Some time ago, we told you about a new accessory which would allow you to connect your Wii to a display using HDMI or DV-I. In addition, it can upscale video from the system's native 480i resolution up as far as 1080p. The VD-31 from VDGI Electronics is that product.
We got our hands on one and put it through its paces. How well does it work? Read on and find out.
The VD-W3 is a rather unassuming little device. On one end, it sports a connector for the Wii's video output port and a USB plug for power. The other end features an HDMI port and a 3.5mm audio port (used to output sound when using a DV-I adapter). It's rather no-frills, except for a blue light which blinks when no signal is passing through the box, which stays solid while in use.
Connecting the device is, as one might expect, simple as pie. Insert Tab A into Slot B and you're all hooked up. You may not quite be finished yet, however. The VD-W3 does not automatically detect the maximum resolution of displays and adjust the output resolution to compensate. Instead, it uses a series of dip switches on the bottom of the device for configuration.
Personally, I prefer this design choice over automating the process as it's one less thing that can go wrong without my having caused the problem. But it may be a mild inconvenience to the odd user who moves their Wii between displays frequently.
There are a decent amount of options to work with, as well. The VD-W3 supports both 16:9 (480p/720p/1080i/1080p) and 4:3 aspect ratios (1280x1024/1440x900/1680x1050). There are also switches which adjust "Display Mode" and "Color Mode" with two options for each. Having played with all the combinations of these, I did not notice any difference between these modes, so I'm left wondering what exactly they do.
The primary function of this device is to enable Wii users to connect to displays which don't feature a composite or component input. And, for that, it works brilliantly. But what about the upscaling? Does it make the Wii look better on those fancy, high-definition displays?
Yes and no. It really seems to vary on a case-by-case basis. The edges of everything are softened, which takes some of the severity out of jagged lines. It works for some games, particularly ones where the palette used tends toward more muted tones. Particularly bright games, however, wind up suffering a bit. New Super Mario Bros. Wii wound up looking rather muddy at 1080p.
The Wii simply isn't designed to push out crisp, high-definition visuals and nothing is ever going to change that. This double-edged sword can help make some titles more palatable, but you will notice a detrimental effect on others, which makes it really hard to recommend from that standpoint. If you need a way to connect your Wii to an HDMI or DV-I display, this is an affordable and capable solution. At $59.99, it's easily half the price or less than most devices which handle this function in a universal capacity and gets the job done.
The VD-W3 can be purchased from VDIGI Electronics.
Contest:
2:00 PM on 05.13.2010
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When they do then every other console will have 3D and we will say WHY ARENT YOU SING 3D NINTENDO RARGH LAME HJSGJGSKGHHG
While I agree with your underlying premise, I personally doubt 3D will be as popular as some would like to think. HD, however, is damn near mandatory. There's no *good* reason (again, imho) that the Wii isn't HD, and it's the only reason I sold mine.
Most HDTVs should have a component input.
Also Native>Upscale ftw.
Obvious scam product is obvious.
You can get better signal quality with the right cables (A/V, component, or whatever the Wii supports will give different screen results), but there is not going to be an advantage in pixel multiplying, ever.
not saying that the review isn't appreciated, but i don't consider this a definitive review.
I need something becuase a few games are just....horrbile IMO.
Impressive, but not worth money.
1. If you have an HDTV, you already have an upscaler. It's built into your TV. That's how it converts from, for example, a 480p input into a 720/1024/1080p picture suitable for the display panel.
2. Some TVs have terrible built-in upscalers. They lose image detail, colour definition, can look awful during fast motion, show artifacts on diagonal lines (jaggies), introduce noise and so on. Some have good upscalers that show few of these problems.
3. Your TV's upscaler can be bypassed by feeding a 1080p input to it over HDMI.
4. External upscalers are available that provide a far superior conversion to that built in to any TV. These typically retail for thousands of pounds.
5. This is a cheap external upscaler. It will not beat those built into many TVs, but it will probably beat some, especially if you have an old screen from the early days of HDTVs.
External upscalers are not a con. They can dramatically improve image quality, turning something that looks like an off-focus LEGO scene into a more realistic-looking image more true to the original content.
This one doesn't look that great.
Now that I know it's a working product, I need to get it, because I'd really rather have my Wii hooked upto my Monitor rather than a CRT.
Great post, I agree completely. I have an old Westinghouse 1080p monitor that doesn't scale images particularly well,so something like this may work out well for me.
@jaycobo
You're an idiot, but don't worry, because it looks like you've got plenty of company here.
And Conrad Zimmerman, please don't review technology if you're not a tech guy. There are so many game journalists/bloggers who make this mistake. For the vast majority of Wii games, the Wii outputs a 480p signal, not 480i. A 480i to upscaled 1080p comparison is useless; of course the 1080p looks better. Also, none of the "4:3 aspect ratios" you mentioned are in 4:3.
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