Cant the Wii be patched to support HD?

Cant the Wii be patched to support HD? · 11-22-2006, 04:01 PM

There is much speculation going round at the moment as to whether the Wii will support High Definition output later in the consoles life.

Here's a recent quote from Reggie Fils-Aime regarding the topic:

"Tough choices about not including a DVD player at the start, tough choices about not including high-definition capability at the start. That's because we wanted a mass-market price, and we believe the market will validate those decisions come launch day on this Sunday,".

To seek further clarification, gameinformer.com got in contact with a Nintendo rep who said that although such an accomplishment wasn't impossible, Nintendo have no current plans to upgrade the maximum resolution from 480p.

The rep went on to add that Microsoft was able to patch the Xbox 360 to support 1080p.

After all, Nintendo has already released a patch to allow Wii gamers to transfer game saves to SD cards.

Link: Game Informer Online

Kane Hart · 11-22-2006, 05:30 PM

No its simple.

Reason is cuz of the CPU specs. Yes the Nintendo rocks but with such little cpu theres no way it can run HD unless the game it runs hardly does anything lol.

But I have to say no it never will.

Taero · 11-22-2006, 05:38 PM

It would have read better if they'd put "At the start there were concerns" rather than the other way around as I feel this is what they meant to say, I agree that the Wii simply does't have the oomph to go up to 720p+

Kane Hart · 11-22-2006, 05:44 PM

I mean be nice they threw in a 2.0ghz would costs them another 20 bucks maybe if that and made 720 but hey the wii is made the way it is and we all love it anyways. Maybe next time

Evi1d33d · 11-22-2006, 06:44 PM

Gran Turismo 4 is able to run in 1080i on the PS2 without any problem. Technically 1080i(540p) only use slightly more processing power than 480p, so with some tweaking the developers should be able to produce 1080i without too much trouble.

jlspec · 11-22-2006, 09:25 PM

Didn't some XBOX games run in 720P? If so then some games for the Wii can be program to run in 720P also considering it's a more powerful consol compare to the Xbox.

Haz · 11-22-2006, 10:09 PM

I can't see Nintendo going down the path of HD for the Wii, they're probably already looking at a successor to the Wii already. I would suggest just getting your hands on a component cable and a TV with component input and progressive scan - you'll have a really nice and crisp picture without the cost of HD in the Wii console.

MetroidZ · 11-22-2006, 10:38 PM

wouldn't matter to me, i've got a standard TV.

Haz · 11-22-2006, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetroidZ

wouldn't matter to me, i've got a standard TV.

I think this is one of the main reasons behind Nintendo not going HD. The percentage of people who own an HD TV is not as high as the media make out (those BBC adverts!) and also those that have an HD TV, do you actualy have a spare HD input socket after you've pluged in your SKY+ and HD DVD player??

MetroidZ · 11-22-2006, 10:44 PM

yeah, it is only about 5% of the population world wide that has a HDTV but they are getting cheaper and more common (I'm not too bothered).

but I won't see much of a graphics leap from the gamecube because my image isn't as crisp as a HDTV.

Cabe · 11-23-2006, 08:40 AM

I don't have an HDTV either. I'm planning on buying one around March though

Link_of_Hyrule · 11-23-2006, 08:43 AM

HDTV BLOWS! lol who needs it

Ranathis · 11-23-2006, 01:03 PM

Personally I really wouldn't all care that much for the HD functionality. I don't have an HD TV, and from what I've seen from my friends 360 and his HD setup, It really doesn't add all that much, and for the price of a decent HDTV, It better actually make the game look good!

kenn · 11-23-2006, 02:30 PM

Correct me if I am wrong, but at one point wasn't 480P one of the "early" HD modes?

Kane Hart · 11-23-2006, 03:05 PM

yes and no it kind of is but its more widescreen then hd. I wanted see what a 480 look like before got a wii on my HDTV on 360 for anyone who does not have a wii yet can scale down that low and play a game to check out what wii would look like.

Its not going to look as crisp or clean unless you have a tubed hd tv. then look a bit better at 480 rather then a hd lcd.

Taero · 11-23-2006, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlspec

Didn't some XBOX games run in 720P? If so then some games for the Wii can be program to run in 720P also considering it's a more powerful consol compare to the Xbox.

Actually I can't remember where I saw the comparison now but the Wii is actually about 3mhz slower than the XBox as is its GPU, just wanted to put that in but sure if the XBox could do it so could the Wii.

NateTheGreat · 11-23-2006, 05:16 PM

While 1080p would be crazy, 720p seems reasonable, doesn't it. I wish Nintendo didn't feel the need to be all or nothing. 720p would be a nice compromise in my opinion.

JorgieX · 11-23-2006, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haz

I think this is one of the main reasons behind Nintendo not going HD. The percentage of people who own an HD TV is not as high as the media make out (those BBC adverts!) and also those that have an HD TV, do you actualy have a spare HD input socket after you've pluged in your SKY+ and HD DVD player??

Yeah but by this time next year almost everyone will own a set that at least supports 720p since they are costing under 500.00 now a days at least for the 20" sets and many under 999.99 for 30" and under.. By next year even cheaper so for now it's cool but in just another year it will not be cool. I mean even my grandmother said she wanted one of those HDTVs...! lol
I guess I'll just be happy if Nintendo would start selling the COMPONENT cable. Peace

h2oz7v · 11-23-2006, 08:13 PM

I was thinking about going Component for the Gamecube not long ago. Decided against it because of the sheer price of the cable and how difficult it was to get hold of one. It didnt sell for the Gamecube so I doubt they're put much effort in HD for Wii.

True RGB Scart is gladfully enough for me!

fuseman13 · 11-24-2006, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenn

Correct me if I am wrong, but at one point wasn't 480P one of the "early" HD modes?

Yes, it was considered one of the first. This is the format that coined the phase DTV or Digital TV after it was decided that 720p and 1080i were going to be the standard.

Just so you all know, 480p is double the resolution of 480i. So by going with the component cable, you are making a huge jump. The broadcast channel FOX started with 480p back almost 3 years ago. They used to broadcast sporting events and Nascar. Just that alone was a HUGE improvment over SD video.

Also, 720p is just about the same as 1080i. The difference is mostly the fact one is interlaced and one is progressive. Typiclly fast moving images, like action movies or live sporting events, look better on a progressive input where things like slow imaging drama movies, documentaries, or even just typical TV shows like CSI or LOST.

1080p is double what 1080i is. The biggest issue with 1080p right now is lack of true 1080p content. Most movies are not even being shot in 1080p right now so 1080i looks just as good because the most people are using 1080i as there content format.

Personally, I can't wait to get my hand on the component cables for my Wii. You guys should also realize, most of the games the original XBOX came out with were 480p. It was quite some time before they started to release most of there titles at higher resolution rates.