480i. Any ideas on why that may be?
Click to expand...

That's your TV having a crappy scaler.
Click to expand...

Interesting. Why exactly would that be? I mean there's no resolution difference between 480i and 480p.
 
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