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- Wii in HD...that's unpossible!
- Posted 10 months, 1 weeks ago by Jozzy V1
If you're like me (and, admit it, you know you are), you love video games. Why else would you be here if it weren't true? Also if you're like me, you love technology or "tech" as the kids are calling it these days, those crazy kids. It's ok to admit it, you're among friends here. So with that in mind I ask you one question: What is the biggest piece of tech in the modern gamers’ lifestyle? The correct answer: HDTV. If you guessed that, picture me giving you a cookie in your mind as you continue to read this article. If you don’t keep reading, picture Kirby stealing that cookie, and picture yourself with a sad face.
I purchased my first HDTV last year and was ecstatic to get it home and hooked up. Soon, I was basking in the glory of games like Bioshock and Uncharted, often finding myself panning my camera around just to notice the amazing visuals before me. My Wii and original Xbox were a different story however. Unfortunately, HDTV's are just not meant to display a standard definition picture. Now that I’m spoiled with high definition, I just can't look at my Wii the same way (insert tawdry comment here). Nintendo's vivid use of color in most of its first party games have become washed out, and Mario's mustache just doesn’t look as mighty as it used to. I tried everything to improve my poor picture: changing the settings on my TV, buying the most expensive component cables available, buying a better TV and even squinting until I looked like a moogle. But alas, there was no hope, and I came to terms with that, at least that is what I tell myself each day.
Then I had a revelation. Surround sound! I’m sure you’re looking at me like I’m crazy; wondering how sound has anything to do with video. You fool! It’s not the sound itself but what’s making the sound. Apparently, through the wonder of video processing, higher-end audio-video receivers can up convert any standard definition signal into a HD signal! It’s not cheap (the most affordable AV receiver I could find with this feature was the Harmon Kardon 247 for $500), but it will do the job nicely. For those of you who find the price tag harder to swallow than an Uwe Bol videogame movie, take a little comfort in knowing that any receiver selling for that many rupees’ is going to give you great sound as well. Another huge benefit is that any good receiver will act as a video switcher, which is great for the gamer that needs every system. When you consider that your average HDMI switchbox starts at $170, the Harmon Kardon doesn’t’ look that bad. Best of all, it will make you look like you have a shiny new Wii, and without invasive surgery!
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Comments
I might actually pick one of these up, it sounds so useful....
I did some research and it turns out there are lots of stand alone video converters. Juts search Google for "video upscaler", "video up-converter" or "HD equipment" and you should find some. They are pricey though.
tax return season is a-coming, this really gives me something to think about. the hdtv and the systems are the only high-end things we have, so it would be nice to have everything looking its best, wii included.
To my knowledge there isn't a stand alone device that will do the same job, but it's something to look into. Honestly, the majority of people who own an HDTV already have/are going to be getting a surround sound system, and $500 bucks for a reciever isn't that bad a price then you're getting a system in the first place. I wouldn't suggest getting a reciever like this just for the up conversion unless you have money to blow, or demand the best picture from your hardware, like me.
It just occurred to me but I wonder why if this exists there are no stand alone devices on the market that do the same. Are there? I might buy one just for my Wii but I can't see myself spending on a $500 receiver because I don't need all the extras.
P.S. I 2nd that. Nice article.
Great advice! I purchased component cables as soon as I got an HDTV, but the image can still be grainy. It really is ashame because the lack of HD has made me second guess my Wii. Why can't everything look as good as Uncharted? Nice article.
So it upscales the image? I can imagine it probably looks near as good as PS2 game upscaled on a PS3. But your right, looking at all the grain when playing a Wii game on a HDTV just sucks. It looks bad. At least give us some 720p!!